One of the most misunderstood components of the Gartech Glue System is its Glue Pump (part no. GAR-GU2-0100). While the glue system is gravity-fed, the pump accelerates the process of removing glue and water out of the Glue Shoe and away from the Glue Wheel.
The Glue Pump is located near the floor and always lower than the mechanical Glue Unit. In most installs, it’s placed in an easily observed, yet out of the way location to eliminate entanglement and tripping. Gartech Glue Systems manufactured in the past five years have included a control stand that fixes the Glue Pump on its own base outside the machine, underneath the Control Panel and Pneumatic Panel.
Note: Third-party-purchased systems have excluded this stand by the demand of the original equipment manufacturer.
What does the Glue Pump do?
The non-metallic 1/2″ diaphragm pump uses compressed air to perform two functions: cycling and elimination. These processes are carried out through its attached actuator assembly, called the 3-Way Diverter Valve. This assembly has (3) ports, two of which redirect fluids as they exit the Gartech Glue System.
Port 1: Connects the 3-Way Diverter Valve to the top of the Glue Pump.
Port 2: Cycles unused glue back to the Gartech Glue Reservoir.
Port 3: Eliminates water to the facility’s waste pit.
The 3-way diverter valve assembly (part no. GAR-GU2-0100V) is available for separate purchase and often doesn’t need to be replaced with the glue pump. The same is true, that you can replace the diverter valve assembly without having to replace the glue pump.
This is the only component in the Gartech Glue System that works against gravity. Let’s explain: The fluids (glue and water) flow out of the Glue Manifold and enter the Glue Pump at its base connection. The pump then cycles these fluids upward and out through the 3-Way Diverter Valve at the top of the pump. From the 3-Way Diverter Valve, fluids are redirected in one of two directions:
Glue Cycle: Sends glue back to the glue reservoir, where it cycles through the glue system again.
Wash Cycle: Sends used water and contaminants (paper dust) out to the waste pit.
Purge Cycle: We wanted to note this because it’s the fast-paced cycling sound that pulls usable glue away prior to a wash cycle. We don’t like to waste good glue or the money you’ve spent on it.
These options are determined from the interface of the Gartech Control Panel, which we’ll cover in an upcoming entry. This entry focuses on the physical, mechanical components in the Glue Pump assembly.
Later we’ll put together an instructional layout on how to convert a stock pump into a functional replacement pump for the Gartech Glue System. For now, scroll down and find photos that illustrate the common components on the standard assembly.
Gartech Glue Pump Assembly (GAR-GU2-0100)
In the above Photo 2, notice item no. 8. This is a small black disc-shaped rubber plug that closes a hole inside the pump body. Without it, the pump doesn’t perform.
The push-fitting on the other side of this gasket is the point of connection for the 1/4″ Clear Yellow airline that supplies the Glue Pump.
Function of the Glue Pump Airlines
The Glue Pump is one component where the color-coded airlines help eliminate confusion. Though there are only (3) external airline connections, each one serves a distinct function:
Clear (Translucent) Yellow: This 1/4″ airline originates from inside the Pneumatic Panel and provides the Glue Pump with its air supply. This is the only airline that connects to the pump body.
Gray: This 1/4″ airline redirects the actuator and opens the valve letting used water flow out to the facility-designated waste pit. It connects to the “A” fitting on the 3-Way Diverter Valve actuator. (A is Gray). This function is activated after choosing Stop Glue and entering a Wash Cycle.
Note: At the same time this cycle is running, air is being applied through the red airline on the Glue Manifold, stopping the flow of glue. In this one application, the Glue System sends air to multiple locations, which is why it’s important to keep the air set to the correct level. We recommend 80 psi max.
Orange: This 1/4″ airline connects to the “B” fitting on the 3-Way Diverter Valve actuator. It opens the actuator and diverts glue back to the Glue Reservoir when performing an Upper or Lower Glue Cycle. This is the commonly used function.
Note: While air is being applied to this portion, it’s also flowing through the green airline on the Glue Manifold, allowing the flow of glue to the shoe.
Crossing the gray and orange airlines is the most common reason for a contaminated Glue Reservoir because this sends wastewater into the clean glue supply.
Additional airlines:
The small 1/8″ airline (part of the 67165-2 solenoid kit) is part of the factory kit. We’ve zoomed in on it in the picture below:
Its purpose is specific to the pump diaphragm itself, driving the internal shuttlecock back and forth. Both the air source and the power source for the Glue Pump originate from the Pneumatic Panel, though this airline is contained in a closed-loop on the pump body.
Without the connection of the Clear Yellow airline, it cannot function because it has no air. You’ll hear the pump speed up or slow down when it’s cycling at a normal pace or purging at a faster pace.
Reinforced hoses
The hoses that deliver and carry away glue and water aren’t shown in these photos for the purpose of clarity. We use a mesh-reinforced hose to prevent collapse of the lines, produced by the suction in the pump. A collapsed hose looks flattened (closed) in shape instead of round (open). When this happens, it’s important to reduce the suction, remove the blockage, or replace the hose.
The Glue Pump Under Power
This is a solenoid-actuated diaphragm pump; meaning this application uses electronic control to set the cycle rate (sometimes called the stroke rate). A solenoid is a protected coil of wire that acts as a magnet and delivers an electric current.
The electronic control tells the solenoid how often to energize, letting the pump stroke and place fluid in one of the pump’s chambers. It’s then told to de-energize via the program. At that point, the pump strokes in the opposite direction and places the fluid into the pump’s second chamber.
The stroke rate is set in the program of the Control Panel. We don’t encourage operators to change these settings without the express permission of a supervisor who has the authorized passcode for altering pre-programmed settings.
One reason we train operators to perform a wash cycle at the end of the shift is to protect the inner-workings of the Glue Pump. If the glue sets up, the diaphragm turns rigid. This would be like suffocating the pump.
Pump Replacement Kit
Did you know your Gartech Glue Pump can be rebuilt and repaired? The factory-issued repair kit (ARO part no. 67165-2) is used to convert the stock pump into a working Glue Pump and can be ordered direct from an ARO distributor or through our offices.
If you scroll back up to Picture 2, item no. 7, you’ll see the spool-like valve block that fits into the pump. The repair kits offer two varieties and the pump itself comes with a closed block, that must be removed. Below is the photo and measurement of the valve block in the repair kit that is not used.
Thank you.