Adhesive Consumption Calculations
Talk to an expert for help determining your adhesive requirements.
![](https://www.hotmelt-tech.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Adhesive-Consumption-Chart.png)
This chart can be used to calculate an approximate Usage Rate.
Usage Rate
How much adhesive you will be using per hour (lb/hour) by an assembly process.
- Example: Your part uses a 3/16″ bead that is 10 ft long, and you produce 200 parts per hour.
- Calculation: Using the table above, the approximate weight of a 3/16″ bead is 0.00476 lb per linear foot. 0.00476 lb per ft x 10 ft bead (per part) = 0.0476 lb per part. 200 parts x 0.0476 lb per part = approx. 10 lb per hour usage rate.
Melt Rate
The rate in lb per hour that a hot melt tank system can melt a specific adhesive or sealant.
- Usage Rate should not exceed Melt Rate.
- Not all hot melts or sealants melt at the same rate. Viscosity, softening point, and other material properties can drastically change the rate that a hot melt unit can melt an adhesive.
- Melt Tank Capacity – The size of the melt tank and the Usage Rate will determine how often adhesive should be added to the tank.