Learning and development in the adhesives industry
EDITOR ’ S CHOICE THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAINING
INTERTRONICS
Learning and development in the adhesives industry
Though it may seem initially like a simple task , adhesive bonding may be a vital and challenging part of your product design . Every application is different , and establishing what works best involves detailed discussions and testing . For design engineers without specialist adhesives experience , participating in dedicated training can help set a project up for success . This gives them a foundation of knowledge that can help them progress a project with their adhesives partner more smoothly .
Here Kevin Brownsill , Head of Technical : Learning and Development at adhesives and dispensing equipment supplier Intertronics , discusses the importance of training .
With a shortage of UK engineers , and around 20 % of the workforce due to retire by 2026 according to the Engineering and Construction Industry Trade Body , training and upskilling is on the minds of many British manufacturing leaders . In addition , as the boundaries between traditional engineering fields like mechanical engineering and electrical engineering are beginning to blur , engineers may take on more multidisciplinary roles . Training in areas outside of an engineer ’ s core competencies can help project teams progress faster when they are faced with new challenges .
Adhesives and dispensing training Selecting an appropriate adhesive is key to the success of a design project - it will help the product pass testing and ensure that the bond lasts the lifetime of the product . Alongside material choice , designing a suitable bonding process with simplicity and robustness is critical to the productivity of the manufacturing process .
Selecting adhesives , dispensing and curing equipment is difficult to get right using desk research alone ; what works in practice doesn ’ t always work in theory — the data sheet may not always give the same insights as practical observations and tests . However , many design engineers have not had dedicated training or experience working with adhesives and processing equipment .
Increasing the opportunities for learning
and development around adhesives and dispensing will help design projects in British manufacturing businesses run more smoothly . It will help engineers understand at what point to contact their adhesives partner , and what questions to ask to help the project progress smoothly . So , what areas are most important to prioritise training in ?
ADHESIVES , DISPENSING AND CURING EQUIPMENT
Specifying a structural adhesive is both an art and a science . There are an increasing number of structural adhesives on the market , so it can be difficult to keep up with industry advances and choose the best materials to evaluate . There are various factors to consider that influence the decision , and these may differ depending on the priorities of an individual application . A good starting point for engineers is to know what questions to ask when specifying an adhesive , as well as to invest time in training on the different types of adhesive chemistries and their advantages .
Developing a robust , consistent , and validatable adhesives process depends on choosing appropriate dispensing and curing methodology . There are always choices , from manual to semi-automated and automated , with varying levels of speed , accuracy and repeatability . Training is available that covers the variables to consider when specifying application equipment , as well as provide an understanding of the advantages and limitations of available dispensing and curing options .
One particularly important area is productivity , so manufacturing teams may wish to arrange sessions that highlight the particular areas of a process that could be improved . It is difficult to change materials once a process is up and running , so training may cover handling , dispensing , and automation in detail . For example , there is a common misconception that automating a process requires a complete overhaul . We ’ d like to educate the market that you can incrementally improve a process from manual to automated or semi-automated in a way that is manageable and delivers return on investment .
As the shortage of engineering talent continues to affect British manufacturers , specialist training is a useful tool to bridge knowledge gaps in specialised areas .
Intertronics has always recognised the role training plays in helping its customers establish successful processes . To share the knowledge and insight we ’ ve gained from more than 30 years in the industry , and from our work with thousands of UK SMEs , we ’ re now offering a broader number 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 Centre near Oxford .
To view some technical resources to enhance your learning , click here . To arrange some dedicated training on adhesives and dispensing , call 01865 842842 or email kevin . brownsill @ intertronics . co . uk .
For further information , please visit www . intertronics . co . uk
52 PECM Issue 62