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Automotive application guide

Temporary assembly and positioning before fastening

Temporary assembly covers operations where a part must be held temporarily before final assembly, sewing, screwing, clipping, permanent bonding, quality control or dimensional validation. In automotive applications, this use case is common at preparation stations and for jigs, trims, textiles, foams, protection, decorative elements and inspection tasks.

Repositionable adhesives, thin double-sided tapes, PE foams or transfer tapes can secure an intermediate step without necessarily creating an immediate permanent bond. They help prepare parts, reduce positioning errors and keep the workstation clean.

  • Position a part before final fastening
  • Temporarily secure a template or protective covering
  • Prepare elements before sewing or screwing
  • Reduce positioning errors
  • Facilitate intermediate checks
  • Keep the workstation clean without liquid adhesive
  • Reposition certain elements depending on the adhesive chosen
Temporary automotive assembly and positioning before fastening
Application example: temporarily securing a part before final fastening.

Choose the adhesive according to the required holding strength

Each operation has a different requirement: clean repositioning, light holding, thickness compensation, very flat thin bonding or pre-equipping parts with the liner left in place.

Positioning trim before screwing or clipping

Before mechanical fixing, some trims must be positioned correctly on their support. Temporary double-sided tape holds the part in place while the final operation is carried out.

This application is useful for interior panels, decorative inserts, protection, foams or trim components that must remain aligned before clipping, screwing, stapling or final validation.

Positioning automotive trim before screwing or clipping
Risk to avoid Trim slipping, poor alignment, a part moving during assembly, repositioning or final fixing performed on a poorly positioned part.
Examples of use
  • Position door trim before screwing
  • Hold an interior panel before clipping
  • Align a decorative insert before final validation
  • Hold a protective covering or foam before stapling
  • Stabilise a part during dimensional inspection
  • Prevent trim from slipping during assembly
  • Prepare several components before series assembly

Suitable DERFI products

L1541R L1541R Transparent repositionable PET double-sided tape for precise adjustments. K1144 K1144 Non-woven double-sided tape for light assemblies and thin surfaces. DT001 DT001 Transfer tape for thin bonding when the fixing becomes permanent. E6641 E6641 Economical white PP double-sided tape for versatile temporary holding. N6643N N6643N 3 mm black PE foam for thick holding and compensation.

Suitable DERFI machines

DSH DSH Application of double-sided tape with liner separation and recovery. DSH-TR DSH-TR Controlled application of transfer tapes. SAT20-LA / SAT20-HA SAT20-LA / SAT20-HA Pre-equipping parts with the liner kept in place until assembly. ZCM1000 / ZCM2000 ZCM1000 / ZCM2000 Preparation of repeat formats to a consistent length.
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Holding textiles, leather or foams before sewing

Textile components or interior trims may need to be held before sewing, stitching, stapling or final assembly. The adhesive must hold the part without interfering with the next operation.

This requirement concerns interior trims, linings, comfort foams, acoustic foams, leather, technical textiles and flexible coverings used in automotive panels or trims.

Holding automotive textiles, leather or foams before sewing
Risk to avoid Textile movement, folds before sewing, poor alignment, inconvenient liquid adhesive, excessive thickness or insufficient hold on a flexible substrate.
Examples of use
  • Hold two textile pieces before sewing
  • Position a comfort foam in an interior panel
  • Prepare a leather part before stitching
  • Stabilise a covering before permanent bonding
  • Hold a lining or acoustic foam
  • Prevent a textile insert from moving during handling

Suitable DERFI products

L1541R L1541R Double face repositionnable pour positionnement temporaire ajustable. K1144 K1144 Non-woven tape for light assemblies and flexible substrates. E6641 E6641 White PP double-sided tape for economical, versatile assembly. N6643N N6643N Black PE foam for irregular substrates or where thickness is required. L0201 L0201 Silicone polyester tape for technical leather joints or specific surfaces.

Suitable DERFI machines

DSH DSH Consistent application of double-sided tapes with liner. ZCM1000 / ZCM2000 ZCM1000 / ZCM2000 Cutting repeat strips for textile or trim workstations. RT7700 RT7700 Fast dispensing of adhesive strips at the workstation.
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Pre-positioning protective coverings or films before an operation

Some protection must be applied temporarily before sanding, painting, handling or inspection. The aim is to hold the protection only for as long as necessary, then remove it cleanly.

