In 2026, AMD Machines quoted a robotic adhesive bonding and magnet insertion cell at $130,000–$170,000 installed, including freight and insurance to the buyer's plant and installation and commissioning on site, taxes excluded. One robot sprays a surface activator, dispenses a metered shot of structural acrylic adhesive into a bore in each small carrier part, then picks a small cylindrical permanent magnet and presses it into the bore.
The same cell concept fits rotor and actuator magnets in small electric motors, sensor target magnets in molded housings, speaker and acoustic magnets, magnetic latches, bonded ferrite cores and pins or bushings held with retaining compound. Prices are ranges from AMD Machines' 2026 quote. For the full range of adhesive and sealant work we engineer, see our adhesive and sealant dispensing solutions page.
A magnet bonding cell is a guarded robotic station that primes a part and a magnet, dispenses a measured amount of adhesive into the part's bore, then inserts and seats the magnet to a set depth, so every bonded joint gets the same adhesive, the same flash-off time and the same pressing force. AMD Machines designs this cell so one robot does all of it, with no tool changes.
| Item | AMD Machines magnet bonding cell |
|---|---|
| Part family | Small carrier parts, each with a bore that receives a small permanent magnet; two part variants |
| Robot | KUKA KR 12 R650 with a dual end-of-arm tool |
| Adhesive system | Structural acrylic adhesive of about 19,000 cP with a solvent-based surface activator; 5-minute flash-off, 24-hour cure |
| Rate | A batch cell designed for under 2 parts per minute (about 35 s or more per part), one operator |
| Price | $130,000–$170,000 installed, taxes excluded |
| Lead time | 16–18 weeks |
What Is in This Magnet Bonding Cell?
AMD Machines designs the cell around one KUKA KR 12 R650 robot with a dual end-of-arm tool: the dispensing valves sit on one end and a Zimmer electric rotary gripper on the other, so the robot needs no tool changes. Batches of carriers sit in a machined fixture within the robot's reach, and the magnets wait in a machined magazine. AMD Machines specifies the equipment by brand in the quote:
| System | In the AMD Machines cell |
|---|---|
| Robot | KUKA KR 12 R650 |
| End-of-arm tool | Dual tool: dispensing valves on one end, Zimmer electric rotary gripper on the other |
| Activator spray | Nordson EFD 781S spray valve, 7140 spray valve controller (0–30 psi, 0–2.1 bar), about 0.26 gal (1 L) pressure tank |
| Adhesive dispense | Nordson EFD PST 725DA dispense valve, 7100 controller, 1.3 gal (5 L) pressure tank with a 100 psi (6.9 bar) regulator; timed metered shot with suck-back |
| Magnet press | SMC pneumatic press cylinder with two magnetic position sensors |
| Pneumatics | SMC filter-regulator-lubricator unit; four SMC valves on a manifold |
| Controls | Siemens S7-1200 PLC with I/O; 7 in Siemens HMI for recipe selection, batch and flash-off timer and alarms; start push button |
| Fixture | Machined batch fixture with a dedicated nest per model, a compliant seal in each nest, four part-presence sensors |
| Magnet feed | Machined magazine that holds the magnets with their polarity facing a set way |
| Structure | Welded steel base; aluminum-profile guarding with polycarbonate panels; leveling feet or casters; light tower |
How Much Does a Magnet Bonding Cell Cost?
AMD Machines quoted the magnet bonding cell at $130,000–$170,000, including freight and insurance to the buyer's plant and installation and commissioning on site with travel included, taxes excluded. The quote prices it in three lines:
| Line in the AMD Machines quote | Price range |
|---|---|
| Magnet bonding cell: robot, dual end-of-arm tool, spray and dispense systems, press, fixture, magazine, controls and guarding | $110,000–$140,000 |
| Freight and insurance to the buyer's plant | $11,000–$16,000 |
| Installation and commissioning on site, travel included | $9,000–$13,000 |
| Total installed | $130,000–$170,000 |
How Does This Cell Compare With AMD's Published Ranges?
The AMD Machines dispensing solutions page says: "A typical single-station robotic dispensing system from AMD Machines runs $150,000–$300,000, with multi-station integrated systems at $300,000–$600,000." At $110,000–$140,000 for the machine and $130,000–$170,000 installed, the machine in this AMD Machines cell sits below that single-station range, and the installed total reaches only into its low end. It is a manually loaded batch cell with one robot and a pneumatic press.
