| Ultrasonic Welding is another type of Welding. Learn | | | | machines are able to even do semi crystalline types |
| Welding and about Ultrasonic Welding. | | | | of plastics. There is research and testing going on to |
| Ultrasonic Welding is a process where the high | | | | see how this process works because not everyone |
| frequency vibrations of an ultrasound are applied to a | | | | has understood the power of this process. They are |
| piece that is to be welded. The pieces are put under | | | | studying areas like how the process parameters of |
| pressure and held together until they create what is | | | | something to be welded with relate to the quality of |
| know as a solid state weld. Usually there needs to be | | | | the weld. |
| a frequency between 20 and 40kHz in order for this | | | | |
| to work. This type of welding is used for plastics | | | | The process has needed to be studied because |
| and for joining two different materials. | | | | there has been more of a demand for different |
| | | | | types of plastics and for electronic pieces which are |
| By using an ultrasonic vibration there is no need for | | | | best made by this process. In many respects it is still |
| bolts, nails, soldering or adhesives to keep the | | | | a developing field. |
| materials together. By using these vibrations on | | | | |
| thermoplastics melting occurs on the plastic as it pulls | | | | Ultrasonic welding is made up of several components. |
| in the energy of the vibration, which is pulled across | | | | Some of these components are: |
| the joint that needs to be welded. On metals, | | | | |
| ultrasonic welding happens when the material is taken | | | | · It needs a press that can hold two |
| through friction welding. | | | | different parts that will be put under pressure. |
| | | | | · An anvil to put the parts in place to |
| The vibrations from the ultrasonic welding machine | | | | take on the elevated frequency vibration that is |
| are produced by a welding sonotrode (horn) and | | | | needed to hit the pieces. |
| they soften the thermoplastic material along the line | | | | · Something called an ultrasonic stack |
| of the joint. The equipment that is used will | | | | that has a converter that holds the horn that needs |
| determine how strong the weld is and this will | | | | to be tuned to the specific frequency. |
| depend on how the equipment is designed, the | | | | · An electronic ultrasonic generator that |
| materials to be welded and their properties and how | | | | can deliver a higher power AC signal that can match |
| the joint is designed. | | | | the frequency that matches the resonance of the |
| | | | | stack. |
| The time it takes ultrasonic welding to happen is very | | | | · A controller that can control the |
| short and for mass production this type of welding | | | | movement that the press will make and how it |
| works very effectively. This type of welding will be | | | | delivers the ultrasonic energy. |
| used in the automotive industry for light clusters of | | | | |
| things that need done and in producing electronic | | | | Ultrasonic welding can be found in many different |
| products like the casings in mobile phones. | | | | areas beyond electronics and the automotive |
| | | | | industry. This process is also used in the electrical |
| Ultrasonic welding is used to weld both hard plastics | | | | area, with computers, with aerospace and with the |
| and soft plastics and some metals. Today the | | | | packing and medical industries. |