JOINING AND ASSEMBLY | INNOVATION
sion of the plastic is decisive for the quality of the joint between two components, so a check of the material properties before welding can benefit the overall quality assurance process. The LPKF TMG 3 can measure the transmission properties of any type of plastic material prior to laser transmission welding. It takes only a few seconds to find out whether the actual transmission values of the two joining partners match the target values from the process definition. Any material non-conformities from upstream processes – compounding or injection moulding – can be detected before an unsuitable component reaches the production process. This is important because fluctuating transmittance values can result in suboptimal weld seams. The measuring device can easily be integrated
into a production line for in-line transmission testing. In this configuration, the device provides a reliable process and ensures that the weld seams and the end products meet the highest standards. The LPKF TMG 3 transmission measuring device is a certified, traceably calibrated measuring instru- ment. The measurement filters for the calibration were tested and certified by Fraunhofer ISC. Cemas Elettra has developed the MF120, the smallest stand-alone machine of its simultaneous multi-fibre laser welding machine range. The machine is used to produce small components, as well as laboratory test parts, which allows the integration of electronic components in the joining process through the precision and cleanliness of laser technology. To satisfy the most stringent and complex requirements, the Cemas laser system has been designed with a fully modular architecture. The different Cemas laser machine models – MF120, MF240, MF480 and MF960 – are designed for welding small, medium or large compo- nents. The company also offers a range of vibration welding machines with hybrid technology – infrared and vibration. The machines can weld simple and small compo- nents to the most complex and large, offering good joints in terms of aesthetics and strength. Emerson has introduced new
heat staking technology designed to give manufacturers greater design freedom by enabling them to join more complex, delicate and sensitive components to plastic mouldings. Using pulse staking technology that optimises the heat staking process, the company says that the Branson GPX platform produces high-quality joins, good product aesthetics and
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energy savings in increasingly challeng- ing applications. Electronics, automotive and medical device manufacturers must produce more creative designs to meet rapidly changing market demand. This has led to an increase in challenging heat staking applications involving parts with more complex 3D geometries, closely aligned features and fragile or heat- sensitive components, such as soldered components or sensors, and using a greater number of blended, glass-rein- forced, chromed and metalised plastics. Emerson adds that the Branson GPX
platform uses PulseStaker technology to provide instantaneous heating and cooling, with adjustable cycle times for optimised, low energy heat staking. The process creates no particulates or burn marks, and enables more delicate and sensitive parts, such as those with embedded electronics, to be joined with consistently high-performance finishes. The technology is suitable for all heat staking
applications, including those with thermoplastic materials and metalised coated parts. A wide range of heat staking tip designs, which can be adapted to meet any stake welding requirement, and the ability to stake multiple points simultaneously provide manufacturers with greater design freedom. “The automotive, electronics and medical industries require more complex, delicate and sensitive components to be joined to plastic mould- ings,” says Priyank Kishor, Global Product Man- ager for Branson products at Emer- son’s Automation Solutions business. “The unique heat staking process
that the Branson GPX
platform provides helps to meet this demand
and offers manufacturers a broad range of benefits, such as superior
product aesthetics and reduced energy use.” Emerson has also developed a new laser welder
platform that provides low volume, high mix manufacturers of plastic components with greater production capability, without compromising product quality or performance. The company says that the Branson GL-300 is a highly flexible quasi-
May 2021 | INJECTION WORLD 41
Above: The LPKF InlineWeld 6200 welding system is designed for integration into 24/7 production lines
Left: The LPKF dual clamping device is easy to install. The design with the fine but robust retaining bars can remain in place for
thousands of application cycles, says the company
IMAGE: LPKF
IMAGE: LPKF
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