Savings potential for the automotive industry
Welding two plastic or metal parts securely and well together is a well-known method which can be done using conventional techniques such as longitudinal ultrasonic welding or adhesive methods, producing reliable results. Where the limits of these joining techniques really are, however, was proven in 2006 by the Swiss company, Telsonic AG, when it developed a torsional ultrasonic welding technique: SONIQTWIST®.
SONIQTWIST® has quickly established itself as a suitable joining technique for various different plastics and metals with excellent results. The torsional energy input at the joining zone is gentle and is also suitable for highly sensitive parts. However, large forces can also be exerted onto the joining zone within a short space of time, something which is important for aluminium or copper piping, for example. Even painted plastic parts can be joined securely without leaving any visible imprints.
How does this revolutionary process, which automobile manufacturers and suppliers, as well as those in the medical technology industry, cannot get enough of, actually work?
Suitable technique for many different jobs
The torsional technique is also suitable for joining plastics and metals such as copper or aluminium. However, this technique also appears to produce the best results for flanging, riveting, separating or fine recasting processes, as well as when calibrating the dimensions and shape for functional surfaces.
The minimal amount of load applied to the parts being welded together also protects sensitive electronic components. The rate of vibration in the lower section of the joining part is approximately just one tenth when compared to conventional ultrasonic welding techniques.
What is more, the membrane remains unaffected so allowing filter membranes and other thin parts, such as films, to be welded. Ridge formation or a thinning of the material is hardly visible on films, which makes this technique especially interesting for use in medical technology.
Moreover, the technique is not hindered by interference media in the weld seam. Water, grease, silicon, oil and other materials are incapable of adversely affecting the result. Consequently, the technique produces reliable results when tightly welding oil dampers for furniture parts without causing the fluid to escape.