Checking UV Glue Curing While It Happens in Robotic Assembly
This patent describes a system that uses a light guide to shine UV light on glue, then immediately checks how well the glue is curing by measuring reflected light, all within a robot assembly line.
Original patent title: “UV curing apparatus with light guide and in-process radiometry”
This patent describes a system that uses a light guide to shine UV light on glue, then immediately checks how well the glue is curing by measuring reflected light, all within a robot assembly line. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes an apparatus for curing adhesives in an automated assembly process while simultaneously checking the curing quality. It uses a radiation source, like a UV lamp, to emit light that hardens the adhesive in a specific curing area. A 'radiation guide' then transmits this light from the source directly to the adhesive. Crucially, a sensor positioned near the radiation guide measures the light reflected off the adhesive *during* the curing process. A controller then analyzes this reflected light to see if it meets a certain quality level, or 'threshold'. If the curing isn't going as planned, the controller can signal a 'remedial action', such as re-applying adhesive or marking the part for inspection. For example, in assembling a smartphone, a robot applies a tiny drop of UV-curable glue, the system cures it, and simultaneously verifies the glue's hardness. If the reflection indicates the glue is still soft, the robot might automatically re-do the step.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Curing processes that do not use radiation, such as those relying on heat, moisture, or chemical reactions.
- Radiation curing systems that do not include a dedicated light guide to direct the radiation to the curing area.
- Systems that perform quality checks on cured adhesives only *after* the curing process is complete, rather than during.
- Methods of evaluating adhesive curing that do not involve measuring reflected radiation, such as temperature or acoustic measurements.
- Curing apparatuses that do not include a controller configured to signal a 'remedial action' based on the measurement.
- Systems that cure materials other than adhesives, like paints or coatings, without the specific in-process reflection measurement for quality control.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The noveltynoveltyThe requirement that an invention be different from anything publicly known before its priority date.Read more → lies in integrating the quality control directly into the curing process itself. Instead of curing an adhesive and then checking it later, this system measures the reflection of the curing light *as it happens*, allowing for immediate feedback and correction.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Automated assembly of smartphone components
Bonding of optical lenses in cameras
Manufacturing of medical devices like catheters or syringes
Assembly of automotive electronic modules
Industrial production lines for consumer electronics
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This technology is important for ensuring high quality in automated manufacturing where adhesives are critical, such as in electronics or medical devices. By checking the curing process in real-time, it helps prevent defects and reduces waste, as issues can be caught and corrected immediately. This leads to more reliable products and more efficient production lines, saving time and resources.
Filed
June 21, 2024
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies specializing in industrial automation and UV curing equipment are active in this space. Firms like Nordson EFD, Dymax, and Henkel (through their Loctite brand) develop advanced dispensing and curing systems. Robotics companies such as FANUC and KUKA integrate these curing solutions into their automated assembly cells, continuously improving precision and quality control for manufacturing processes.
Market impact
This type of in-process quality control technology significantly improves manufacturing reliability and efficiency. It reduces the rate of defective products that rely on UV-cured adhesives, which is critical in high-precision industries like consumer electronics and medical device manufacturing. By enabling immediate detection and correction of curing issues, it helps companies achieve higher product quality, lower production costs, and faster throughput, thereby strengthening their competitive position.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes an apparatus for curing adhesives in an automated assembly process while simultaneously checking the curing quality. It uses a radiation source, like a UV lamp, to emit light that hardens the adhesive in a specific curing area. A 'radiation guide' then transmits this light from the source directly to the adhesive. Crucially, a sensor positioned near the radiation guide measures the light reflected off the adhesive *during* the curing process. A controller then analyzes this reflected light to see if it meets a certain quality level, or 'threshold'. If the curing isn't going as planned, the controller can signal a 'remedial action', such as re-applying adhesive or marking the part for inspection. For example, in assembling a smartphone, a robot applies a tiny drop of UV-curable glue, the system cures it, and simultaneously verifies the glue's hardness. If the reflection indicates the glue is still soft, the robot might automatically re-do the step.
The clever bit
The novelty lies in integrating the quality control directly into the curing process itself. Instead of curing an adhesive and then checking it later, this system measures the reflection of the curing light *as it happens*, allowing for immediate feedback and correction.
What it does not cover
- Curing processes that do not use radiation, such as those relying on heat, moisture, or chemical reactions.
- Radiation curing systems that do not include a dedicated light guide to direct the radiation to the curing area.
- Systems that perform quality checks on cured adhesives only *after* the curing process is complete, rather than during.
- Methods of evaluating adhesive curing that do not involve measuring reflected radiation, such as temperature or acoustic measurements.
- Curing apparatuses that do not include a controller configured to signal a 'remedial action' based on the measurement.
- Systems that cure materials other than adhesives, like paints or coatings, without the specific in-process reflection measurement for quality control.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$11K – $35K
Midpoint $22K · 17.7 yr remaining · industry ×0.9
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). Checking UV Glue Curing While It Happens in Robotic Assembly (U.S. Patent No. 12,734,750). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12734750/uv-curing-apparatus-with-light-guide-and-in-process-radiometry
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Checking UV Glue Curing While It Happens in Robotic Assembly cover?
This patent describes a system that uses a light guide to shine UV light on glue, then immediately checks how well the glue is curing by measuring reflected light, all within a robot assembly line.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
This technology is important for ensuring high quality in automated manufacturing where adhesives are critical, such as in electronics or medical devices. By checking the curing process in real-time, it helps prevent defects and reduces waste, as issues can be caught and corrected immediately. This leads to more reliable products and more efficient production lines, saving time and resources.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Curing processes that do not use radiation, such as those relying on heat, moisture, or chemical reactions.
Patent monitoring