The most common type of hot melt system used on packaging lines is a manual fill system. With manual fill systems, there are several roadblocks that can occur with safety and productivity that many companies are experiencing. Universal Systems SE took those concerns into consideration when designing our ProBilt™ Phoenix auto-fill system.

It is first important to understand how a hot melt system works. Hot melt adhesive application systems house a Teflon® coated interior tank, where the glue pellets are added and melted. The glue is then pumped out, travelling through a heated hose, into an applicator gun, through a module and nozzle, finally landing the glue at its final destination.

Universal Systems SE has ProBilt™ tanks that range from an 8 lb (4L) capacity, up to a 20 lb (10 L) capacity. Depending on how many hours per day the packaging line is operated, and the size of the glue tank needed, line operators are in charge of making sure that there are always glue pellets in the melter. Running low on glue inside the melter tank can cause a plethora of issues with the system. One of the most common issues is running the pump dry. If a line operator lets the tank run dry and the pump “shotguns”, the pump or shifter can fail. Honestly, that is the most common cause for pump rebuilds that we see in our shop. The easy solution to this is making sure that the tank is always full with pellets.

However, consistent tank filling can increase the risk of other potential issues. The first, is that it increases the risk to employees. Since the tank runs anywhere between 200 – 400 degrees, it is HOT. If a line operator is in a rush or makes one careless move, they can easily be burned by the pot. Another issue is that when you open the tank lid to refill with pellets, cold air flows into the tank and cools down the internal temperature. If the glue is continuously getting hot and cold, it could negatively impact its bonding ability.

These potential issues prompted Universal Systems to develop and release our ProBilt™ Phoenix auto-fill system in 2018. Unlike with manual filling, the automatic filling process does not require the line operator to fill glue pellets directly into the hot tank. Operators fill the free-standing container, which is separate from the tank. The glue pellets are then deposited into the internal pot via the vacuum and wand system when the internal tank glue level is low. The Phoenix is available in two tank capacities, the 15 lb and 20 lb units. Each glue container has maximum and minimum fill lines so that line operators know how much or how little to fill the pellets. Since the containers can hold much more glue than a standard heated pot, line operators no longer need to worry about checking the melters as often as with a manual system. This will also ensure that line operators will not get burned and that the glue inside the pot will stay consistently heated, creating maximum bonding ability.

For more information about the ProBilt™ Phoenix auto-fill system, contact Universal Systems SE at (561) 272-5442 or email sales@ussefl.com.