Client: Leading Automotive OEM
Project: To supply a Robotic Sealant Dispensing System for the application of sealant on the engine cover for gasketing.
Industry: AUTOMOTIVE
Project Overview
One of our major automotive customers and a leading automotive OEM approached Patvin Engineering with an urgent requirement. The customer needed a fully automatic machine to apply sealant on the engine cover for gasketing, without manual operation. The requirement also stated that the machine had to be flexible to accommodate multiple models.
The customer was focused on speed, precision, accuracy, repeatability, and ease of use, without relying on operator expertise.
Customer Challenges
- Manual errors caused high downtime.
- Long changeover times of fixtures for different models impacted cycle time & productivity.
- Fixed-type fixtures for multiple jobs were causing errors.
- The old 2 Axes systems with a pneumatically controlled z-axis were causing issues with repeatability and accuracy.
- Their old machine and process required skilled operators.
Customer Requirement
With increasing market demand, the customer wanted to expand their production capacity and automate their processes and operations.
The customer needed a reliable and automated solution that could ensure:
- Fully automatic operation
- Precise sealant application for gasketing
- Compatibility with engine components
- User-friendly interface
- High cycle time efficiency
- Safety and compliance
- Automatic fixture and job identification
- Automatic program selection
- Poka-yoke integration for safety
Why the Customer Chose Patvin’s Robotic Solution
Patvin’s expertise in robotic automation and precision fluid dispensing made us the ideal partner. Our customized robotic sealant dispensing system perfectly aligned with the client’s goals of productivity, flexibility, and accuracy.
Implementation
We designed, manufactured, and tested the complete robotic sealant dispensing system in-house.
The system was equipped with:
- Fully automatic robotic system for sealant dispensing
- Automatic fixture selection
- User-friendly HMI for quick access, status monitoring, and recipe control
- Ten fixtures were provided along with the machine, ensuring ease of operation during fixture changeover
- Low maintenance and high uptime
- Poka-Yoke: The system allows sealant dispensing only after confirming job parallelism through a poka-yoke check.
- Enhanced operator safety and process reliability
Customer Impact & Experience
The client reported significant improvements after implementing Patvin’s robotic solution:
- Improved production efficiency
- Reduced manual effort and operator dependency
- High repeatability and accuracy
- Drastic reduction in changeover time
- User-friendly operation via HMI
- Safe, foolproof, and error-free production process
Customer Feedback
The customer’s experience with our new solution was very positive. They were satisfied with its performance, reliability, and ease of operation. The machine helped them improve production efficiency and significantly reduced manual effort.
They were able to produce a variety of jobs with minimal changeover time.
When loading a different sealant, no physical adjustments were required—the setup could be easily managed through the HMI.
Patvin’s Commitment
At Patvin Engineering, we help manufacturers automate critical processes through robotics, fluid dispensing, and paint systems—combining safety, precision, and efficiency.
Our solutions are tailored to enhance productivity, flexibility, and process reliability for every customer.
Learn more about our liquid gasketing and robotic automation capabilities.
