An epoxy dispenser can become clogged if the polymer adhesive is allowed to dry

on the tip. A blockage in the tip of the dispensing unit may cause one or both o
f the epoxy elements to come out unevenly or not at all. Wiping the dispenser ou
tlet clean prior to storage generally prevents the epoxy from forming a seal. Cl
ogged epoxy dispensing equipment is typically unclogged by cutting away the hard
ened plastic polymer with a sharp knife or razor blade. Some epoxy dispensing sy
stems come with a cap or cover for the tip to keep the tubes holding the adhesiv
e sealed when they are not being used.
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In dispensing small volume of material, clogging of the needle can be a signific
ant problem. The microvolume pump uses highly polished stainless steel needles w
ith a chamfered tip, which reduces the surface tension between the needle and th
e material. As a result, the solder paste or adhesive is less likely to stick to
the tip, thus reducing tailing or bridging as the needle lifts up from the disp
ensed dot. The polished interior surface and the fact that the needle is constru
cted of a single piece extrusion ensure the least amount of surface interference
as the material flows through the needle. In contrast, most needles in other di
spensing systems are of two-piece construction using rolled tubing. As a result,
the needle's irregular interior surface can catch the material and lead to buil
d-up over time, thereby degrading the quality and consistency of the dots being
dispensed.
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Dispensing technologies, such as rotating needles, heated outlets and vacuum pul
lback features, help to minimize clogged needles, unwanted drips, viscosity vari
ations and other dispensing irregularities. A simpler method of avoiding these f
rustrations is to seal components with preformed epoxy.
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ASM International. (1989). Electronic Materials Handbook: Packaging (Volume 1).
Ohio: ASM Internationl.
Nozzle clogging:
- Contamination by traces of incompatible adhesives: replace nozzle or clean tho
roughly in solvents such as methyl ethyl ketone, 1-1-1 trichloroethane, of Freon
. Clean after every shift. Severely clogged dispensers or nozzles can be cleaned
with hot N,N-dimethylformamide.
- Nozzle not cleaned properly: see above and clean nozzle after every shift. Tak
e care not to push cured adhesive up into nozzle.
- Anaerobic cure in steel nozzles or use of brass or copper parts: most acrylic
products are somewhat anaerobic in nature. Brass or copper parts should not be u
sed.