System and Method for Preparing, Dispensing and Curing Epoxy

Abstract

A method for dispensing epoxy comprising the step of degassing an epoxy. The method further comprises the step of associating the epoxy with an epoxy injector comprising a dispensing end. The method further comprises the step of a computer receiving data representative of a selected container to receive the epoxy. The method further comprises the step of a computer determining a dispensing rate and a dispensing amount, based on the received data. The method further comprises the step of a computer causing the epoxy injector to dispense the determined dispensing amount of epoxy, via the dispensing end, at the determined dispensing rate. The method further comprises the step of a computer causing a dispensing arm, supporting the dispensing end, to retract the dispensing end while the epoxy injector is dispensing the epoxy. The method further comprises the step of curing the dispensed epoxy.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for dispensing epoxy, the method comprising the steps of:
 degassing an epoxy; wherein the step of degassing comprises centrifuging the epoxy and vacuum degassing the epoxy;   associating the epoxy with an epoxy injector comprising a dispensing end;   receiving data from a computer that is representative of a selected container to receive the epoxy;   determining a dispensing rate and a dispensing amount, based on the data received by a computer;   causing the epoxy injector to dispense the determined dispensing amount of epoxy, via the dispensing end, at the determined dispensing rate as determined by a computer;   causing a dispensing arm, supporting the dispensing end, to retract the dispensing end while the epoxy injector is dispensing the epoxy as determined by a computer; and   curing the dispensed epoxy.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of centrifuging the epoxy is performed for a first length of time and vacuum degassing the epoxy for a second length of time. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the dispensing end dispensing end of the epoxy injector comprises a dispensing needle and a supporting arm configured to support the dispensing needle. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of curing the dispensed epoxy comprises the steps of:
 heating the dispensed epoxy at first temperature for a first predetermined amount of time; and   heating the dispensed epoxy at a second temperature for a second predetermined amount of time;   wherein the second temperature is greater than the first temperature.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of the computer causing the epoxy injector to dispense the determined dispensing amount of epoxy comprises the computer causing the epoxy injector to dispense the determined dispensing amount of epoxy at a constant dispense rate by adjusting air pressure in the epoxy injector to correspond to a change in viscosity of the epoxy. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of the computer causing the dispensing arm to retract the dispensing end comprises:
 the computer determining a variable retraction rate based on a shape of a cavity of the selected container; and   the computer causing the dispensing arm to retract the dispensing end at the determined variable retraction rate.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of the computer determining the dispensing rate and the dispensing amount based on a shape of a cavity of the selected container. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the step of the computer determining a dispensing rate and a dispensing amount comprises the computer accessing a database to identify a dispensing rate and a dispensing amount associated with the selected container. 
     
     
         9 . The method of injecting a defined and controlled amount of epoxy into a designated area, the method comprising:
 initiating an epoxy dispensing sequence, wherein the epoxy dispensing sequence comprises activating means configured to activate a computer,   degassing an epoxy; wherein the step of degassing comprises centrifuging the epoxy for a first length of time and vacuum degassing the epoxy for a second length of time;   associating the epoxy with an epoxy injector comprising a dispensing end;   receiving data from a first computer that is representative of a selected container to receive the epoxy;   determining a dispensing rate and a dispensing amount, based on the received data as determined by a second computer;   causing the epoxy injector to dispense the determined dispensing amount of epoxy, via the dispensing end, at the determined dispensing rate into the designated area as determined by a third computer;   causing a dispensing arm, supporting the dispensing end, to retract the dispensing end while the epoxy injector is dispensing the epoxy as determined by a fourth computer; and   curing the dispensed epoxy.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein initiating an epoxy dispensing sequence is performed by a user. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the activating means is a pedal. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the dispensing end of the epoxy injector comprises a dispensing needle and a supporting arm configured to support the dispensing needle. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the step of curing the dispensed epoxy comprises the steps of:
 heating the dispensed epoxy at first temperature for a first predetermined amount of time; and 
 heating the dispensed epoxy at a second temperature for a second predetermined amount of time; 
 wherein the second temperature is greater than the first temperature. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the step of causing the epoxy injector to dispense the determined dispensing amount of epoxy comprises the computer causing the epoxy injector to dispense the determined dispensing amount of epoxy at a constant dispense rate by adjusting air pressure in the epoxy injector to correspond to a change in viscosity of the epoxy. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the step of the computer causing the dispensing arm to retract the dispensing end comprises:
 the computer determining a variable retraction rate based on a shape of a cavity of the selected container; and 
 the computer causing the dispensing arm to retract the dispensing end at the determined variable retraction rate. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising the step of the computer determining the dispensing rate and the dispensing amount based on a shape of a cavity of the selected container. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the step of the computer determining a dispensing rate and a dispensing amount comprises the computer accessing a database to identify a dispensing rate and a dispensing amount associated with the selected container. 
     
     
         18 . A system for dispensing epoxy, comprising: an epoxy injector comprising a dispensing needle and a supporting arm configured to support the dispensing needle;
 an epoxy degasser configured to degas the epoxy, wherein the epoxy degasser comprises a centrifuge and a vacuum degasser; and   at least one processor, at least one computer-readable tangible storage device, and program instructions stored on the at least one storage device for execution by the at least one processor, the program instructions comprising:   first program instructions configured to receive data representative of a selected container to receive epoxy;   second program instructions configured to determine a dispensing rate and a dispensing amount, based on the received data;   third program instructions configured to cause the determined dispensing amount of epoxy to be dispensed, through the dispensing end, at the determined dispensing rate; and   fourth program instructions configured to cause the support arm to retract the dispensing end while epoxy is being dispensed through the dispensing end.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a first epoxy curing device configured to cure the epoxy at a first temperature; and   a second epoxy curing device configured to cure the epoxy at a second temperature.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the third program instructions are further configured to cause the determined dispensing amount of epoxy to be dispensed at a constant dispense rate by causing an air pressure to adjust according to a change in viscosity of the epoxy. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the fourth program instructions are further configured to:
 determine a variable retraction rate based on a shape of a cavity of the selected container; and   cause the support arm to retract the dispensing end at the determined variable retraction rate.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the second program instructions are further configured to determine the dispensing rate and the dispensing amount based on a shape of a cavity of the selected container. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the second program instructions are further configured to access a database to identify a dispensing rate and a dispensing amount associated with the selected container.