Milgard Hot-Melt Sealant Analysis
My Role: As Milgard manufacture engineering manager, I was responsible for developing, specifying, acquiring, and launching processes and equipment as part of the Essence series window and door products. One large component that needed research was deciding on a proper sealant glue that fuses together fiber glass and various wood types, while aligning with compliance and regulatory specifications.
Work
Milgard Windows & Doors
Experience
Engineering Management, Manufacturing, Experiment
Year
2013
Experiment Background
Cross-section view infographic
Procedure infographic
Experiment Procedures
To accurately test which hot-melt sealant and equipment met company standards, full engineering analysis of the adhesive's compression and shear force properties were compared.
Step 1
Use hot-melt sealant equipment to apply linear amounts of beads onto fiberglass panel.
Step 3
Test in 2, 3, and 4 minute increments the limits of green strength during the sealant's curation.
Step 2
Press wood panel on the fiberglass panel, using compressor with force gauge.
Step 4
Pull apart both panels with force gauge to measure the amount of shear force required.
Engineering Equipment
Using Milgard's extensive test equipment and custom panel production line, early prototypes of the Essence series fiberglass and wood panels were produced for this experiment. Other equipment required for this analysis included electronic force gauge, press plate system, hydraulic press equipment, custom panel adapter, stop watch, and hot-melt sealant and applicator.
Testing equipment and applicator
Force press system
Hydraulic pull system
Hot-melt Sealant Results
Three hot-melt sealants by HB Fuller, Dow Corning, and Schnee Morehead were narrowed down for testing on the new Essence series fiberglass and wood products. Below are the results measuring each compression and shear forces seen while testing between time before adhesive is set and after it is cured.
Results: HB Fuller HL-5201
HB Fuller test results
HB Fuller panel results
Results: Dow Corning Instantglaze III
Dow Corning test results
Dow Corning panel results
Results: Schnee-Morehead SM2700
Schnee Morehead test results
Schnee Morehead panel results
Final Decision: Schnee-Morehead SM2700
The final decision after testing and comparing all hot-glue sealant types and equipment was the Schnee-Morehead SM2700 (comparison displayed below). The sealant was selected due to it's accountability for complying with all environmental, health and safety regulations, user procedures and guidelines, and within the manufacturing cost budgets.
Eco-Friendly
The product of choice and packaging is to be relatively environmentally friendly, both during manufacturing and its use. The product in its cured state must be suitable inside a buyer's home.
Hazards
Ideally the product of choice will be non-flammable, non-explosive and non-hazardous; within all safety regulations.
Costs
Project target of $4 per two-panel door is required. *Cost per panel is for a 3068-panel size and representative of 2 and 3 rows of sealant.
Final sealant comparisons