What is Old is New Again
Every year, some hot new product comes out and promises you the world. Then, when you get it, you realize that the “latest technology” is more frustrating and causes more trouble than it’s worth. Not only does it cost you more money initially, the maintenance and unreliability seem to also increase. The same thing has happened with some of the largest hot melt manufacturers. Their latest technology that has been implemented in all of their new systems to make your line operator’s life easier, can potentially make it harder and more expensive.
Which is why Universal Systems SE is dedicated to keeping our current high standard of precision engineering, but with our existing look and ease-of-use technology. Universal Systems SE is standing behind our current key attributes: reliability, long life span, economical pricing and simple but effective operation. Why add more bells and whistles when the current tried and true works just fine.
Tried and True ProBilt® Product Features:
10-year tank warranty.
User-friendly design for easy installation, simplistic operation, and minimal maintenance.
AccuScan Control System with on board microprocessor and keypad controls for melter, heated hoses and adhesive applicators.
“One touch” setback key for standby mode.
Parent machine interfacing.
External fault alarm interfacing.
Under temperature and over temperature protection on all zones.
Faults trigger both visual indicators as well as an audible alarm.
RTD temperature control with self-diagnostic digital temperature readings within +/- 1 degree.
LCD display for both temperature and system status.
Teflon® coated tank.
Stainless steel and high strength aluminum construction allows easy cleaning and unequaled durability.
14:1 ratio balanced pneumatic piston pump.
Self-sealing, full opening lids for easy loading and maintenance.
For more information on Universal Systems SE’s line of ProBilt® products, please call (800) 848-5018 or email sales@ussefl.com.
A Class Above the Rest
There are five main components that should go into your search for the right hot melt equipment manufacturer: Innovation, Knowledge, Quality, Price & Compatibility. Universal Systems SE has made it our top priority, over the last four decades, to ensure our customers get all of these. We do not compromise price for service and we stand behind all of our equipment with the strongest warranty program in the industry.
Innovation
Universal Systems SE has just launched our latest product in the ProBilt Series: The ProBilt Phoneix. This on-demand melter system allows packagers to melt and use adhesive only when they need it. The adhesive storage container eliminates the need to manually fill the melter tank, reducing adhesive spillage and waste, while improving safety. Our state of the art adhesive sensor and innovative vacuum technology will automatically fill your tank with adhesive to your desired level.
Universal Systems SE also manufactures 8 lb., 12 lb., 15 lb., 20 lb. and 40 lb. tanks that are the same footprint as most Nordson melters on the market. Our ProBilt systems continue to lead the industry with minimal down-time, easy to operate components and consumer flexibility.
Knowledge
When researching manufacturers to partner with, knowledge and availability are key. Our technicians have over 40 years’ experience in the hot melt industry and can help solve almost every issue you might run in to, because we have seen it all! Universal Systems SE’s facility is located in the United States and we are available for service calls, even if it’s a video conference to walk through any issues you might be experiencing.
Warranty, Price, Compatibility
We stand behind all of our products 100%, which is why we offer the longest warranty in the industry on our ProBilt tanks, 10 years! Also, if you find a cheaper rate from another direct manufacturer, which we are confident you won’t, we will match that price! Whether the pricing is from Nordson, Graco, ITW Dynatec or Robatech. We also ensure that almost all of our equipment is Nordson compatible. This means that even if you bought your main hot melt machine from Nordson you don’t have to stay with them forever. Even if your Nordson melter has been discontinued, such as the 2300 or 300 Series, you can still buy all of your replacement parts from USSE. We will warranty all parts that you buy from us, even if they are being paired with a competitor part.
For more information on Universal Systems SE or the ProBilt Series, please contact us at (561) 272-5442 or email us at sales@ussefl.com.
The Purpose of Cartridge Heaters
The purpose of a cartridge heater is the heat metal parts by inserting them into predetermined spaces of the parts. The most common use of cartridge heaters in the hot melt industry, is for heating all automatic applicators, all hand guns, and sometimes even melters. They are very easy to install as the heaters are made slightly undersized relative to their nominal diameter.
It is recommended that the watt density of a cartridge heater only be as high as needed. Under normal applications maximum watt density is not required. Safety margins usually are rated by using less than the maximum allowed. Rather than having the highest possible wattage per heater, heaters should be selected that give a more even heat pattern.
In the hot melt equipment industry, watt densities are usually high rather than medium. In machining the applicators that receive the heaters, holes are drilled and reamed to exact tolerances. In a high watt density application, a very close fit is important. This style cartridge heater should have a hole tolerance of plus or minus .003. After holes have been properly drilled and reamed they should be cleaned and degreased to remove any remaining cutting debris.
Watt density is the heat flow rate or surface loading of a cartridge heater. It is the number of watts per square inch of a heated surface area. Watt density calculation would be as follows.
