How to Choose a Silicone Dispensing Machine

Buying a machine to dispense silicone? Don‘t get lost in technical specs. Focus on these 4 key areas to find the right one.

Part 1: Know Your Material and Job

• Understand Your Silicone:Remember: it needs an accurate mix ratio(like 10:1), and it hates air bubbleswhich ruin seals and looks. Some filled silicones can be quite thick.

• Define Your Production:Are you doing R&D, or producing hundreds daily? This decides if you need a manual tool or an automatic robot.

Part 2: Understand the Core Parts

A good machine depends on these three:

1. The "Heart" – Metering Pump:Pumps out Parts A and B accurately.

• For thick or filled silicones, choose a durable progressing cavity (PC) pump. For general purpose, a gear pumpis cost-effective.

2. The "Mixer" – Mixing Method:Blends the two parts instantly.

• Static Mixer Tubes:Like disposable straws. Cheap, perfectly mixed every time. Best for most jobs.

• Dynamic Mix Head:Can be cleaned and reused. Good for very fast-cure silicones, but more expensive to buy and maintain.

3. The "Bubble Remover" – Vacuum Option (If needed):

• If your product must be bubble-free(e.g., medical or optical parts), you need a machine with vacuum degassing. It removes air from the material before dispensing.

Part 3: Match Automation to Your Output

• Manual / Semi-Auto (Economy):You control the dispensing or part movement. Perfect for R&D, repair, or low-volumework. Low cost, flexible.

• Fully Automatic 3-Axis (Standard):The machine follows programmed paths. Ideal for medium to high volumeproduction where consistency is key. This is the industry standard.

• In-Line Fully Automatic (High-Volume):Integrates into a conveyor line. Only for mass production of a single product. Highest efficiency and investment.

Part 4: Look Beyond the Price Tag

1. Test Drive the Machine:Always test with your own silicone! Check for ratio accuracy, mix quality, and bubbles.

2. Consider Long-Term Costs:Is it reliable? How much do spare parts (seals, tubes) cost? What‘s the service support like? Good after-sales service saves future headaches.

3. Check Cleaning Ease:Cured silicone is tough to clean. A well-designed machine saves maintenance time.

The Bottom Line:

Define your needs (material & volume), match them to the core specs (pump, mixer, vacuum), test it yourself, and choose a reliable supplier.