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Plastic Joining Processes

Enoch McDowell

Gary Evans

December 1, 2000

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Introduction

Introduce different plastic joining techniques

Provide links to suppliers Provide links to online materials at

the BYU Library Call numbers of handbooks

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Types of Plastic Joining

Hot Plate Lazar IRAM Ultrasonic Assembly Linear Vibration Orbital Vibration Spin Welding

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Hot Plate Welding

Hot plate welding utilizes a temperature controlled heat platen assembly which is introduced between the two parts to be assembled. All item are brought together, and the melting cycle is started. The parts are melted for a pre-set time to displace enough plastic for surface preparation and to properly heat the subsurface of the joint area. The parts are then separated, and the heat platen is withdrawn. Both halves of the holding fixtures are brought together against stops for the proper amount of seal time and seal depth.

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Lazar IRAM

Laser IRAM is based on the idea of passing light/laser radiation through one plastic component and designing

the second component to absorb the laser light. This absorption results in heating and melting of the interface and with the application of a controlled clamp force, the parts are joined. The major breakthrough of IRAM technology is the ability to heat the entire welding surface simultaneously as compared to heating a single spot and moving the IR spot across the welding zone.

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Ultrasonic Assembly

Ultrasonic assembly utilizes an acoustic tool called a horn to transfer vibratory energy through the part to the joint area, where it is converted to heat through friction that melts the plastic. Ultrasonics can be used to join not only rigid thermoplastics, but fabrics and films as well. If your interested

in the textile marketplace, you may want to check out the site of the Industrial Fabrics Association (IFAI), which represents the international industrial and technical fabrics and textile marketplace.

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Linear Vibration

Linear vibration welding employs frictional heat at the joint

interface of two mated parts. The heat is generated by moving one part against the other under pressure through a linear displacement in the plane of the joint or amplitude. When a molten state is reached at the joint interface, vibration is stopped. Clamping pressure is maintained briefly while the molten plastic solidifies to form a bond.

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Orbital Vibration

Orbital vibration welding is a frictional process that uses an electromagnetic drive to create relative motion between two thermoplastic parts. This constant velocity motion generates heat, which raises the material temperature at the joint to its melting point. The motion is stopped after sufficient material is melted. The plastic then solidifies and forms a permanent bond.

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Spin Welding

Spin welding is a process that joins circular thermoplastic parts by bringing the part interfaces together, under pressure, with a circular, spinning motion. One part is held stationary in a fixture, while the other is rotated against it under pressure. The frictional heat that is generated causes the part interfaces to melt and fuse together, creating a strong, hermetic seal.

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Web Sites Found

www.branson-plasticsjoin.com www.columbineint.com www.ultrasonicsforless.com www.modernplasticwelding.com.au www.specializedassembly.com www.plasticwelders.com

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www.branson-plasticsjoin.com

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www.columbineint.com

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www.ultrasonicsforless.com

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www.modernplasticwelding.com.au

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www.specializedassembly.com

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www.plasticwelders.com

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Links to online materials at the BYU library Journal of Applied Polymer Science www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgibin/jtoc?ID=30035

Journal of Polymer Science Part A: Polymer Chemistry

www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/jtoc?ID=36444

Journal of Polymer Science Part B: Polymer Physics

www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/jtoc?ID=36698

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Journal of Applied Polymer Science

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Journal of Polymer Science Part A: Polymer Chemistry

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Journal of Polymer Science Part B: Polymer Physics

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Handbooks

Welding Handbook

TS 227.w387 Concise Encyclopedia of Polymer

Science and Engineering

TP 1087.c66

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Conclusion

There are numerous ways to join plastics

This presentation has links to suppliers web pages

Links to Journals are provided Handbook reference numbers are

provided