20 Autumn Troubleshooting & Gluing Tips

Originally Published 9/15/2009

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As we gather around the table this Thanksgiving, it’s a reminder of the importance of gratitude—whether for a family feast or well-maintained machinery!

Learn how to make the most of autumn’s ideal conditions for gluing with our Autumn Maintenance Checklist to keep your equipment running smoothly. From cleaning glue spreaders to conditioning ripsaws and checking your storage tanks, now is the perfect time to ensure everything is in top shape before colder weather brings unexpected challenges.

This time of year is a good time to perform maintenance on machinery. Our semi-annual list of maintenance items includes:

Storage

• Check the condition of bulk storage tanks - remove any build up or sediment that might have accumulated over time.
• Check your inventory to make sure you don't have any old or outdated pails, drums, bulk drums or totes hidden from view.
• You can learn more about specific storage and handling considerations for each adhesive by checking the PDS and SDS.

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Ripsaws

• Change out worn or damaged saw blades
• Confirm alignment of operational parts
• Check the condition of arbor bearings

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Mixing Equipment

• Clean all mixing equipment parts and pieces
• Confirm ratio of adhesives for your operations, especially when using two-part adhesives.
• For example, the mix ratio of a two-part Multibond or Advantage adhesive is important for effective radio frequency gluing and for the development of proper water resistance. It may have been a while since this ratio was checked by a technician. Need to connect with our technical service team to confirm your ratio operations? Contact our team here.

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Clamp Carriers

• Clean and lubricate each clamp.
• If needed, replace the thrust washer located behind the tightening nut on each clamp.
• Check screw threads on clamp carriers.
• Ensure sure clamp pressure is adequate for your specifications.
• Make sure that the drive chains are in good condition.
• Replace any broken air or hydraulic gauges.

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Radio Frequency Presses

• Most machines have several hydraulic pressure cylinders. Make sure that all of them are working properly.
• Check the fluid level in pumps and make sure that all gauges are functioning.
• The beryllium copper strip along the front edge of the machine and other ground straps are frequently damaged or disconnected.
• The retard system in the continuous flow machine needs to be cleaned out and checked for wear.

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Experiencing Glue Line Chalking?

Most PVA glues dry clear or slightly opaque - a chalked glue line is abnormally light. A milky or chalky white glue output means that plant and wood substrate are too cold for the adhesive being used.

The "minimum use temperature" is noted on our Product Data Sheets as a guide. Try keeping the wood and plant temperatures at least a few degrees above this value for safety.

Unlike PVAs, PUR Hot Melts tend to set more quickly in cooler weather. This is normally not a problem, but if the open time or set time of a hot melt becomes too short, contact our team to assist with your operations efficiency targets.

Glue Spreaders

Repair or replace any loose flights on conveyors. Remove any glue build up around the spreaders. Check the condition of the applicator rolls. Lubricate parts as necessary.

PVA Adhesives - Weather Change Considerations

Some troubleshooting considerations related to PVA products and temperature are normally thought of as "winter problems," but can actually be more of a problem when the temperature drops suddenly and the building heat has not been turned on. Fortunately, these problems can be reduced if the heat is turned on slightly before rather than slightly after the factory temperature drops too far.

Keep an eye on the weather for sudden temperature drops.

Adjust building heat accordingly to prevent freezing or cold weather gluing concerns.

Take extra care with process times when early morning fog is present.

Experiencing delamination or panel failure? Cool and damp conditions frequently result in under-cured joints because most water-based glues cure slower under these conditions.

Increase panel clamp time if you are experiencing panel errors by 10-15 minutes. Using a radio frequency press? Try increasing the cure cycle by 5-10 seconds.

Proper gluing techniques are required for accurate results. More specialized assistance is available by contacting our technical service team.

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Franklin Adhesives & Polymers is a division of Franklin International.

About Franklin International: Established in 1935, Franklin International is among the largest privately held manufacturers of adhesives and sealants in the U.S. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, the company maintains multiple manufacturing and distribution locations in the U.S. and a plant in Guangzhou, China to serve the Pacific Rim effectively. The company maintains two divisions: Franklin Adhesives & Polymers provides pressure-sensitive adhesives for labels, tapes and graphics applications, and adhesives for wood assembly markets, and the Construction Division manufactures Titebond® wood glues, construction adhesives, sealants and flooring products.

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