The truth of the matter is that without adhesives, hundreds of processes around the world would stop operating properly.
From packaging and automotive to electronics and construction, adhesives are the glue keeping a multitude of industries intact — and the world from falling apart.
However, adhesives can also cause some serious issues for applications and keep operations from running smoothly.
A Sticky (and Unreliable) Situation
For operators and maintenance teams, adhesive applications can be extremely frustrating. The main struggle is that adhesives are inherently sticky.
Adhesives tend to create a buildup, or skins, within the internal passages and components of their AODD pumps. This buildup is particularly prevalent on the outer piston of traditional diaphragm designs, which usually contains additional surface area and space for this buildup to occur.
When buildup forms on the outer piston of a standard diaphragm within an AODD pump, it can lead to several issues, including contaminating the product stream, clogging filters and piping, and causing premature wear of surrounding components. These problems can compromise pump performance, increase maintenance, and slow down and even halt production.
To get their applications up and running as quickly as possible, operators commonly use the hammer-and-chisel method to remove the adhesive buildup from their pumps. But is this the best approach?
Get Unstuck with Wilden on Your Side
So, how can operators adequately address adhesive concerns? It all starts with selecting the right diaphragm design.
The goal is to find a pumping solution that lasts a long time without compromising performance and reliability. The solution must also be versatile enough to handle liquids of many different types and structures that may be corrosive, abrasive, or hazardous.
With Wilden Chem-Fuse™ Integral Piston Diaphragms (IPD), featuring a one-piece design that offers a safe, clean and reliable product transfer, operators can address their adhesive application challenges (without needing to reach for their hammer and chisel).
Designed with a smooth, contoured shape with no outer piston or product entrapment areas, Chem-Fuse IPDs take the sticky product-buildup concerns common in transferring adhesives and make them irrelevant.
Chem-Fuse Design Advantage
The Chem-Fuse IPD design eliminates a potential leak point around the outer piston and the failure-causing abrasion points at the outer piston, minimizing product contamination and risk liabilities. The design also makes cleaning easier than traditional diaphragm models, increasing the speed of product changeovers and maximizing operational efficiency.
Material Versatility & Service Life
Chem-Fuse IPDs are made with Wil-Flex® which is constructed of Santoprene®. Wil-Flex benefits the operator through its excellent flex life, high chemical and abrasion resistance and durability. These advantages lead to a longer service life with reduced maintenance, which means minimized replacement costs.
Maximizing AODD Performance
With Wilden Pro-Flo SHIFT Series – Bolted and Clamped Metal AODD Pumps, operators can drastically reduce adhesive buildup while boosting energy efficiency and AODD pump performance. The Pro-Flo SHIFT Series can operate reliably with up to 60% less compressed air while still achieving flow rates up to 34% higher than other AODD pump models.
Don’t Get Glued Down by Inefficiency
While there is no guarantee that zero product buildup will ever occur, Wilden Chem-Fuse Integral Piston Diaphragms help simplify the production process for one of the world’s most essential products — adhesives.
Minimizing the potential for buildup in adhesive applications helps alleviate significant concerns for operators, such as operating with inefficient AODD pumps, contaminating the product stream and ultimately jeopardizing their entire operation.
For more information, read our white paper: The Best AODD Pump Diaphragm for Eliminating Product Buildup. If you’re wondering how Wilden AODD pumping solutions can optimize your adhesive applications, visit our adhesives & sealants market page.