With very limited knowledge of pressure sensitive materials, the company believed that the principles embodied in the tesacohesion™ programme, incorporating the expertise of tesa's people with products designed to solve specific industry issues and enhance process efficiencies, would play a key role in identifying areas for improvement.
Mathew Lord, Sales Area Manager at tesa UK, visited Alan Nuttall Ltd's premises in Hinckley to present a range of tape solutions, including tesa's latest innovative tesa® ACXplus double sided tape, and a review of all current bonding applications was undertaken.
The tesacohesion team looked at specific applications where double-sided tape could replace rivets, welding and other mechanical fixings in the assembly of ambient, refrigerated and heated products, subject to temperatures from -8°C to +120°C .
tesa conducted a bonding workshop and training sessions for staff working on the factory floor to provide awareness of the products and their benefits, with feedback received on any concerns raised in making the necessary operating and environmental changes. Meetings also took place with the Design & Production teams to ensure tesa's products would be considered and applied to all future projects and designs.
Following a thorough testing programme, the tesa® ACXplus range was identified as the perfect solution, with its high temperature tolerance, superior strength and unique viscoelastic properties which provide excellent stress dissipation across different substrates.
tesa® ACXplus7074 is now being used to bond metal components which need to be powder coated, replacing spot welding and reducing associated costs, providing a quicker process and achieving an invisible bond.
Similarly, tesa® ACXplus7063 is being used as an alternative to permanent mechanical fasteners or liquid adhesives to simplify the process and make it more efficient.
Mick Steele, Technical Director at Alan Nuttall Ltd, has already seen improvements. "The tesa products we have introduced into our processes are saving up to 20% production time and allowing us to use differential materials in the production process to provide better aesthetics.
We are very pleased with the dedication and effort that Mat and the tesacohesion team has given to our company. Their extensive knowledge and advice has proved crucial in helping us to realise the benefits of moving away from mechanical fixings and welding."
As a result of the relationship between Alan Nuttall Ltd and tesa, the company is now creating tape application areas within its manufacturing plants at Hinckley and Dudley to ensure the bonding process is controlled and in-line with tesa's recommendations. tesa has also supplied dispensing equipment free of charge.
tesa's Mat Lord summarises "The concept of using double-sided tape has been fully embraced by Alan Nuttall Ltd and this change in focus has been adapted into all divisions of the company in the UK. We have formed a long-standing and strategic partnership which will provide the platform for them to remain at the forefront of their industry for many years to come."
