“We had been looking for ways to maximise the efficiency of our manufacturing operations and increase production on our acoustic and insulation lines particularly during busier times when there was an increase in demand,” explained Tim Dalton, general manager at AIM.“It was also important that we continued to reduce the amount of solvent-based adhesives we were using on site, and if we could eliminate solvents and increase output then we were on to a winner.”
To achieve these goals, the company approached existing supplier Chemique Adhesives. After assessing its operations, Chemique put into place a plan of testing using less-hazardous hot-melt adhesives.
“Looking at their current set-up, we were able to offer a high-performance alternative to a solvent-based adhesive that would allow for a better manufacturing and application process, while eliminating the use of hazardous solvents,” said Bob Lovegrove, Chemique Adhesives business development manager.
Samples of the material to be bonded were tested in the laboratory by the technical team at Chemique Adhesives and the test results confirmed that a hot-melt adhesive would be an ideal solution. The adhesive has a high initial tack, long open time and can adhere to a variety of substrates that are regularly used as part of AIM’s manufacturing processes.
Lovegrove commented: “We were able to provide AIM with an alternative to a solvent based adhesive and that was a hot-melt system which would eliminate the need for additional extraction systems and provide the freedom to be able to spray hot-melt anywhere in the factory. As well as this, the new environmentally friendly hot-melt requires only a one-way stick, unlike the existing solvent-based adhesive that had to be a two-way stick, so this has resulted in a faster production time.”
“The new holt melt system is working really well for us and we have already seen improved efficiency and productivity,” said Dalton.