AMD Machines' guide to what automation costs lists "Custom automation (focused single station → multi-station line)" at "~$100K – $1.5M+"; this cell is a focused single station near the bottom of that range. For a very different adhesive process, AMD Machines' adhesive spray cell cost case study breaks down a spray cell with its own booth at $290,000–$360,000 with commissioning, robot not included.
What Are the Payment Terms for a Magnet Bonding Cell?
AMD Machines' payment terms for this cell are 40% with the purchase order, 35% at design release, 15% at approval at AMD and 10% at final approval, with a 12-month warranty.
What Moves the Price of a Magnet Bonding Cell?
| Cost driver | In the AMD Machines cell | How it moves the price |
|---|---|---|
| Loading | Batch fixture loaded by hand, one operator | Automatic part and magnet feeding would add equipment and controls |
| Rate | Under 2 parts per minute, batch flow | A shorter cycle would call for more valves, grippers or a second robot |
| Pressing | Pneumatic cylinder with stroke sensors | A servo press with force and position monitoring would cost more |
| Checks | Part presence and press stroke; polarity held, not verified | A polarity verification sensor is an option |
| Variants | Two, with an HMI recipe and dedicated nests each | Every new part format adds a nest and tooling |
Why One Robot With a Dual End-of-Arm Tool?
AMD's engineering team gives the robot two ends: the spray and dispense valves on one, the electric rotary gripper on the other. One robot applies both fluids and assembles the part, with no tool changes. In this AMD Machines batch cell, designed for under 2 parts per minute, one KUKA KR 12 R650 does all three jobs.
AMD Machines specifies dispensing equipment from a family a plant's maintenance team often already knows. The design is collaborative: AMD Machines runs weekly design reviews with the buyer through the design phase.
How Does the Cell Hold Adhesive Volume Without a Volumetric Spec?
A manual process judges the fill by eye. There is no volumetric specification to automate against, so AMD's engineering team sets the shot volume with the buyer during development, then the Nordson EFD controller holds it: a timed, metered shot with suck-back. The shot is tuned to keep squeeze-out low when the magnet goes in; any squeeze-out left is cleaned by hand at unload.
The bore has a small through-hole at the bottom, and a manual process tapes it. AMD Machines replaces the tape with a compliant seal in each nest that closes the through-hole when the carrier is seated, so there is no tape to apply.
How Does the Cell Work Around a 5-Minute Flash-Off?
The solvent-based surface activator in the AMD Machines cell needs a 5-minute flash-off before adhesive goes on. Rather than leave the robot idle through it, the PLC times the flash-off per batch and pipelines the work: the robot dispenses and inserts on one group of carriers while the next group flashes off. The HMI shows the batch and flash-off timer. The 24-hour cure happens after the parts leave the cell, outside the AMD Machines scope.
How Does the Magnet Bonding Cycle Run, Step by Step?
The AMD Machines cell runs each batch in seven steps:
- The operator loads a batch of carriers into the nests and magnets into the polarity-oriented magazine, then presses start.
- Presence sensors confirm every carrier is seated; the compliant seal in each nest closes the through-hole at the bottom of the bore.
- The robot sprays activator into each bore and onto each magnet's bonding faces.
- The PLC times a 5-minute flash-off per batch, pipelined so one group flashes off while the robot works on another.
- The robot dispenses a metered shot of adhesive into each primed bore.
- The gripper picks each magnet and inserts it, keeping the orientation the magazine sets.
- The pneumatic press seats the magnet to its final depth with controlled force, and the cylinder's sensors confirm the stroke.
The AMD Machines cell keeps magnet polarity but doesn't verify it. A polarity verification sensor is an option. Another option replaces the fixture's presence sensors with two laser sensors on the end-of-arm tool, one to confirm the part is there and one to check its position before the pick.
Which Parts and Industries Does This Magnet Bonding Cell Fit?
