The automated filling of bonded joints – Part 2 three dimensional joints

Building automobile bodies from lightweight materials using space‐frame construction techniques is increasingly popular because of exhaust emission legislation. One proposed method of achieving this is by using plug and socket joints, which are injected with adhesive after assembly. A method for controlling this process, irrespective of component tolerances, is proposed here. A test rig representing a plug and socket joint was injected with the adhesive and a method for successfully filling the butt‐jointed end of the joint found. The addition of a restriction to the joint's open end gave a method of filling the cavity without creating any air gaps. The use of neoprene O‐ring seals for creating the restriction was investigated. The pressure of the adhesive at the joint inlet (gate) was recorded (data logger), and an analysis of this has been used to determine the point when adhesive injection can be arrested and the joint correctly filled.