A metering system for applying a bead of a multi-component composite material to a component, comprising:
- a mixing head, comprising:
- a mixing chamber;
- a first supply line for supplying a first component of the multi-component composite material from a source container of the first component to the mixing chamber;
- a second supply line for supplying a second component of the multi-component composite material from a source container of the second component to the mixing chamber;
- wherein the mixing chamber is configured to mix the first component and the second component of the multi-component composite material to form a mixed multi-component composite material comprising an adhesive foam or sealing foam in the mixing chamber;
- and
- an outlet opening through which the mixed multi-component composite material exits the mixing head;
- a first metering pump connected to the first supply line and arranged at a maximum distance of 2 m from the outlet opening of the mixing head, wherein the first metering pump is configured to control the introduction of the first component of the multi-component composite material into the mixing chamber;
- a second metering pump connected to the second supply line and arranged at a maximum distance of 2 m from the outlet opening of the mixing head, wherein the second metering pump is configured to control the introduction of the second component of the multi-component composite material into the mixing chamber,
- wherein the introduction of the first component and the second component into the mixing chamber causes a discharge of the mixed multi-component composite material through the outlet opening of the mixing head;
- a drive configured to move the outlet opening along a trajectory based on trajectory information received from a drive controller, wherein the trajectory information relates to the trajectory and a path velocity based on the trajectory;
- a control unit configured to output, to the first metering pump and the second metering pump, control signals comprising control information that causes first metering pump and the second metering pump to adjust metering outputs of the first component and the second component of the multi-component composite material,
- wherein the control unit is configured to receive, from the drive controller, the trajectory information, and to output, for each portion of the trajectory to which a different path velocity is allocated compared with at least one directly adjacent portion of the trajectory, first control information to the first metering pump a predetermined time period prior to outputting second control information to the second metering pump so that a cross-sectional area of the bead of the mixed multi-component composite material remains substantially constant over an entirety of the trajectory;
- a first supply pump connected to the first supply line and arranged adjacently to the source container of the first component;
- and
- a second supply pump connected to the second supply line and arranged adjacently to the source container of the second component.