Watt Density = wattage / (pi x diameter x heated length)
The heater cartridges in hot melt systems and their components are normally controlled by a master temperature controller on the hot melt units themselves. The temperature controllers on the hot melt units read RTD sensors to control the temperature of the heaters. RTD sensors are found in all components of a hot melt system including the tank, the heated hoses, and all heated applicators.
To find out more about our cartridge heaters please visit our website at www.universalsystemsse.com or call us at (561) 272-5442 or email us at sales@ussefl.com.
Top 10 Tips for Maintaining Your Hot Melt Machine
Hot melt machines are an important investment into the efficiency of your packaging line. Just like any important investment, you want to make sure that you are maintaining your hot melt machines to limit downtime and minimize expenses.
Below are the top 10 maintenance recommendations to ensure you get the most out of your Universal Systems machine.
1) Replace Melter Filter after 500 Hours
2) Clean Melter Tank with Purge Plus™ after 1,000 Hours
3) Clean and Flush Pump after 2,500 Hours
4) Replace Pump after 5,000 Hours
5) Replace Hose only when it stops heating
6) Replace In-Line Filters after 150 Hours
7) Replace Gun Head only when it stops heating
8) Change Module Every 1,000 Hours
9) Replace Nozzle Every 120 Hours
10) Depending on how many lines you are running, make sure you keep enough spares of each in stock.
Universal Systems SE stocks all of the above and can ship almost anything same day. For more information on how to operate your hot melt systems or perform maintenance on your system, please check out our YouTube channel.
For pricing on any items, please reach out to one of our sales representatives at sales@ussefl.com or feel free to call our corporate office at 1-800-848-5018.
Hot Melt Equipment Compatibility
Most all packaging lines come with an already installed hot melt adhesive system. This is the entire system that melts the adhesive pellets and transfers that adhesive to the boxes before they are sealed.
It is important to know that just because your packaging line comes with a hot melt system, that does not mean you need to buy the exact brand name replacement parts. Universal Systems SE manufactures an array of hot melt components and equipment at economical prices, that are most likely compatible with your current system.
The key term to focus on is compatibility. The devices and parts used to construct an applicator system are in depth, and we know they can get confusing. Not only do you need the melter itself, but you also need applicator gun heads, modules, nozzles, hoses and pumps.
Choosing the right part, or replacement part, to best fit your company’s needs may be difficult. Universal Systems SE has tried to make this process easier by building our technology to be compatible with all of our largest competitors. We also offer online search capabilities and list all cross-reference part numbers on our website, so that you can match your current part with our Universal Systems part number. This helps to eliminate confusion when ordering replacement components.
Example Cross-Reference Compatibility Comparisons:
ProBilt™ 20 Melter – Compatible to Nordson® P10, 3500 Series, 2300 Series
ClearFlow™ Hoses 4100 Series – Compatible to Nordson® 107286, 107287, 107288, 107289, 107310, 104008, 223838, 100832
ProBilt™ H200 Module #29219 – Compatible to Nordson® 1052925, 1048115
In addition to compatibility, Universal Systems offers one of the longest product warranties in the market. So not only will you be purchasing a component that is more economical for your budget, it will last you longer than your current parts.
With a combined experience of over 40+ years in the hot melt industry, Universal Systems offers the highest level of technical support. If you have a question on a part or if your machine is no longer running at its maximum capacity, just call in and speak with a technician.
If you need more information on how you can get the best pricing on hot melt applicator units, call USSE today at 1-800-848-5018 or visit our website at www.ussefl.com. When you click on a product of interest on the site, USSE will show you all of the cross-referenced product numbers from our competitors that this part is compatible with.
How Cartridge Heaters are Made and Why They Fail
There are two methods of manufacturing cartridge heaters to ensure a useful life and not have them fail prematurely. The first is a standard cartridge heater and the second is a swaged cartridge heater. Even though both cartridge heaters might look identical on the outside, they are constructed very differently. Standard cartridge heaters are the most commonly used, but if you need to operate at higher temperatures and vibration applications, then you will need a swagged cartridge heater.
A standard cartridge heater has nichrome wire heater coils that are weaved through holes in the ceramic tubing. Pure magnesium oxide filler is vibrated into the holes, heating the coils to allow maximum heat transfer to the stainless-steel sheath.
A swaged cartridge heater’s nichrome wire is wound tightly around a ceramic core, to situate it in close proximity to the heater sheath. Pure magnesium oxide is vibrated in and the heater is swaged to a specific diameter. This compresses the magnesium oxide so it becomes an improved conductor of heat from the wire while maintaining its dielectric properties. This is why it works so well with high temperatures.
The useful life of a cartridge heating element is determined by how quickly the heat generated in the resistance wire can be dissipated to the outside sheath. So why do cartridge heaters fail and sometimes prematurely? The reasons include improper fit, moisture, watt density is too high or if you are using the incorrect voltage.
Improper fit is the most common cause of cartridge heater failure. If the cartridge does not fit into the hole it is inserted, then the heater cannot dissipate the heat being generated by contact with the sheath. So, in effect, the temperature inside the heater will continue to rise until the magnesium oxide or resistance wire breaks down and the heater fails.
