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Automated Manufacturing with Adhesives and Tapes

Companies are moving to automation to meet changing customer demands— and are improving their own businesses at the same time. Even low levels of automation can have a significant effect on improving your process, quality and cost.

Ask a 3M expert

Innovations in automation can help you produce more for less.

Regardless of your needs, 3M has the resources and support to help you take the first step toward automation with tapes and adhesives.

  • Introducing a new, automated bonding solution that launches your process into the future. The 3M™ On Demand Bonding System featuring 3M™ VHB™ Extrudable Tape will bring your operation what it needs to maintain a competitive edge.
     

    • Efficiency
    • Versatility
    • Simplicity
    • Sustainability
  • Brought to you by the experts at Innovative Automation and 3M, this complete solution automates production tape applications that require precision, repeatability, and high output. This system has been carefully optimized to meet the demands of production manufacturing, while providing additional features to streamline operation and maintenance.


Get started with bonding automation resources from 3M.

  • It is important to find a partner that knows how to handle tapes and adhesives. Don’t have one? Get started with an integrator or machine builder in 3M’s Bonding Automation Network.

  • Visit a 3M Bonding Process Center in-person or virtually to see what automation solutions can help you achieve your assembly goals. Talk to a 3M Application Engineer or try the equipment with your own components.

  • Learn more about automating assembly with 3M tapes and adhesives, including how to know if automation is right for you and how to get started with an integrator.

  • See how 3M Preferred Converters can provide 3M Tape cut-to-size for your application.


Where do you sit on the readiness scale?

When we talk about automation it helps to understand what the different levels of automation are, where you’re at now and how you can best meet your production needs. Please understand that these are not rigid categories where you’re in one at a time – different parts of your production might be at each level, or a process might straddle two levels. The general categories are just to help understand the continuum of automation options so everyone in the discussion understands the possibilities.

As you can see below, there are several factors that can play into the decision about what range of automation best meets your needs right now and what to consider as a future option. Your decision for any process will be based on your part volume, labor, how precise the application must be, available budget and whether you do short or long production runs.

  • Assembly Volume: Low volume, job shop

    Value of Parts: Least expensive

    Labor cost: Lowest, inexpensive easy-to-hire employees

    Quality Requirements: Quality can be achieved manually

    Experience with Automation: None

    Budget: <$1k

  • Assembly Volume: Low-medium volume, job shop

    Value of Parts: Less inexpensive

    Labor cost: Low-medium less inexpensive easy to-hire employee

    Quality Requirements: Quality can be achieved semi-manually

    Experience with Automation: None

    Budget: $1k - $50k

  • Assembly Volume: Medium-high volume, identical parts

    Value of Parts: More expensive

    Labor cost: Medium-high, more expensive, difficult to hire employees

    Quality Requirements: High precision, accuracy required

    Experience with Automation: Use automation or robotics today

    Budget: $50k - $100k

  • Assembly Volume: High volume, identical parts

    Value of Parts: Most expensive

    Labor cost: High, most expensive, difficult to hire employees

    Quality Requirements: Extreme precision, accuracy required

    Experience with Automation: Use automation or robotics today

    Budget: >$100k


See what's possible with automation of 3M Tapes and Adhesives.

Interested in automating your assembly, but not sure where to start? Or maybe your company is moving towards more automated solutions and you want to be the one to make it happen? Let us help you turn your company’s design vision into a manufactured reality.

  • 00:00:00:00 - 00:00:03:03 Background music begins to play. 00:00:44:07 - 00:00:48:08 Background music fades out.

    Tape being applied to a assembly piece with 3M On Demand Bonding System
    Simplify assembly with the 3M™ On Demand Bonding System featuring 3M™ VHB™ Extrudable Tape
  • (SPEECH) [ROCK MUSIC] (DESCRIPTION) Logo on a machine, 3M RoboTape. Tape Automation System. Meet the next generation of industrial bonding solutions. Push past the boundaries of manual application with the excitement, the adventure, the performance of automation. Introducing the RoboTape System for 3M Tape. A collaboration of 3M and 3M RoboTape Tape Automation System. This automated dispensing solution for select 3M Tapes will take your production to new terrain. Now you can apply tape in a curved radius, apply required pressure without extra steps, and finish it off with clean cuts. Customized for your assembly line, the RotoTape System for 3M Tape is pre-programmed and mechanically advanced to pass 3M's five-point check and optimize the areas of: 1. Limited tape stretch. 2. Accurate tape wet out. 3. Splice identification and disposal. 4. Successful liner handling. 5. Repeatable tape placement accuracy. And to work with the 3M tapes you know and trust. The result is faster, smarter tape application. The RotoTape System for 3M Tape can help your manufacturing process increase throughput; improve quality; improve consistency; reduce work-in-process; reduce rework; re-task and develop your workforce. Advance to the next level in product design and development. Apply tape up to 300mm per second. Immediately handle taped components. Implement your complex designs faster. Leave manual taping in the dust! Text, It's fast and easy to empty the liner drawer and change spools with zero downtime. Plus, the RotoTape System for 3M Tape can integrate with many existing automation systems. So, whether you're manufacturing automobiles; HVAC systems; appliances; all-terrain vehicles, take your production process beyond limits. Introducing the RoboTape System for 3M Tape. A collaboration of 3M and Innovative Automation. Logo, 3M RoboTape. Tape Automation System. Logo, 3M. Tagline, Science. Applied to Life. Text, Learn more at engage dot 3M dot com slash RotoTape.

    Illustrative close up of RoboTape System on assembly
    See how the RoboTape™ System for 3M™ Tape can quickly and precisely apply tape
  • (SPEECH) [UPBEAT MUSIC] (DESCRIPTION) Logo and text, 3M, in Collaboration with Vulcan Technic. 3M Straight Line Laminator, How to operate. Alignment. A person works at the machine. Text, Insert the substrate into the base. Align the base alignment plate against the substrate. Press the plate against the substrate, keep in mind to press against the substrate to cause friction. Lower the applicator roller. Before starting the application operation make sure that the applicator is at the proper height. Feeding. Red tape is over an upper wheel and under the applicator roller next to it, and moves outward onto a substrate as the operator moves the substrate forward and sets another substrate in place behind it and feeds it through. In a close view, the tape holds the two pieces of the substrate together. Text, Cutting. The operator uses a blade to cut the tape at the junction, then slides the bar along the machine. He cuts the tape at another junction. He cuts at another junction, just under the applicator roller, then lowers a lever at the back of the wheel and roller and they raise up. Logo and text, 3M. Science. Applied to Life. Learn more at engage dot 3M dot com slash straight line laminator. Copyright 3M 2022. All rights reserved. 3M Product Name are trademarks of 3M Company. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

    Man using 3M Straight Line Laminator
    Increase throughput and consistency with the 3M™ Straight Line Laminator for stiffener and post assembly
  • Image showing a bay at the 3M Bonding Process Center
    Explore dispensing options at a 3M™ Bonding Process Center near you

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Need help finding the right product for your project? Contact us if you need product, technical or application advice or want to collaborate with a 3M technical specialist, or give us a call at 1-800-831-0658.

Need help finding the right product for your project? Contact us if you need product, technical or application advice or want to collaborate with a 3M technical specialist, or give us a call at 1-800-831-0658.