Optimizing Hot Melt Systems: A Guide to Purging and Cleaning

Introduction:

Maintaining the efficiency of your hot melt system is crucial for seamless operations and product quality. Regular purging and cleaning, typically recommended every six months, are essential steps to ensure optimal performance. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process using cost-effective paraffin wax, available at most hardware stores. Whether you’re dealing with adhesive challenges in manufacturing or packaging, these instructions are universally applicable to all brands, makes, and models.

Step 1: Decrease the Air Pressure

Begin the process by lowering the glue pump’s air pressure to 0 psi. Utilize a 5 mm hex wrench to turn the pressure adjustment screw counterclockwise until it comes to a stop. This sets the stage for an effective purge and cleaning.

Step 2: Purge the Hot Melt System

Lower the drain chute and position a suitable container beneath the drain valve.

Open the drain valve until a steady flow of glue begins pouring into the container.

As the glue flow diminishes, increase the glue pump’s air pressure to 10 psi.

Once the tank is empty, reset the glue pump’s air pressure to 0 and close the drain valve. Your tank is now prepared for the cleaning process.

Step 3: Melt the Paraffin Wax

Disconnect the hoses from the glue heads while keeping them electrically connected.

Introduce several paraffin wax blocks into the hot melt tank and allow them to melt.

Increase the glue pump’s air pressure to 10 psi.

Place the hose ends into a disposable container.

Step 4: Pump the Wax

On the hot melt control panel, press the Pump button to activate the glue pump. The melted wax and glue residue will be pumped through the hoses into the container. Add more wax if necessary.

Once all melted wax has passed through the glue hoses, turn off the pump by pressing the Pump button.

Replace the tank filter with a new one.

Fill the tank with glue. Once melted, increase the glue pump air pressure to 30 psi and turn on the pump by pressing Pump.

Pump approximately half a tank of glue through the hoses, then shut off the pump by pressing Pump again.

Step 5: Restore the Hot Melt System

Reattach the glue hoses to the glue heads.

Remove the glue nozzles. Turn on the glue pump by pressing Pump. Use the manual override on the glue valve (solenoid) to purge glue through the glue head until new, clean glue is extruded.

Replace the glue nozzles with new ones if necessary.

Refill the hot melt tank and return the system to its original settings.

Conclusion:

Regularly purging and cleaning your hot melt system using these comprehensive steps will enhance its longevity and efficiency, ensuring a smooth adhesive application process. By utilizing paraffin wax and following these instructions, you can maintain the performance of your hot melt system, regardless of the brand, make, or model. Incorporate this routine into your maintenance schedule to experience consistent and reliable results in your industrial or packaging bonding