A plurality of adhesive dots are dispensed, and a characteristic for each of the plurality of adhesive dots is measured. An average and statistical dispersion for the measured characteristics of the plurality of adhesive dots are determined. The average in then compared to a function of a reference characteristic value and the statistical dispersion. A change to be made to a physical parameter of a subsequent adhesive dot is determined based at least in part on the comparison, and the subsequent adhesive dot is dispensed onto a subsequent disk drive suspension based at least in part on the change.