As part of a drive to optimise end-user productivity, National Adhesives launched its 3D MK3 system to the packaging market at the beginning of 2002. Six years on and 4500 installed units later, the product continues to offer National Adhesives’ customers a reliable and safe adhesive application system.

Essentially, 3D MK3 is a COOL-MELT glue pellet applicator. It was designed with the packaging industry in mind - an increasingly segmented marketplace, with a variety of adhesive needs. Although it is proving most popular here, 3D has also been used within bookbinding, tobacco, lumber, and wood - with great results. Hot melt pellets can also be used in the system.

“The unit was the first of its kind,” explains David Duckworth, European engineered solutions manager, National Adhesives, and inventor of the 3D system. “We wanted to identify an opportunity in the low application temperature market place, and research revealed that a cost-effective and reliable application system was required, so we began offering 3D as an all-in-one solution.”

3D MK3 is a compact and versatile machine, and installation is very straight forward taking just five minutes. The ability to rotate both inlet pipe and control panel, coupled with its compact size allows it to be installed easily into confined spaces. As the unit is compressed air driven, it requires very little maintenance, reducing the risk of glue splashes, burns and workplace fumes.

The 3D MK3 unit automatically refills, freeing up operator time for more time-intensive tasks. A low level warning alarm indicates when the system is running low on adhesive. Because the COOL-MELT glue is added little and often, an even temperature is maintained, ensuring constant adhesive performance, and eliminating blocked nozzles and therefore any potential downtime

3D MK3 works with both 110v and 240v electrical supplies, has an approximate mass of 10 kg (22 lbs), and offers a 240 kg/hr (528 lbs/hr) maximum output (at 4m length).

An interesting aside: the 3D unit was actually named after its inventor.

“We decided on ‘3D’ as a marketplace name, as internally we’d been calling it the David Duckworth Dispenser (!),” Duckworth admits. “At first I wasn’t convinced, but owing to its success I’m very proud to have it named after me!”