UV adhesive dosing in blood glucose sensor manufacturing
Reliable dosing of 0.8 mg in fully automated assembly
Blood glucose sensors are manufactured in fully automated assembly lines with high production volumes and short cycle times. In a critical process step, UV adhesive is applied in very small quantities with high dynamic performance and minimal pulsation. This requires precision dosing technology capable of delivering micro doses reproducibly, bubble free, and with long term process stability.
For this purpose, micro annular gear pumps are integrated into robot-assisted dosing systems. The dosing units are mounted on articulated robot arms, while the component is fixed in place. This setup enables precise circular bead application as well as dot application into grooves and cavities of the sensor component. Typical dosing quantities range from 0.8 mg to 20 mg within tight tolerances.
What requirements does UV adhesive dosing in high-volume sensor production impose?
In automated high-volume production, repeatability and process reliability are critical. The application requires:
- highly precise, low-pulsation micro dosing
- reproducible flow rates over extended production cycles
- bubble free application in ring and dot geometries
- dosing quantities between 0.8 mg and 20 mg within tight tolerances
- short dosing times at high cycle rates
- gentle handling of shear-sensitive UV adhesive
Dosing accuracy directly affects sensor functionality, long-term reliability, and scrap rates in high-volume medical device production.
How is the technical implementation achieved?
The system utilizes a micro annular gear pump mzr-2905 with FDA-compliant elastomers and FDA-compliant shaft sealing. The pump is material- and ADI-free certified, making it suitable for regulated medical applications.
The low-shear operating principle ensures gentle handling of the UV adhesive despite high dosing dynamics. A defined minimal reverse rotation ensures a clean dispensing needle and supports consistent dosing quality throughout high-volume production.
The DC servo motor with integrated microcontroller is fully monitored and digitally controlled directly by the PLC. EtherCAT, CANopen, RS232, and digital I/O interfaces allow seamless integration into existing control architectures and quality monitoring systems.
What benefits does this provide for automated sensor manufacturing?
By integrating micro annular gear pumps, the dosing system can:
- ensure highly dynamic and reproducible UV adhesive dosing in high-volume production
- maintain stable and reproducible flow rates with minimal pulsation
- achieve precise ring and dot geometries within tight tolerances
- reduce scrap rates through bubble-free application
- handle shear-sensitive media with low mechanical stress
- meet regulatory requirements in medical device manufacturing
These micro annular gear pumps thus form a key basis for reliable sensor manufacturing, low waste rates, reproducible dosing quality and suitability for automated production processes in a regulated environment.