Changes in Dispensing Technologies for Tapes and Hot Melt Adhesives
Low-volume packagers, however, often seal with tape rather than hot melt adhesive, citing ease of use (rather than speed) as the main reason. Tape is convenient and familiar — a material frequently used at home or the office — whereas hot melt adhesive carries a Material Safety Data Sheet as an industrial adhesive. It must be heated correctly before application.
The convenience of using tape for low-volume packaging production can save time and money. A tape machine does not require warm-up time and typically costs less than a hot melt machine. Although the cost of tape is higher and work flow often stops whenever a tape head is changed, low-volume packagers seldom accumulate considerable cost overruns or downtime as a result.