learning and development in sticking

Kevin Brownsill, Head of Technical: Learning and Development at Adhesives and Dispensing Equipment Supplier intertronicsDiscusses the importance of training.

While it may initially seem like a simple task, adhesive bonding can be an important and challenging part of your product design. Each application is different and establishing what works best involves detailed discussion and testing. For design engineers without specialist adhesive experience, attending dedicated training can help set up a project for success. This gives them a knowledge base that can help them move forward with a project with their adhesive partner more easily.

With a shortage of UK engineers and around 20% of the workforce set to retire by 2026, training and upskilling is on the minds of many British manufacturing leaders, according to the engineering and construction industry trade body. In addition, as the boundaries between traditional engineering fields such as mechanical engineering and electrical engineering begin to blur, engineers may take on more multidisciplinary roles. Training in areas outside an engineer’s core competencies can help project teams make faster progress when faced with new challenges.

Adhesion and Dispensing Training

Selecting a suitable adhesive is vital to the success of a design project – it will help the product pass the test and ensure the bond lasts for the lifetime of the product. Along with material choice, designing an appropriate bonding process with simplicity and robustness is critical to the productivity of the manufacturing process.

It is difficult to select adhesives, dispensing and curing equipment using only desk research; What works in practice doesn’t always work in theory – data sheets may not always give the same insight as practical observations and tests. However, many design engineers do not have dedicated training or experience working with adhesives and processing equipment.

Increasing opportunities for learning and development about adhesives and dispensing will help design projects run more smoothly across British construction businesses. This will help engineers understand at what point to approach their adhesive partner, and what questions to ask to help the project move forward smoothly. So, which areas are most important to prioritize training?

adhesives, dispensing and curing equipment

Specifying a structural adhesive is both an art and a science. With an increasing number of structural adhesives on the market, it can be difficult to keep up with industry advances and choose the best materials to evaluate. There are many factors to consider that influence the decision, and these may vary depending on the preferences of an individual application. A good starting point for engineers is to know what questions to ask when specifying adhesives, as well as investing time in training on the different types of adhesive chemistries and their advantages.

The development of a robust, consistent and validable adhesive process depends on choosing the proper delivery and curing method. There are always options, from manual to semi-automatic and automatic, with varying levels of speed, accuracy, and repeatability. Training is available that covers variables to consider when specifying application equipment, as well as providing an understanding of the benefits and limitations of available delivery and treatment options.

One particularly important area is productivity, so construction teams may wish to arrange sessions that highlight particular areas of a process that can be improved. Materials are difficult to replace once the process is up and running, so training can cover handling, distribution and automation in detail. For example, there is a common misconception that automating a process requires a complete overhaul. We want to educate the market that you can improve a process from manual to automated or semi-automated in a way that is manageable and provides a return on investment.

As engineering talent shortages affect British manufacturers, specialist training is a useful tool to bridge knowledge gaps in specialized areas.

Intertronics has always recognized the role of training in helping its customers establish successful processes. To share the knowledge and insight gained from over 30 years in the industry, and from our work with thousands of UK SMEs, we now offer an extensive range of seminars, webinars and 1-2-1 training. These can be delivered online or in person at a customer’s site or at our technology center near Oxford.

Kevin Brownsill will present a seminar on The Latest in Medical Adhesives at Med-Tech Innovation Expo on June 8 at 12:20 PM. To register for your free pass for June 7-8 at the NEC, Birmingham, please visit www.medtechexpo.com.