Metering system

A method for applying a bead of a multi-component composite material to a component, comprising:

• providing a mixing head having one supply line for each component of the multi-component composite material, each supply line leading from a source of the respective component to a mixing chamber of the mixing head, wherein the mixing head is configured to mix the individual components of the multi-component composite material in the mixing chamber, wherein the mixing head has an outlet opening through which the mixed multi-component composite material exits the mixing head;
• providing a metering pump that is configured to convey a discharge of the multi-component composite material through the outlet opening of the mixing head wherein the metering pump is arranged adjacently to the outlet opening along a fluid path from the metering pump towards the outlet opening;
• and
• operating a control unit to output, to the metering pump, a control signal comprising control information so that a metering output of the multi-component composite material through the outlet opening of the mixing head can be adjusted based on the control signal,
• wherein the control unit contains and/or receives one or more of (A) information related to a trajectory along which the outlet opening will be moved to apply the multi-component composite material or (B) information related to a path velocity based on the trajectory, and
• wherein the control unit outputs, 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, separate control information to the metering pump so that a cross-sectional area of the bead of multi-component composite material remains substantially constant over the entire trajectory, wherein the trajectory comprises different path velocities,
• providing one supply pump per component of the multi-component composite material, wherein each supply pump is arranged adjacently to a respective component container that contains a particular component of the multi-component composite material.