The following news items were gathered by Plastics News staff reporter Steve Toloken at NPE 1997, held June 16-20 in Chicago.
Branson features three new welders
Branson Ultrasonics Corp. introduced a new hot-plate welder, the HH-15, for joining thermoplastic parts as large as 12 inches by 15 inches. The welder has a small footprint, horizontal platen, safety door and automatic start cycle.
The Danbury, Conn., company also introduced two new linear vibration welders: the VW-4L and VW-8UH. Both use electromechanical vibrators and digital drive controllers.
Tel. (203) 796-0400, fax (203) 796-9838.
Dukane addresses various applications
Dukane Ultrasonics, a unit of the St. Charles, Ill.-based Dukane Corp., offered the Millenium 4100, the first 40-kilohertz ultrasonic system with 1,000 watts of power. The equipment lets users weld larger parts — including ones for medical and electronic applications — while maintaining a ``gentle touch,'' said Fred McGowen, marketing director.
The company also introduced an ultrasonic scan welder for fast assembly of rigid plastic parts, particularly those too large to be assembled with an ultrasonic press.
The scan welder can accommodate 20- to 40-kHz thruster units. Typical scan-weld applications include the assembly of jewel cases for compact discs, building shutters and toys.
Tel. (630) 584-2300, fax (630) 584-3162.
Model offers quicker problem diagnosis
Forward Technology Industries Inc. introduced its LVW-2046, designed for welding large parts and selling for about $95,000 in its standard model, according to Paul Burlingame, product manager for the Minneapolis-based company.
The LVW-2046 uses linear vibration, and includes a feedback system that compares the results of what it did with what it was programmed to do, allowing for quicker diagnosis of problems, Burlingame said.
The equipment also has autofrequency tuning and eight weld steps to control time, pressure, melt travel and amplitude.
Tel. (612) 559-1785, fax (612) 559-3929.
Sonics & Materials upgrades EH-5000
Danbury, Conn.-based Sonics & Materials Inc. unveiled enhancements to its EH-5000 linear vibration welder, featuring what the company said is the most powerful drive mechanism in its class.
The welder is designed for large parts or multiple small parts with a multiple-head configuration.
The company also introduced a new F Series welder with automatic frequency tuning and programmable logic controller amplitude control, in 15-, 20- and 40-kilohertz models, with power outputs of 700-4,000 watts.
Two new spin welders, targeted at joining spherical or cylindrical parts, also were released.
Tel. (203) 744-4400, fax (203) 798-8350.
Sonobond displays Rotary SureWeld 35
Sonobond Ultrasonics of West Chester, Pa., introduced its Rotary SureWeld 35 ultrasonic welding system, which uses a 35-kilohertz ultrasonic welding press and a computerized power supply.
The company said the model is smaller and quieter than many 20-kHz systems, and has a computerized power supply.
Tel. (608) 696-4710, fax (608) 692-0674.