Method and apparatus for accurately dispensing liquids and solids

Abstract

A system for metering and dispensing single and plural component liquids and solids as described herein. The dispensing system has a microprocessor-based control system and volumetrically efficient non-reciprocating pumps which provide a very accurate control of component ratios, shot sizes, flow rates and dispense durations. The dispensing system maintains constant pressure between the output of the pump and the dispense head. The progressive cavity pump is formed from individual, interlocking pressure sections, each of which has a double helix bore. A rotor is inserted into the double helix bore with an interference fit. The dispense head has no dynamic fluid sealing surfaces and instead uses bellows as a sealing mechanism. The dispensing system includes a simple, easy to use calibration procedure and a weight scale. The system also has numerous feedback components for accurately controlling the pressure, flow rates, fluid levels and amounts of fluids dispensed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for configuring a machine for operation on pre-specified diverse parts, comprising 
 scanning a bar code on a part;    inputting the bar code scanned to the machine;    automatically configuring the machine to operate on the part based on the bar code scanned and input into the machine;    automatically displaying an image of a part based on the bar code scanned and input into the machine;    verifying the machine configuration by visually comparing the displayed image and the part having the bar code scanned.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , automatically configuring the machine including setting dispensing ratios of materials to be directed to the part with the bar code scanned.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , automatically configuring the machine further including setting the dispensing time for dispensing the materials to the part having the bar code scanned.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising 
 automatically displaying the dispensing ratios and dispensing time set by automatically configuring the machine.  
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , automatically configuring the machine including setting dispensing rates for materials to be directed to the part with the bar code scanned.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , automatically configuring the machine further including setting the dispensing time for dispensing the materials to the part having the bar code scanned.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising 
 automatically displaying the dispensing rates and dispensing time set by automatically configuring the machine.