How to Design a Hot-Melt System for Bead Deposition?

[MMCS]

Hi,

I have been given a project to design a system that can "bead deposit" thermoplastic. I have found this resource,



It is basically an adhesive deposition system used for packaging in industry.

So I think this is a good place to start, by trying to create a simplified version of this.

I was thinking of an open top tank that would heat the thermoplastic, this would be connected to a geared pump, which in turn would be connected to an automatic solenoid valve.

does anybody have an experience with this sort of system or suggestions? would this work? or would i need a pressurized tank? What would be my first step to build a system like this?

NOTE: i do not need to create the x-y movement axis, or anything else, just the process of melting the material and depositing it

Cheers

 

[billy_joule]

I think melting an entire tank of plastic is excessive. Just heat the nozzle and force the solid plastic through, just like a fdm 3d printer or hot glue gun works. No need for a valve.

 

[MMCS]

@billy_joule Hey, thanks for your reply. That's a good point. Would i be able to achieve the bead deposition with this method? I should have stated as well in my original question, that ideally this machine should be able to deposit around 1500-300 beads per minute, would this be achievable using fdm?