gluer

A gluer is a person who applies adhesive to bonding surfaces, or a machine designed to apply glue as part of an automation process. In industrial settings, gluers are used to join substrates such as paper, cardboard, fabric, wood, or plastic. The term is commonly encountered in packaging, bookbinding, and manufacturing lines where consistent, rapid adhesion is required.

In packaging and carton manufacturing, a gluer refers to a glue application unit or glue machine integrated into a folder-gluer line. These machines deposit adhesive on flaps, edges, or join lines of corrugated boards, paperboard cartons, or labels. Most operate with hot-melt or cold-water-based adhesives, delivered by rollers, metering pumps, or spray heads, and synchronized with cutting, folding, and stacking operations. Modern gluers may include multiple glue heads, closed-loop viscosity control, and automated cleaning.

In bookbinding and paper crafts, gluers apply spine glue, endpaper adhesion, or cover material binding. They range from manual glue brushes and rollers to fully automated panels and conveyor systems. Open-time, set-time, and viscosity of the adhesive determine process parameters such as clamping pressure and cure time.

Adhesives used by gluers include hot-melt polymers (EVA or polyolefin), water-based polyvinyl acetate (PVA), animal glues, and cyanoacrylates, chosen for bond strength, flexibility, and dry-to-hand time. Selection depends on substrate compatibility, temperature exposure, and end-use requirements. Safety and cleanup involve proper ventilation, personal protective equipment, and appropriate disposal of solvent or adhesive waste.

See also: adhesive, glue, packaging machinery, binder, bookbinding.