+27 (0)11 821 9820 Contact us

Atlas Copco worldwide

Atlas Copco South Africa - Industrial tools & assembly solutions

News Careers

Closure applications in body shop

Learn more about our structural bonding, hem flange bonding and anti-flutter solutions for body-in-white

Challenges in closure applications:

The production of the closure parts (doors, engine hood, trunk lid, fenders) is a separate process step within the body-in-white production line. One of the most demanding joining operations at this point is the hem flange process.

Structural bonding

The optimization of the car body for stiffness and crash resistance is called structural bonding. In body shop, high viscosity adhesives are used to achieve those safe and reliable joints. Read more to find out which SCA applications are offered for structural bonding in body-in-white.

Bead application

Bead application for structural bonding

A standard bead is a preferred solution to gain outstanding strength and stiffness with epoxy-based adhesives in nearly every process step of body-in-white. The adhesive between inner and outer sheets not only fulfills a structural function, it also prevents corrosion, which is especially important in the production of all closure parts.

Hem flange bonding

The hem flange is a mechanical joint design used for joining inner and outer panels, such as doors, hoods, trunks or liftgates. Hemmed seams are also important for sunroof assembly. To increase crash resistance and to prevent corrosion, the gap between the hemmed panels has to be precisely filled with high-strength adhesive.

Swirl application

Bead and swirl application in comparison

Swirl technology for hem flange bonding in body-in-white is getting increasing attention. The reason for this attention rise is due to its ability to offer excellent material distribution and a more reliable process window. The handling of a bead application, especially in closures, can become quite difficult when there is complex part geometry. That's why the swirl technology and its flexibility is becoming more and more popular within the automotive industry. Check out the product brochure on our E-Swirl 2 AdX BIW below, and get to know our latest product.

Bead application

A traditional bead is still the most established application type in hem flange bonding. Its fast and reliable handling is its primary advantage. Sometimes the handling of a bead application can become quite difficult in complex part geometries. Our experts are more then willing to help you to find the right application type, tailored to your needs.

Learn more about hem flange bonding:

Pocket guide on hem flange bonding 5.2 MB, PDF
Product brochure: E-Swirl 2 AdX BIW 2 MB, PDF

Anti-flutter applications

Doors, hoods and trunks are often comprised of several parts which have to be connected elastically to reduce vulnerability to vibrations and noise during the operation of a car. These anti-flutter applications tend to be regular beads or dispensed dots.

Multidot application

Multidot and multiaxis applications often look similar

Multidot applications act as dampener and as a protective spacer between the inner and outer parts. Our dosing systems are able to apply up to 36 dots per dosing equipment. The average system layout consists of 8 to 10 dosing tools. If you want to know more about our anti-flutter solutions with multidot applications, don't hesitate to get in touch with us.

Multiaxis application

Anti-flutter application

When choosing anti-flutter applications for hoods, customers sometimes like to use a multiaxis solution to achieve a similar result as the multidot application. In comparison to the multidot application, the multiaxis application is often used for low volumes with long cycle times. The dosing system is mounted to a special axis and is managed through the adhesive system controller. This is a popular solution because it reduces the cycle time of the robot.

More body shop applications:

SCA dispensing system for body shop

SCA dispensing system for body shop

Learn more about our SCA components and products for automated adhesive application systems

Innovate with us

IAS SCA Dispensing solutions assembly line with two operators

Innovate with us

We offer comprehensive innovation and development support. Learn more about our Innovation Centers and test labs worldwide.

Service solutions

Technician working on flow drill fastening system

Service solutions

Service, training, spare parts and more ...

Self-pierce riveting

Self-pierce riveting

Henrob product line

Flow drill fastening

Flow drill fastening

K-Flow product line

Closure applications in body shop