Plastics joining: Welding unit combines three processes in a single machine

bielomatik says the new system can accommodate its gas convection, infrared and hot plate welding technologies. Gas welding and infrared (IR) welding are viable alternatives to standard electrical-heated platen welding, and can reduce cost and machine maintenance time due to their non-contact form of welding. Gas welding uses natural gas as a source of heat convection to rapidly heat a weld joint, whereas hot plate welding depends on heat conduction, which is slower.

Gas convection welding is often the right choice when working with low-viscosity plastics that adhere to a heating surface during the welding cycle, as well as high temperature-resistant materials.  It also provides quicker heat-up and is less susceptible to environmental surroundings than other joining processes.

For its IR process, the company’s machines utilize both mid-wave and short wave infrared emitters. These work well for welding materials that have a high-temperature resistance. IR welding, like gas welding, is a non-contact process that avoids materials adhering to the heat platen during the melting cycle, but is not as quick as the gas convection welding method. Hot plate welding has been one of the company’s fortes for more than 50 years.
 

The new machines are available in a variety of sizes, and can be equipped with pneumatic, hydraulic or electrically driven power systems.  The company also offers units equipped for vibration welding, laser welding, ultrasonic welding, thermal contact welding, spin welding and RF welding.