A method of controlling and operating a fluid dispensing apparatus is provided which modifies a tool speed signal from a robot and generates a corrected signal to a dispenser nozzle flow controller to compensate for non-linear flow characteristics of fluids, such as non-Newtonian adhesive fluids, to maintain uniform bead size as the tool speed varies. The corrected tool speed signal is generated by computing the ideal flow for the tool speed, comparing the computed flow with actual flow data stored in memory using linear interpolation of data between the stored values, and generating a control signal modified in accordance with the comparison. The stored data is acquired by operation of the apparatus in a calibration mode wherein a series of standard signals is sent to the fluid controller while the actual flow at each signal level is measured and stored in a table. The method corrects for non-linear flow phenomena such as that known as the shear-thinning effect that is flow rate dependent.