Numerical Simulation and Experimental Study on Droplet Spreading Dynamics of Needle Dispensing Valve

WU Qiumin; LUO Yichao; SUN Dongyue; WANG Zhibin; WEI Xingqiang; CHEN Zhijian

doi:10.19554/j.cnki.1001-3563.2026.07.018

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Packaging Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (7) : 149-158. DOI: 10.19554/j.cnki.1001-3563.2026.07.018

Automatic and Intelligent Technology

Numerical Simulation and Experimental Study on Droplet Spreading Dynamics of Needle Dispensing Valve

WU Qiumin¹, LUO Yichao¹, SUN Dongyue^2,3,*, WANG Zhibin^1,2, WEI Xingqiang^1,2, CHEN Zhijian²

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Abstract

The work aims to analyze the droplet spreading behavior of needle dispensing valves to improve the predictability and controllability of droplet size so as to improve the precision of droplet size spreading in the glue dispensing process for packaging materials. A transient simulation model for droplet ejection from the needle dispensing valve was developed by ANSYS Fluent, incorporating the VOF multiphase flow model and dynamic mesh technology. This model was used to analyze the effects of supply pressure, needle lift coefficient, valve opening time, and glycerol volume fraction on the spreading diameter. Concurrently, a high-precision experimental platform was established for validation to ensure data reliability. The results showed that the droplet spreading process exhibited four dynamic stages of "impact, expansion, contraction, and stabilization". Increases in supply pressure, needle lift coefficient, and valve opening time all significantly enlarged the droplet spreading diameter, whereas an increase in the glycerol volume fraction reduces it. The relative error between experimental and simulation data ranges from 2.05% to 4.63%, validating the model's effectiveness. In conclusion, a finite element simulation model capable of accurately replicating the dynamic droplet spreading process of the needle dispensing valve is established and validated. Based on this model, the quantitative influence laws of key process parameters—supply pressure, needle lift coefficient, valve opening time, and glycerol volume fraction—on the final spreading diameter are revealed. This research provides an effective analysis tool for the droplet spreading mechanism in dispensing processes. The clarified parameter regulation principles offer theoretical basis and process guidance for enhancing the control precision of droplet spreading diameter.

Key words

needle dispensing valve / droplet spreading / multiphase flow model / finite element simulation

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WU Qiumin, LUO Yichao, SUN Dongyue, WANG Zhibin, WEI Xingqiang, CHEN Zhijian. Numerical Simulation and Experimental Study on Droplet Spreading Dynamics of Needle Dispensing Valve[J]. Packaging Engineering. 2026, 47(7): 149-158 https://doi.org/10.19554/j.cnki.1001-3563.2026.07.018

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