If moisture or impurities are present they can be drawn into the heater. Because magnesium oxide is hydroscopic, every time power to electric heaters is eliminated, an internal vacuum occurs which draws in air from the surrounding area. This vacuum can cause a short circuit.
Finally, make sure that the wattage density isn’t too high and that you are using the correct voltage. Either of these issues can a cartridge heater to fail.
If you have any other questions about your cartridge heaters, please call us at (561) 272-5442 and one of our technicians can help you diagnose any cartridge heater problems.
From Leaves and Baskets to Hot Melt and High Speed Packaging
People have been packaging products for thousands of years. From the time the earliest humans stepped out to go on a long hunt, it was necessary to wrap food for the journey in something – be it leaves or grass – in order to keep the food from spoiling. As time progressed, new innovations allowed new foods to be packaged for transportation. And innovations were made to package non-food items, as well. Packaging allows for the easy transport of anything and everything that people produce.
But fast-forward a few thousand years. People no longer produce things on a small scale. Even when an entire year’s worth of a harvest was required to be packaged for transport across the country, it did not compare to the production capacity of the twentieth century. New manufacturing technology has made it possible to produce thousands of pieces of a product in a single day. Anyone who has walked into a big-box store or supermarket has experienced firsthand the overwhelming mass production that is possible with modern techniques.
With high-speed production comes the need for high-speed packaging. This is not something that can be accomplished by hand, and requires specialized machines and technology for the process. An important part of high-speed packaging is hot melt equipment. Since hot melt is literally what holds the packaging in an industrial world together.
Hot melt glue has the ability to rapidly cool and bond materials, which allows manufacturers to quickly seal and secure products. Companies across all industries know if items are not properly packaged and available to ship immediately after production, they will lose money. Humans continue to build on the idea of wrapping things in leaves and putting items in a containers for transport. The key to continued progress is incorporating new technologies as well as adapting to the needs of an ever changing global market.
The Growth of Hot Melt Adhesive Systems
Unlike water and solvent based adhesives, the adhesives used in a hot melt system do not require any dryer after being applied. This gives these machines a unique and efficient advantage over other types of adhesives being used. Also known as “hot glue,” hot melt is a thermoplastic adhesive that begins to bond as soon as it’s applied to the object due to it being able to cool down to its solidification point almost immediately.
Who Benefits With Hot Melt Adhesive Systems?
Hot melt adhesive is ideal for those who work throughout several industries. This type of adhesive equipment is ideal industrial applications that include, but are not limited to:
- Bonding versatility.
- High-speed manufacturing.
- Minimal shrinkage.
- Large gap filling.
Within the packaging industry, hot melt adhesive systems are extremely popular because they allow for major applications to be accomplished in a faster time while increasing production value. Whether you work in construction, woodworking, stock and tape manufacturing, bottle labeling, or any type of bonding industry, this adhesive system can only benefit your business.
Using a Hot Melt System
With a majority of hot melt glues being composed of polyolefin compounds, acrylics, polyamides, and urethane materials, there’s no need for any pre-surface treatment when you begin bonding. Hot melts are easy to apply systems because the only process is turning a solid into a liquid then it immediately turns back into a solid (remember: no dry time). Although durable and long lasting, this type of adhesive is easy to repair by reheating and re-separating.
If you think a hot melt adhesive system can benefit you and your business, contact us at Universal Systems and we can inform you of the equipment that has the best benefits in terms of what you’re attempting to achieve.
How Advanced Adhesive Systems Benefit Your Business
Within production corporations, advanced adhesive systems are beginning to play a larger role in terms of joining agents, fasteners, and sealants because they’re proving to be stronger than the standard bolts and rivets. When you have severely strong bonds that were created by an adhesive formula, you’ll notice that your machine and tool construction has been enhanced. Plus, using adhesives allows for any tools or machinery to be lighter, stronger, and last longer.
If you’re using bolts and rivets, your product won’t be able to absorb shock from shipping like another bonding agent like a strong adhesive will be able to do. When you invest in adhesive machinery, or a hot melt system, you’re keeping your products above production value because adhesives allow you to create a stronger product that will survive any type of deformation or stress caused by:
- Heavy Impact
- Load Transfer
- Thermal Expansion
- Vibration
Adhesive hot melt equipment can be used to join together carbon steel, plastics, and other composites that will increase the value of your product and make production easier. With the machine industry being one of the least explored sectors in terms of technological potential, advanced adhesive systems are certainly making a name for themselves throughout today’s machine shops.
In the event that you want to add an adhesive system to your business, you want to make sure that you choose a retailer that can assist you with any issues you may run into. Whether there’s a problem with the machine and it needs a repair, or if you just need troubleshooting tips – find an adhesive system retailer that you can trust. Especially if you’re introducing your hot melt system into your business as soon as it’s received.