Sulzer has developed a unique floor adhesive dispensing system with the protection of workers at the core of its design. Working on a solution for Sika AG, Switzerland, floor adhesives can now be applied in an upright position. Craftsmen no longer have to kneel, and the overall floor application is up to four times faster.
For centuries now flooring adhesives have been applied by hand with a spreading trowel. Craftsmen who kneel or crouch frequently experience higher rates of musculoskeletal knee disorders, symptoms confirmed by several epidemiologic studies. For Sika AG, a company specializing in products for bonding, sealing, and damping in the building sector and the motor vehicle industry, this evidence was a concern.
When Sika asked us to create a solution that could protect craftsmen we recognized an opportunity to think innovatively. This ergonomic approach to floor adhesives was not only a significant step in reducing the risk of injury. It was a chance to create a far more efficient dispensing system. Our shared goal was to eliminate kneeling during the adhesive application phase of wood flooring installations and also to speed up the process.
Less injuries and more efficient dispensing: the innovative hand-held system.
We designed a hand-held system that allows floor adhesive to be distributed from a standing position. This not only protected workers, but spread adhesive up to 10 times faster than manual distribution. We developed a three-barrel, upright, pneumatically-powered dispenser designed for dispensing 63 mm diameter sachets of Sika adhesives. Our three-barrel system allows the adhesives to be applied in large flooring areas but also covers smaller areas with the option of using just one or two barrels. Our battery-powered, cordless model makes our design truly flexible and adapted to individual working needs.
Sika required a high-volume device combined with a quick, clean material reloading system. Each sachet is made from sustainable materials and has a volume of 1.8 liters, providing a total capacity of 5.4 liters (7 kg) of adhesive. These tailor-made sachets allow customers to use SikaBond® adhesives in our dispenser immediately, combining trusted products with a trusted application system. This unique combination sets our product at the top of the market for ease of use. Craftsmen simply have to remove empty sachets and reload them. The applicator head is made of high-density polyethylene material so the adhesive can be left in the dispenser for up to 10 days without curing. This eliminates daily downtime due to cleaning and maintenance, further increasing project efficiency and reducing costs.
Our solution for Sika has made applying floor adhesives better for workers and project efficiency. Not only did we bring a traditional practice into the twentieth century, we improved it. The traditional hand-spreading of adhesives led to messy practices, risking contamination of newly laid wooden floors. Our solution is clean and clear: it guarantees the best results.