Why Application Matters Just as Much as the Sealant Itself
In ammunition manufacturing, sealants are essential. They protect primers from moisture, seal case mouths, and ensure cartridges perform reliably under all conditions. But while the industry spends significant time selecting the right sealant chemistry—UV curing, anaerobic, solvent-based—not enough attention is given to the other half of the equation: the way the sealant is applied.
Even the best sealant will fail if it’s dispensed inconsistently.
A bead that’s too large creates excess waste and increases cleanup. Too small, and the seal can fail entirely. An uneven application can compromise ballistic consistency, shelf life, and moisture resistance. And in high-speed ammunition production, even tiny inconsistencies can lead to thousands of defective rounds.
This is why leading defense, aerospace, and commercial ammunition manufacturers are adopting precision dispensing systems—automated technologies engineered to deliver exact, repeatable sealant volumes at high speed. In the push for higher reliability and lower defect rates, precision dispensing is becoming one of the most important—and overlooked—factors driving ammunition manufacturing quality.
What Is Precision Dispensing? The Technology Behind Consistency
Precision dispensing refers to the controlled, automated application of sealants and sealants using equipment designed for accuracy, repeatability, and integration with high-speed manufacturing lines. These systems ensure that every round receives the correct amount of sealant, applied to the exact location, at the exact moment needed.
Core Features of Precision Dispensing Systems
1. Volume Control
Precision dispensers allow manufacturers to control sealant volume down to microliter-level accuracy. This avoids over- or under-sealing and keeps each round within strict quality specifications.
2. Repeatability
Repeatability is the backbone of ammunition reliability. A dispenser must be capable of applying the same volume, pattern, and placement thousands of times per hour without drift. High-end systems maintain extremely tight tolerances, even over long production cycles.
3. Integration With Automation
Modern ammunition production requires speed, not just accuracy. Precision dispensing systems are designed to integrate seamlessly with conveyors, robotic handling, sealing machinery, UV curing systems, and inspection modules. Automated calibration, feedback sensors, and programmable settings make it easy to run multiple calibers or shift between SKUs without downtime.
4. Clean, Controlled Application
Precision dispensers reduce stringing, dripping, smearing, and other application defects that can affect sealing quality or contaminate the production line.
5. Compatibility With Advanced Sealants
As UV-curable and specialty sealants become more common in next-gen ammo lines, dispensing equipment must support varying viscosities and cure characteristics. Well-designed systems can handle all of Hernon’s sealant chemistries with ease.
In short, precision dispensing turns sealant application from a variable into a controlled science.
How Precision Dispensing Improves Ammunition Manufacturing
Precision dispensing plays a critical role across the entire ammunition sealing process, from primer pockets to case mouths. The benefits extend far beyond perfect seals—they directly impact throughput, cost, and operational efficiency.
Minimizing Waste
Without precise control, lines often use more sealant than necessary to avoid under-sealing. But this “just add more” philosophy quickly becomes expensive.
Precision dispensing systems:
- Optimize adhesive usage
- Reduce scrap and rework
- Eliminate excessive bead size
- Support lean manufacturing initiatives
For plants producing millions of rounds per month, even a small reduction in sealant volume can translate into meaningful cost savings.
Consistent Case Mouth and Primer Sealing
Ammunition reliability depends heavily on proper sealing. The sealant must be applied:
- In the correct location
- At the correct volume
- With consistent distribution
- Without voids, skips, or excess material
Precision dispensing ensures uniform application every time, resulting in:
- Stronger moisture barriers
- Longer storage stability
- Improved ballistic consistency
- Fewer QC failures
This is especially important for ammunition used in harsh environments, military operations, or long-term stockpiling programs.
Faster Line Speed — Without Increasing Defects
Traditional dispensing systems often limit production speed because they can’t maintain accuracy at high throughput rates. In contrast, modern precision dispensers are designed for rapid, coordinated movement, capable of matching the speed of the fastest sealing machines.
When paired with automated inspection and UV curing, precision dispensing allows manufacturers to:
- Increase output
- Maintain tight tolerances
- Keep defect rates extremely low
- Reduce operator intervention
This combination of speed and quality is exactly what ammunition manufacturers need to stay competitive in today’s high-demand market.
Technology in Action — Hernon’s Precision Dispensing Solutions
Hernon Manufacturing provides an integrated portfolio of sealants, UV curing systems, sealants, and precision dispensing equipment—all engineered to work together in ammunition applications.
Hernon’s Precision Dispensing Benefits Include:
1. Seamless Integration With Hernon Sealants
Our dispensing systems are designed to optimize the performance of Hernon sealants and UV-curing sealants. This eliminates guesswork and ensures ideal flow characteristics, cure rates, and sealing profiles.
2. Equipment + Chemistry Compatibility
Because Hernon manufactures both the sealants and the equipment, each formulation is validated for consistent dispensing behavior—something competitors cannot easily match.
3. High-Speed Performance
Whether running 120 parts per minute or 240 parts per minute, Hernon’s dispensing platforms maintain excellent volume and placement consistency, even across multi-caliber operations.
4. Programmable Precision
Operators can easily switch between sealing patterns, dispense volumes, or calibers. Automated calibration routines prevent drift, ensuring quality from the first round to the millionth.
5. Reduced Maintenance and Downtime
Hernon’s dispensing systems use robust, industrial-grade components designed to withstand continuous operation in demanding ammunition environments. Clean internal routing, stable frames, and modern controls minimize service interruptions.
Examples of Hernon Dispensing Technology in Action:
- Case mouth sealing paired with UV-curable sealants
- Primer pocket sealing with controlled microdot placement
- Integration with Hernon UV-curing chambers for instant cure
- Use alongside inspection cameras for zero-defect production
- Robotic or semi-automated platforms for multi-caliber ammunition lines
Together, Hernon’s chemistry + dispensing solutions provide unmatched accuracy and efficiency in ammunition sealing.
The Bottom Line — Why Precision Dispensing Is Now a Competitive Advantage
As ammunition production accelerates worldwide, manufacturers face a clear challenge: produce more rounds, produce them faster, and ensure every one meets increasingly strict quality standards.
Precision dispensing solves the root causes of sealing inconsistencies by transforming sealant application into a predictable, automated, and measurable process. Manufacturers who rely on manual or basic dispensing systems will continue to struggle with:
- Higher defect rates
- Slower throughput
- Elevated material costs
- Inconsistent sealing performance
- Difficulties meeting defense procurement benchmarks
The manufacturers who adopt precision dispensing, on the other hand, gain:
- Reduced scrap
- Increased line efficiency
- Stronger, more consistent seals
- Greater reliability for mission-critical ammunition
- Higher customer confidence and stronger contract performance
Simply put, precision dispensing is no longer optional. It’s a foundational element of next-generation ammunition manufacturing.
Ready to Improve Your Sealing Process? Explore Hernon’s Integrated Dispensing Solutions
Hernon offers fully integrated solutions combining precision dispensing equipment, advanced sealants, and curing technologies—all engineered specifically for ammunition manufacturing.
Contact Hernon for consultations, equipment recommendations, and complete system demonstrations.
Let our team show you how precision dispensing can reduce waste, increase speed, and elevate the quality of every round you produce.