AMD Machines' magnet bonding cell concept fits small parts that take a bonded magnet, pin or insert, in automotive, electronics, consumer goods and general manufacturing:
| Part family or application | What would change |
|---|---|
| Rotor or actuator magnet bonding in small electric motors (automotive, consumer) | Nest geometry, more magnets per part, possibly a polarity sensor |
| Speaker and acoustic magnet or pole-piece bonding (consumer electronics) | A flat bonding face instead of a bore; centering tooling |
| Sensor target magnets in molded housings (automotive and electronics position sensors) | Tighter depth control (a servo press or a position check) and polarity verification |
| Bushing, pin or bearing retention with anaerobic retaining compound (general manufacturing) | The chemistry (no activator flash-off), press force, possibly a servo press |
| Magnetic latches and closures in housings (consumer goods, furniture hardware) | Magazine format, a shorter cycle |
| Bonded inserts or ferrite cores in small electrical components (electronics, energy) | Adhesive viscosity and a finer dispense tip |
For these industries, see AMD Machines' automotive manufacturing automation, electronics manufacturing automation and consumer products automation pages. Our automated dispensing systems page compares dispensing methods by material and accuracy, and our guide to adhesive dispensing in automated assembly covers process development and validation.
What Safety Does a Magnet Bonding Cell Need?
AMD Machines fully encloses the cell. Safety light curtains guard the load opening, so the operator exchanges trays and magazines without opening a door, and the service door is interlocked. The cell has an emergency stop and three safety relays, one each for the e-stop, light curtain and door circuits. The documentation includes an ISO 12100 risk assessment.
In your request for quote, specify UL 508A control panels and NFPA 79 machine wiring.
What Does the Magnet Bonding Cell Quote Include and Leave Out?
| In the AMD Machines quote | Left out of the AMD Machines quote |
|---|---|
| Design, build and programming | Adhesive, activator and other consumables |
| Validation at AMD on a 300-part production lot | The 24-hour cure, post-cure inspection, packaging, curing trays and racks |
| Freight and insurance to the buyer's plant | Cosmetic cleanup of squeeze-out (manual, at unload) |
| Installation and commissioning on site, travel included | The polarity verification sensor (an option) |
| Documentation: 3D and 2D files; operator, troubleshooting and technician manuals; risk assessment; specifications; installation guide; electrical and pneumatic diagrams; preventive maintenance plan; spare-parts list; bill of materials | Carrier formats outside the defined range |
| 12-month warranty | Utilities and taxes |
How Long Does It Take to Build a Magnet Bonding Cell?
AMD Machines' lead time for this cell is 16–18 weeks. Once the buyer's site is ready, allow about 2–3 weeks for installation, commissioning and the site acceptance test.
For comparison, AMD Machines delivers simple machines in as little as 6 weeks and complex systems in 24–26 weeks, against 40–42 weeks typical for overseas builders. A one-robot batch cell lands between the two. See our custom automation lead times for what sets the schedule.
What Should You Send to Get a Magnet Bonding Cell Quoted?
AMD Machines quotes a bonding cell from your part and your process. Send:
- 3D models of every part variant and the magnet or insert, with the bore and bonding faces marked
- the adhesive and activator you use, with their data sheets, flash-off and cure times
- the volume of adhesive per joint, or a sample joint if no volumetric spec exists yet
- whether polarity must be verified, and the required seating depth and press force
- annual volume, shifts and your target cycle time or rate
- how parts and magnets arrive: trays, tubes, bulk or a magazine
- your utilities and preferred brands for PLC, HMI, robot and dispensing
Magnet Bonding Cell FAQ
How much does a magnet bonding cell cost?
A one-robot magnet bonding and insertion cell costs $130,000–$170,000 in a 2026 AMD Machines quote, including freight, insurance, installation and commissioning, taxes excluded. The machine itself is $110,000–$140,000 of that.
Can one robot apply the adhesive and insert the magnet?
Yes. AMD Machines designs this cell with a dual end-of-arm tool: dispensing valves on one end and an electric rotary gripper on the other, so one KUKA KR 12 R650 sprays the activator, dispenses the adhesive and inserts the magnet with no tool changes.
Does the cell check magnet polarity?
The AMD Machines cell keeps polarity through a magazine that holds every magnet facing a set way and a gripper that keeps that orientation, but it doesn't verify it. A polarity verification sensor is an option, for example for sensor target magnets.
How long does the adhesive take to cure?
The structural acrylic adhesive in this AMD Machines cell takes 24 hours to cure after a 5-minute activator flash-off. The cell handles the flash-off by pipelining batches; the cure happens outside the cell, and curing trays and racks are outside the AMD Machines scope.
If you're budgeting a cell to bond magnets, pins or inserts into small parts, send us your part and adhesive and AMD Machines will tell you what the cell needs and what it costs.