Automated Gluing Process for Freedman Seating Co.

• Theo Hoberstorfer
• Drew Johnson
• Tahmid Murshed
• Kush Patel
• Hiba Yaso

Advisor: Jonathan Komperda

Sponsor: Freedman Seating Co.

With adhesive bonding being a fundamental component in the manufacturing of seats, the glue application process must be both timely and efficient. The gluing process currently performed at Freedman Seating Co. is a labor-intensive process in which a worker manually applies adhesive onto plastic seat inserts using hand-held sprayers. The procedure is then repeated on the cloth, and the two pieces are successfully joined together. This process takes approximately three minutes to fully complete. Although this procedure adequately ensures that the cloth and insert can be joined, there is room for improvement. Automation of the gluing process would help reduce inconsistencies, glue waste, operating cost, and time. Specifically, automation reduces glue waste by increasing consistency of glue application on the inserts and reduces overspray. In addition, automating the adhesive application process eliminates the need for a repetitive manual spraying procedure, which can have a negative impact on the employees’ health. Thus, a group of prospective engineers from the University of Illinois at Chicago is tasked with designing a prototype, which focuses on the automation of the adhesive application process. With an aim of improving manufacturing efficiency, the prototype features a disposable conveyor belt system, a mounted air hand-actuated hydraulic sprayer, ultrasonic sensors, a control system, and an optional fume hood. When a plastic seat insert is placed onto the machine, it detected by the ultrasonic sensor and transported into the gluing area. The sprayer then applies an even coating of glue onto the insert for a set period of time. After the proper amount of glue is applied, the plastic insert is transported out where a worker is then able to simply pick it up and join it with the cloth. Overall, this process eliminates the need for a worker to manually spray adhesive onto the inserts, which may potentially cause long term health issues, while reducing inconsistency, glue waste, operating cost, and time.

See supporting documentation in the team’s Box drive.