Bonding and gasketing of control cabinets

One plant for both applications enables efficient series production

The series production of control cabinets requires high cost-effectiveness and efficiency, like all production processes. Individual work processes need to be integrated smoothly into the overall production process and offer optimisation benefits. In addition, given the current increase in raw material prices, cost savings need to be made. DOPAG constructed a partially automated system that meets these requirements for a European manufacturer of control cabinets, DKC UNGHERIA from Hungary. The dynamicLine metering and mixing system is suitable for two applications required in the production of control cabinets – gasketing and bonding. The project was carried out in close collaboration with DOPAG’s sales partner DAFA Italia.

The requirement:
DKC is one of the leading manufacturers of cable trays, control cabinets and housings for electronics and IT. During production, a polyurethane (PU) gasket needs to be applied to the control cabinet doors. This protects the electronic components inside from dirt, dust and moisture. The metal frames of the doors also need to be bonded securely to the glass pane. The company wants to make the entire production process as efficient as possible, save production space and simplify the handling of large components. 

The solution:
With dynamicLine from DOPAG, the company will be able to carry out both applications in the future – gasketing and bonding – with a single system. The dynamic mixing head is the beating heart of dynamicLine. It meters and mixes highly reactive materials with high precision and reliability. The material is applied with the aid of a linear robot. The control cabinet doors are supplied using shuttle sliding tables.

The system processes a total of three components for the two applications. Polyurethane is required for each application. There is also an isocyanate which is reactive with each of the polyurethanes that are used separately. The materials are supplied by means of three pressure tanks. The containers are temperature-controlled, enabling consistent production conditions even in the case of changing ambient temperatures. The control cabinet doors are manufactured individually. First, a gasket is applied to all components, then they are bonded. Switching between the two applications is a simple process. The relevant programme can be selected using the mobile control panel. The mixing head simply needs to be rinsed on changing. This is carried out using water, in an environmentally friendly manner with no need for solvent. No components need to be changed.

The shuttle sliding table enables convenient, rapid handling. Two movable tables are positioned next to one another. While the material is being applied on one table, the components can already be removed or placed on the next table. Both the PU gasket and the adhesive bead harden at room temperature. A nozzle-closing system (NCS) ensures a clean metering process. It prevents the material from dripping. Undesired contamination of the components or the shuttle sliding tables is prevented.

In addition, a protective housing in accordance with the standard for obtaining the CE declaration of conformity ensures a high level of safety in ongoing production. Furthermore, DOPAG experts can access the system online at any time via remote service. This enables questions and problems during production to be addressed and resolved quickly.  

Benefits of dynamicLine:

  • Gasketing, bonding and potting with a single system
  • High flexibility in production thanks to linear robots, shuttle sliding tables or industrial robots
  • High environmental friendliness: the system is rinsed and cleaned using water, with no need for solvent.
  • Short cycle times enable efficient, automated production.