ORLANDO, FLA. (April 5, 6 p.m. ET) — Branson Ultrasonics Corp. (Booth 2151) is adding more expertise in ultrasonic technologies and pursuing the global aspect of its business, said Frederic Lambert, president. The exhibit theme is “global technologies, local solutions.”
“We can reach out to any customer in the world,” said Lambert, who joined Branson on Dec. 3. He relocated from Asia after a six-year assignment with another unit of parent firm Emerson Electric Co.
Danbury, Conn.-based Branson sees consumer electronic and medical applications as principal drivers for ultrasonic equipment. Ultrasonics work accounts for about one half of its business.
Lambert envisions Branson developing new ultrasonic applications and business segments. Branson has added to its ultrasonic-oriented engineering talent in North America, Europe and Asia.
In addition to ultrasonic work, Branson focuses on vibration welding, spin welding, laser and hot plate applications.
“We see the laser market growing” particularly in automotive, medical and fluid dispensing markets in Japan and the United States, Lambert said. The laser trend is beginning to gain strength in Europe.
In its NPE2012 exhibit, Branson displayed a high-frequency ultrasonic welding solution that was developed in collaboration with EMD Millipore Corp., the life science division of Merck KGaA beginning in 2008. After extensive development, a customer of EMD Millipore released a proprietary product to the point-of-care test market in December 2009 in response to the outbreak of influenza A virus subtype HIN1, said Tom Hoover, Branson market segment manager for business and consumer electronics and medical.
Branson introduced an enhanced clean vibration technology enabling design and production of virtually particulate-free parts with aesthetically clean weld lines. The technology adds infrared preheating and raises the standards for plastic weld joints. A challenge from a major automotive customer prompted a Branson office in Dietzenbach, Germany, toward improvement of the CVT process, which is available in two vibration welder models, said Craig Birrittella, Branson non-ultrasonic product manager.
In addition, Branson launched its first global series of ultrasonic welding digital power supplies for automated assembly systems initially targeting automation and original-equipment-manufacturing users. After rigorous tests, 50 of the DCX power supplies were placed during 2011’s second quarter at strategic beta site laboratory and production locations. Branson is offering the new line to customers now, said Bill Heatherwick, Branson director of global product management.
Branson displayed a breakthrough reservoir cap that was developed for Wellness Water plastic bottles from Karma Culture LLC of Pittsford, N.Y. Karma uses a Branson SW300 precision servo-driven spin welding system produces an airtight seal to preserve freshness of the nutrient-enhanced water. Wellness Water appeared on the shelves of Rochester, N.Y.-based Wegmans Food Markets Inc. in late 2011, said Eric Kuzniar, Branson technology manager for spin welding.
Branson is one of six divisions within the industrial automation business platform of publicly traded St. Louis-based Emerson.
