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New adhesive and sealant application system for robotics builds on Graco’s legacy of manufacturing innovation

MINNEAPOLIS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Graco Inc. (NYSE:GGG), a leading manufacturer of fluid handling equipment, is pleased to introduce the E-Flo® iQ adhesive and sealant dispense system. This new system is designed to help automotive manufacturers uncover significant savings in their body shop operations. The E-Flo iQ system – a single-component metering and dispensing solution – brings simplicity and software-driven intelligence to the robotic application of sealants and adhesives. While the system will initially be deployed in the automotive industry, it’s designed to bring savings and efficiency to manufacturing processes in a wide range of industries.

“We found that the traditional dispense method was complex and simply had too many moving parts and components. It created wear-and-tear on robots, was too noisy and required far too much maintenance.”

The E-Flo iQ system precisely regulates bead accuracy from pump to the point of dispense. There are fewer parts, less maintenance, easier installation and fewer delays. This will allow Graco’s customers to reduce operating costs and improve profitability for a wide range of applications, including structural adhesive, hemming and anti-flutter. The introduction of the E-Flo iQ system presents automotive integrators with a compelling new way to expand their OEM and tier relationships in the automotive market, especially as manufacturers look to trim costs in the potentially tough 2020-21 global market.

“We collaborated with OEMs, tiers and integrators around the world and identified new ways to make significant improvements in terms of production quality, system uptime and maintenance costs,” said Peter Linder, Senior Business Manager for Graco. “We found that the traditional dispense method was complex and simply had too many moving parts and components. It created wear-and-tear on robots, was too noisy and required far too much maintenance.”

Key components of the E-Flo iQ system include a single display module that controls the entire system, meter-from-drum technology that eliminates the need for an additional metering device, a new heated hose design that maintains consistent temperature and material integrity, and a modular dispense valve that offers a ball seat, tip seal or snuff back configurations.

https://www.graco.com/us/en/in-plant-manufacturing/products/sealants-adhesives/one-component-metering-systems/e-flo-iq-metering-dispensing-systems.html

“Graco has a great reputation in paint shops and final assembly operations. Customers love our innovations in those areas and they trust us to keep innovating and improving their operations,” said Linder. “They’ve been waiting for us to bring that same value and trust to other applications within the automotive industry. We believe the E-Flo iQ system delivers exactly what they’ve been wanting.”