Many of the automatic systems are based on the semi-automatic units but include a number of additional features for improved control.
Detectors can be fitted to indicate the quantity of product remaining in the pressure pot and thus predict when the product will be completely used up. For some systems an automatic change-over valve can be installed to switch supply from a second pressure pot thus maintaining supply of adhesive to the production line.
The dispense valve can be mounted on robots, for tracing complex profiles, particularly when dispensing adhesives on high-volume production lines. These valves can be fitted with pressure sensors and, depending on sensitivity, can detect breaks in the adhesive supply due to entrainment of air bubbles (see Section 10.1.1).
Another option is to detect the adhesive on the component part. This can be more complex and often relies on the adhesive itself either showing good contrast against the substrate or the adhesive fluorescing so that it can be visually picked up under a suitable camera detector.