A system for applying a coating composition to a substrate utilizing a high transfer efficiency applicator is provided herein. The system includes a storage device for storing instructions for performing a matching protocol, and one or more data processors configured to execute the instructions to, receive, by one or more data processors, target image data of a target coating, the target image data generated by an electronic imaging device, and apply the target image data to a matching protocol to generate application instructions. The system further includes a high transfer efficiency applicator defining a nozzle orifice. The high transfer efficiency applicator is configured to expel the coating composition through the nozzle orifice to the substrate to form a coating layer. The high transfer efficiency applicator is configured expel the coating composition based on the application instructions.

A system and method for controlling a needle motion of a material applicator are disclosed. The system includes an actuator assembly that contains a piezoelectric device, where the actuator assembly is connected to a needle and translates the needle along a vertical direction, and a sensor assembly that includes an emitter for emitting light, where a portion of the actuator assembly occludes a portion of the light. The sensor assembly also includes a receiver for receiving a non-occluded portion of the light and a sensor holder that secures the emitter and the receiver. The system further includes a controller in electrical communication with the piezoelectric device, emitter, and receiver, where the controller adjusts operation of the actuator assembly based on feedback received from the receiver.

A glue valve arrangement having a controllable, in particular electromagnetically operated metering member for the delivery of glue, having a main body with glue duct leading to the metering member, having a tubular glue line, with which glue originating from a separate glue source can be fed to the glue duct, having a rotary feedthrough, detachably fastened to the main body, for the articulated connection of the tubular glue line to the main body, and having a filter for the filtering of the glue. The invention is characterized in that the filter is assigned to the rotary feedthrough.

The present invention relates to a printing device (1), preferably a 3D printer (1), comprising at least one printing nozzle (3) which is designed to eject a flowable material through at least one ejection opening (32) in the direction of a work surface (11) which is preferably horizontal. The printing device (1) is characterized in that the printing nozzle (3) has a stationary printing nozzle frame (30) and a printing nozzle head (31) with the ejection opening (32), which printing nozzle head (31) can be moved, preferably in the vertical direction (Z), relative to the printing nozzle frame (30), wherein the printing nozzle (3) is designed to move the printing nozzle head (31) relative to the printing nozzle frame (30), preferably in the vertical direction (Z), between an open position, in which a flow of the flowable material through the ejection opening (32) is permitted, and a closed position, in which a flow of the flowable material through the ejection opening (32) is not permitted, by means of a drive, preferably by means of a piezoelectric or pneumatic drive, wherein the ejection opening (32) of the printing nozzle head (31) is spaced apart further from the work surface (11) in the closed position than in the open position.

A material dispensing pump includes a drip prevention system and method so as to avoid undesired dripping of the dispensed fluid. In one example, the fluid path is sealed. Positive pressure is applied to the fluid during a dispensing operation to present the fluid to the auger-style pump at a desired rate. Between dispensing operations, or when dispensing is completed, the fluid is placed in suspension, for example by applying a negative pressure, thereby preventing the fluid from being inadvertently released at the dispense tip. In addition, following a dispensing operation, the pump dispensing controller can be programmed to reverse the rotation of the feed screw, in order to draw the material in a reverse direction and to further suspend the fluid.

Methods and systems of accurately dispensing a viscous fluid onto a substrate. In an embodiment, a method includes using an electronic flow meter device to produce electrical flow meter output signals and performing a responsive control function in a closed loop manner by adjusting at least one dispensing parameter to correct for a difference between an output data set and a reference data set. In another embodiment, a system includes a control operatively coupled to a gas flow meter device and to a weigh scale allowing for a density of an amount of viscous material to be determined. In another embodiment, a method includes using a control coupled to both a gas flow meter device and a weigh scale and performing a responsive control function in a closed loop manner by adjusting at least one dispensing parameter using gas flow meter output signals and weigh scale output signals.

A system for dispensing material on a substrate includes a dispensing unit having a dispensing piston. The dispensing piston is pneumatically driven from a first lower position to a second upper position. The system further includes a solenoid valve coupled to the dispensing unit, with the solenoid valve being configured to control air flow to and from the dispensing piston. The solenoid valve includes a solenoid coil and an amplifier connected to the solenoid coil. The system further includes a controller coupled to the amplifier, with the controller being configured to generate a command signal to the amplifier to control current in the solenoid coil.

A dispenser for dispensing a liquid onto a substrate is disclosed. The dispenser includes a liquid supply and a dispenser module. The dispenser module includes a nozzle body having an inlet, an outlet, and a chamber for receiving the liquid. The dispenser module also includes a central valve body attached to the nozzle body that defines a piston chamber and a valve member having a piston portion disposed within the piston chamber of the central valve body and a needle portion extending form the piston portion into the chamber of the nozzle body. The dispenser further includes a heater block for heating the nozzle body. The heater block defines a liquid passage for transporting liquid from the liquid supply to the dispenser, a first surface of the heater block directly contacts the nozzle body, and the entirety of the central valve body is spaced from the heater block.

A system for applying a coating composition is provided herein. The system includes a first high transfer efficiency applicator defining a first nozzle orifice and a second high transfer efficiency applicator defining a second nozzle orifice. The system further includes a reservoir. The system further includes a substrate defining a first target area and a second target area. The first high transfer efficiency applicator and the second high transfer efficiency applicator are configured to receive the coating composition from the reservoir and configured to expel the coating composition through the first nozzle orifice to the first target area of the substrate and to expel the coating composition through the second nozzle orifice to the second target area of the substrate.

A liquid material is discharged in a flying mode at a high tact by moving a needle (12) at a high speed with a small-sized drive device. A liquid droplet discharge device includes a liquid chamber (51) that is communicated with a discharge opening (60), and that is supplied with the liquid material, a needle (12) having a tip that is advanced and retracted within the liquid chamber, a drive device (2) that operates the needle (12) to advance and retract, and a displacement magnifying mechanism (3), wherein liquid droplets are discharged in a flying mode from the discharge opening (60). Even number of drive devices are disposed in a left-right symmetric relation, and the displacement magnifying mechanism (3) includes an elastically deformable U-shaped member (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) having a bottom portion to which the needle (12) is coupled.