Parts made from metals like steel and aluminum can be welded by applying enough heat that they melt and join permanently together. Many types of plastics are even easier to weld and form joints that are as strong and resilient as the surrounding material.
Manufacturers tend to appreciate the versatility and accessibility of plastic welding, but there are often easy ways to improve upon the status quo. The three tracks that follow can turn almost any plastic welding process into a more efficient, cost-effective one.
Compared to most metals, thermoplastics are amenable to welding by a surprisingly large number of techniques. Being sure to use the approach most appropriate to a particular product or operation will ensure the best possible results. Some of the most popular plastic welding techniques use heat sources like the following:
- Hot air.
- The
- tools found here
- and many other best-sellers enable the welding of thermoplastics using hot air. This especially flexible welding technique is a perennially popular one for many good reasons. Inexpensive and approachable, hot air welding nonetheless tends to produce very strong joints in many plastics.
- Radiofrequency energy (RF).
- RF welding tools can reach places that would block other implements out. Using RF welding techniques can allow the permanent joining of especially intricate, complex parts. Although it can be slower than certain alternatives, RF often excels where especially
- precious, expensive thermoplastics
- are being employed.
- Lasers.
- Lasers are capable of focusing large amounts of energy onto carefully defined targets. That makes lasers perfect for