How adhesive providers can empower electronics engineers

Adhesives continue to occupy a vital place in the toolkit of electronics engineers, helping them to innovative solutions that facilitate electrical interconnect, provide structural integrity, offer critical protection, and transfer heat for reliable performance.

Accordingly, in a competitive market, adhesive providers are committed to offering end-to-end support for their customers, not only to enhance customer experience but also to help train and encourage future generations of engineers.

For today’s product manufacturers, simply selling the product is no longer enough. Particularly for strong adhesive products, it is crucial that proper training takes place and there is a trusted partnership between user and supplier.

Therefore, adhesive technology experts must work closely with engineers and other industry professionals to ensure the correct use of their products. A collaborative adhesive provider will often deliver in-person workshops and line surveys to foster close partnerships with customers. These sessions are designed to provide both practical and theoretical knowledge, empowering industry professionals with the latest best practices in adhesive application.

This not only benefits the engineers themselves but also provides an invaluable opportunity for product manufacturers to engage directly with the community and better understand their customers’ needs. For engineering or manufacturing companies looking to keep their teams on the cutting edge, these courses are renewable, ensuring that their knowledge and application skills remain current.

As well as in-person workshops and training, some adhesive providers take adhesive education a step further. For instance, LOCTITE now offers educational initiatives aimed at enhancing the understanding and application of adhesives. The LOCTITE Xplore E-learning platform is a free, online education tool and has recently expanded its reach by partnering with several prestigious universities to help upskill prospective industry professionals. This platform provides comprehensive training that is instrumental in shaping the future of adhesive technology.

The range of modules aims to empower the next generation of engineering professionals, providing deep insights into the world of adhesive bonding. Supporting universities such as Glasgow Caledonian, Newcastle, Oxford Brookes, Southampton, Surrey, Hertfordshire, Strathclyde, Leicester, and the University of West England, LOCTITE is committed to building on its success with LOCTITE Xplore by continuing to broaden its course offerings for students and prospective engineers.

Currently available to over 5,000 students at more than 20 universities, the courses provide free certified learning to any student and is accessible worldwide through mobile phones, tablets, or desktop computers. From the basics of adhesive chemistry to advanced application techniques, each chapter is designed to build a solid foundation of knowledge and practical skills.

In addition to the educational content, the module features a Technology Selector tool. This interactive element guides users to the most suitable LOCTITE products for their specific needs. Should users not find a perfect match, the platform encourages them to reach out to LOCTITE experts for personalised consultations. The integration of these new technologies underscores the importance for adhesive providers to think innovatively about the ways they can provide comprehensive end-to-end support for their customers.

Another way companies can work closely with the industry and invest in engineers of the future is through sponsorships with universities. For example, the University of Hertfordshire, currently partnered with LOCTITE, receives support from the adhesive company in its training of engineers and manufacturers, receiving products and resources to assist students with practical learning.

Not only do trainee engineers benefit from these collaborative partnerships, but even the most seasoned engineers can upskill and fill knowledge gaps with dedicated training from specialist adhesive providers. For the adhesive company, this provides insights into how they can improve and develop their products with experienced engineer feedback and enables them to see exactly how the product is being used by customers in the industry.

Overall, the strong partnerships between adhesive product manufacturers and engineers across a range of sectors can provide a range of benefits for both engineers and the adhesive companies, allowing continuous design and innovation to meet the industry’s evolving needs.