The Skinny: Nordson's employee newsletter, sent quarterly, focuses on how Nordson plays a role in products we use everyday.

Style: Tightly written, with tech concepts explained in plain English

Excerpt:

Automotive Systems Group innovation increases vehicle safety

Many people don't realize the critical role a windshield plays in a vehicle's safety. In fact, the windshield ensures structural support - adding ridigity and preventing the roof from caving in during an accident. Owners of Ford cars and trucks can be sure that their windshield will stay in place and protect them in an accident thanks to proprietary technology from Nordson's Automotive Systems Group.

Working in collaboration with Ford Motor Company, Nordson has perfected its automated Flow-Through-Felt System, a consistent, reliable technology that layers two primers onto the windshield glass prior to adhesive application. Preparing the glass with two separate primers is critical: The first primer cleans the glass, ensuring proper glue adhesion. The second contains a UV deterrent to keep sunlight from breaking down the adhesive. Once both primers are applied, a strip of glue about ½" to 1" high adheres the glass to the vehicle frame. While manual systems consist of two to four employees using squeeze bottles to apply the primers, Nordson's Flow-Through-Felt System is completely automated to guarantee correct application - and a windshield that stays in place on each and every vehicle.

"Human error is a serious issue in manual priming processes," says Steve Smith, director of sales for the Automotive Systems Group. "While many errors in the vehicle assembly process can be identified and corrected during the quality control stage, problems with windshield adhesion are undetectable - and that creates safety risks, water leakage and 'wind whistles.' Automating the process with precision equipment eliminates the safety risk and the leakage potential."

Back