This application protects a sensitive surface, painted part, glazing, panel or previously approved area during internal transport, preparation or nearby work.

Pre-positioning protective coverings or films before an automotive operation
Risk to avoid Scratches, overspray, poorly held film, protection moving during handling, residue on removal or an exposed sensitive surface.
Examples of use
  • Hold a film on a part during internal transport
  • Apply temporary protection to a sensitive surface
  • Keep an area masked before quality control
  • Attach surface protection before assembly
  • Hold a cover or film before transfer to a neighbouring workshop
  • Stabilise protection on glazing or a painted panel

Suitable DERFI products

G0107B G0107B Blue PE film for smooth surfaces and painted parts. G0104T G0104T Transparent PE film for glazing and flat surfaces. F0501C F0501C Crepe paper tape for temporary holding and protection. RM2091 RM2091 Masking tape for temporary protection with clean removal. L1541R L1541R Double face repositionnable lorsque la protection doit rester ajustable.

Suitable DERFI machines

TDA080-NM / TDA150-NM TDA080-NM / TDA150-NM Dispensing protective films at the workstation. RT120W RT120W Dispensing wide tapes or wide films. ZCM1000 / ZCM2000 ZCM1000 / ZCM2000 Repeat holding formats for temporary protection. RT7700 RT7700 Fast strip dispensing at preparation stations.
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Securing production templates, markers and spacers

Assembly workstations often use temporary jigs, markers, spacers or guides to control part positioning. Adhesive can hold these elements without mechanical fixing.

This temporary holding facilitates inspection, drilling, assembly, fitting decorative elements or dimensional validation while keeping the workstation well organised.

Securing automotive production templates, markers and spacers
Risk to avoid Moved jig, poorly positioned marker, unstable spacer, drilling error, inaccurate inspection or unnecessary mechanical fixing at the workstation.
Examples of use
  • Temporarily secure a drilling template
  • Hold a positioning spacer on a plastic substrate
  • Attach a visual marker to a part
  • Hold a guide before fitting a decorative element
  • Position a cutting or assembly template
  • Immobilise a support during an inspection operation

Suitable DERFI products

L1541R L1541R Repositionnement, ajustement et retrait propre. E6641 E6641 White PP double-sided tape for economical temporary fixing. K1144 K1144 Thin fixing of markers or lightweight supports. DT001 DT001 Thin bonding when the marker must remain flat. N6643N N6643N Black PE foam for spacers or supports requiring thickness.

Suitable DERFI machines

ZCM1000 / ZCM2000 ZCM1000 / ZCM2000 Preparation of repeat strips for markers and spacers. RT7700 RT7700 Fast tape dispensing at the production workstation. DSH DSH Application of double-sided tapes with liner recovery. DSH-TR DSH-TR Application of transfer tapes for flat markers.
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Use case overview

Temporary assembly covers all operations where adhesive is used to hold, align or pre-position a part before the final operation. It is particularly useful for trims, textiles, foams, protection, jigs, markers, spacers and automotive inspection or preparation operations.

Key points for consumables

  • L1541R is suitable for adjustable positioning and clean temporary fastening.
  • K1144 is suitable for light, thin, clean assemblies.
  • E6641 meets the need for economical, versatile double-sided tape.
  • N6643N is suitable for temporary holding with thick foam and gap compensation.
  • DT001 provides thin, clean, close-fitting bonding.
  • F0501C and RM2091 are suitable for temporarily securing protective coverings.
  • L0201 can be used for certain technical joins, particularly on leather or specific surfaces.

Key points for workstation organisation

  • DSH applies double-sided tapes with liners cleanly and consistently.
  • DSH-TR is suitable for transfer tapes requiring controlled application.
  • SAT20-LA / SAT20-HA allows adhesive to be pre-applied to parts without immediate liner removal.
  • ZCM1000 / ZCM2000 prepares repeated formats for series of parts.
  • RT7700 speeds up tape dispensing in the workshop, at textile, assembly or inspection workstations.
  • TDA080-NM / TDA150-NM and RT120W are useful for protective films or wide tapes.