Infra red process, infra red welding machines

Infrared energy can be used to join components by plasticizing (softening to the point of melting) the surface of the thermoplastic product(s) before joining the parts together. Infra Red is replacing hot plate in many welding applications. In some industries, especially cartridge filter manufacture, it is being substituted for adhesive bonding because of the costs of the adhesive material, its application and its curing.

When welding, both parts are plasticized before being pressed together and cooled. Only one part is plasticized for bonding, often to a dissimilar material.

Cost effective process
The Infrared emitters or lamps provide a clean, controllable energy source. The lamps are not required to contact nor even to be in close proximity to the part being plasticized.

• No burnt-on deposits which are so irksome and costly to remove in a comparable hot plate welding process.

The energy source is instantly responsive and selectively variable.

• Power is turned down to a minimum for the joining, cooling and load / unload stages of the process. In hot plate welding, the plate has to be maintained at operating temperature throughout, wasting about 60% of its energy.
  
• Energy input is optimised during the plasticizing phase, high initially then reduced as the energy penetrates deeper. This provides cost savings and improved control of the finished product.

CPR Automation manufactures a range of CleanWeld standard Infrared Welding machines suitable for many applications. If a standard machine doesn't meet your requirements, we also design and manufacture special machines.

Contact CPR Automation for more information.