Summary of Bosch glue pen teardown
The Bosch GluePen is a wireless, fast-warming hot glue gun using 7mm sticks. It charges via micro USB, heats in 15 seconds, and offers 30 minutes of runtime with a low-battery warning at one-third charge. Unlike traditional models requiring minutes to warm up, this device provides immediate usability with stable temperature control around 170°C without active electronic regulation.
Parts used in the Bosch GluePen:
- 7 mm glue sticks
- Micro USB charging port
- ATTINY24A microcontroller
- '3303' charger circuit
- NTC temperature monitor
- Fuse
- IRF3711Z 6mΩ 20V HEXFET
- Heating element
- Step up converter
- 0.22 Ω resistor
Intro
My cheap plug in hot glue gun died and looking for a replacement I found this: the Bosch GluePen
What does it do? it’s a hot glue gun for 7 mm glue sticks that warms up in 15 seconds. Charges via micro USB.
Much better than my old one that needed ~5 minutes to warm up for probably half a minute of gluing. I am very happy because of the fast warm up, wireless operation and small size. Battery should last 30 minutes and you get the low warning when there is 1/3 left, which I find enough.
You can grab one from Amazon.de or Amazon.fr or Amazon.uk or Amazon.it paying the same low price and helping support my website.
What’s inside?
Two screws later
The whole “mechanism” detaches from the sides
Let’s look in more detail on the PCB
The whole thing is controlled by an ATTINY24A microcontroller.
On the left side next to the micro USB there is a charger circuit labeled ‘3303’. On the top of the micro there appears to be a NTC used to monitor the temperature during charging. The holes are probably there in case a through hole termistor is used.
On the right side we can see the fuse and a IRF3711Z 6mΩ 20V HEXFET driving the heating element. At the glue melting end there is no temperature sensor, they are probably relying on the positive thermal coefficient of the heating element to achieve a rather stable temperature, as the manual quotes “approximately 170 °C”. Also there is a step up converter – used to generate ~12 V to drive the gate of the tranzistor, to keep it in the low ohmic region.
There does not appear to be any form of electronic temperature regulation – even after 3 minutes since I turned it ON the device maintains 12 V constantly at the gate of the tranzistor, no PWM or anything.
The wire going to the heating element is also connected to the micro, possibly to measure something, but what? Also the current through the battery while charging seems monitored by the micro as well, through the 0.22 Ω resistor next to the blue wire.
Read more: Bosch glue pen teardown
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How long does it take for the Bosch GluePen to warm up?
The device warms up in 15 seconds. -
What type of glue sticks does the Bosch GluePen use?
It uses 7 mm glue sticks. -
Can I charge the Bosch GluePen wirelessly?
No, it charges via a micro USB port but operates wirelessly during use. -
How long does the battery last on a full charge?
The battery should last approximately 30 minutes. -
Does the Bosch GluePen have an electronic temperature regulation system?
No, there is no form of electronic temperature regulation like PWM. -
At what battery level does the low warning activate?
The low warning activates when there is one-third of the battery left. -
What is the approximate operating temperature of the glue?
The manual quotes an approximate temperature of 170 °C. -
Which microcontroller controls the entire mechanism?
The whole thing is controlled by an ATTINY24A microcontroller.
