What is Sonic Welding?
To create the finished product, plastic injection mouldings frequently need to be machined or put together with other parts. There are a number of ways to join plastic, but sonic weld offers a rapid, clean, and effective way to join plastic pieces with a solid and long-lasting bond.
Friction welding can be done using a variety of techniques, including ultrasonic, vibration, and spin welding. All of these techniques operate according to the same basic tenet: friction generates heat, which melts the plastic at the connection.
The most common method of welding employs ultrasonic energy to produce heat and a weld by causing surface and intermolecular friction. The majority of thermoplastics are acceptable for ultrasonic welding. Semi-crystalline polymers, on the other hand, are usually more
challenging to ultrasonically weld than amorphous polymers, which are normally the best choice.
The capacity of a thermoplastic to transfer high frequency vibration determines its applicability for ultrasonic welding. Therefore, stiff materials are preferable than flexible ones. Melting behaviour is crucial as well. The ideal materials are those that melt over a wide temperature range and solidify gradually.
The weld quality that can be anticipated when attaching a certain thermoplastic to itself under ideal circumstances is shown in the table. Any other type of weld, known as a far-field weld, occurs when the joint interface is more than 6mm away from the welding horn tip contact point. Due to energy losses within the material, far-field welding is substantially less effective.
Application of Sonic weld in Various Fields
Numerous industries, including electrical and computer, automotive and aerospace, medical, and packaging, use ultrasonic welding in a variety of ways. The thickness of two objects determines whether they can be ultrasonically welded together. This method won't unite them if they are too thick. The biggest challenge with metal welding is this. However, ultrasonic welding is frequently used to attach wires, microcircuit
connections, sheet metal, foils, ribbons, and meshes. Thermoplastics can be joined using the extremely common process of ultrasonic welding. With weld times frequently under one second and no ventilation system needed to remove heat or exhaust, it is quick and simple to automate.
This kind of welding is frequently employed to create assemblies that are too small, intricate, or fragile for welding methods that are more widely used.
Process of Sonic Welding
A piezoelectric transducer receives high frequency current at first. This transducer transforms electrical signals of high frequency into mechanical vibration.
This additional vibration was given to the booster, which increased its frequency.
The welding plate is in touch with the horn, which receives the high frequency vibration that has been amplified.
Lap joints are made using this welding. One weld plant is attached to the fixture, and the other is in direct contact with the horn. Under a light pressure force, these plates are fastened.
The welding plate receives high frequency mechanical vibration from the horn.
This vibration causes oscillation shear forces to act at the interface between welding plates, causing that area to deform electroplastically.
Due to friction and mechanical force, it also causes a localised temperature increase. Without melting the work piece or utilising filler metal, this heat assists in plastic deformation at the interface and creates a robust junction.
ABOUT US
The injection moulding business ( Rutland Plastics ) is committed to offering top-notch services and has over 65 years of experience in the industry. The business specialises in injection moulding and provides a variety of other services, including sonic welding, electrofusion, the creation of custom moulds and tools, the creation of plastic designs, and much more. We have exceptional technical knowledge and can work with you to provide exactly what you need.
Please don't hesitate to contact us at enquiries@rutlandplastics.co.uk or by phone at +44 1572 723476 if you have any questions about our services or would like to schedule a consultation with one of our specialists.