GB2278571A - Joining members using heat from a light source - Google Patents

Joining members using heat from a light source Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2278571A
GB2278571A GB9311032A GB9311032A GB2278571A GB 2278571 A GB2278571 A GB 2278571A GB 9311032 A GB9311032 A GB 9311032A GB 9311032 A GB9311032 A GB 9311032A GB 2278571 A GB2278571 A GB 2278571A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
members
light source
thermo
theretogether
melt
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB9311032A
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GB9311032D0 (en
Inventor
Martin Kenneth Emile Askham
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
F E Ltd
Original Assignee
F E Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by F E Ltd filed Critical F E Ltd
Priority to GB9311032A priority Critical patent/GB2278571A/en
Publication of GB9311032D0 publication Critical patent/GB9311032D0/en
Publication of GB2278571A publication Critical patent/GB2278571A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/56—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor using mechanical means or mechanical connections, e.g. form-fits
    • B29C65/60—Riveting or staking
    • B29C65/601—Riveting or staking using extra riveting elements, i.e. the rivets being non-integral with the parts to be joined
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
    • B29C65/1429—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation characterised by the way of heating the interface
    • B29C65/1432—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation characterised by the way of heating the interface direct heating of the surfaces to be joined
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/48—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor using adhesives, i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding
    • B29C65/4805—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor using adhesives, i.e. using supplementary joining material; solvent bonding characterised by the type of adhesives
    • B29C65/481—Non-reactive adhesives, e.g. physically hardening adhesives
    • B29C65/4815—Hot melt adhesives, e.g. thermoplastic adhesives
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/56—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor using mechanical means or mechanical connections, e.g. form-fits
    • B29C65/60—Riveting or staking
    • B29C65/601—Riveting or staking using extra riveting elements, i.e. the rivets being non-integral with the parts to be joined
    • B29C65/603—Riveting or staking using extra riveting elements, i.e. the rivets being non-integral with the parts to be joined the rivets being pushed in blind holes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/11—Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/112—Single lapped joints
    • B29C66/1122—Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/11—Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/114—Single butt joints
    • B29C66/1142—Single butt to butt joints
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/20—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines
    • B29C66/21—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines said joint lines being formed by a single dot or dash or by several dots or dashes, i.e. spot joining or spot welding
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/41—Joining substantially flat articles ; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles
    • B29C66/43—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/814—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8141—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/81411—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined characterised by its cross-section, e.g. transversal or longitudinal, being non-flat
    • B29C66/81421—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined characterised by its cross-section, e.g. transversal or longitudinal, being non-flat being convex or concave
    • B29C66/81423—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined characterised by its cross-section, e.g. transversal or longitudinal, being non-flat being convex or concave being concave
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/832—Reciprocating joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/8322—Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/91—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/914—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/9141—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature
    • B29C66/91421—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature of the joining tools
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/91—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/914—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/9161—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the heat or the thermal flux, i.e. the heat flux
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C35/00—Heating, cooling or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanising; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C35/02—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould
    • B29C35/08—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation
    • B29C35/0805—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation using electromagnetic radiation
    • B29C2035/0822—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation using electromagnetic radiation using IR radiation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C35/00—Heating, cooling or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanising; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C35/02—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould
    • B29C35/08—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation
    • B29C35/0805—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation using electromagnetic radiation
    • B29C2035/0838—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation using electromagnetic radiation using laser
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/08—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using ultrasonic vibrations
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
    • B29C65/1403—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation characterised by the type of electromagnetic or particle radiation
    • B29C65/1412—Infrared [IR] radiation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
    • B29C65/16—Laser beams
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
    • B29C65/16—Laser beams
    • B29C65/1603—Laser beams characterised by the type of electromagnetic radiation
    • B29C65/1612—Infrared [IR] radiation, e.g. by infrared lasers
    • B29C65/1616—Near infrared radiation [NIR], e.g. by YAG lasers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
    • B29C65/16—Laser beams
    • B29C65/1603—Laser beams characterised by the type of electromagnetic radiation
    • B29C65/1612—Infrared [IR] radiation, e.g. by infrared lasers
    • B29C65/1619—Mid infrared radiation [MIR], e.g. by CO or CO2 lasers

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

Two or more members are joined by heating a thermally meltable material on at least one member using a light source such as a tungsten halogen lamp, a xenon arc lamp or a laser and bringing the members together. One member may be a stake 5 which may be heated by lamp 6 and passed through apertures 3, 4 in members to be joined 1, 2 by an urging means 9. The urging means may always overlie the stake or be moved into position after the stake is heated (Figure 2). Alternatively a projection 5 may be formed on one member 1 and passed through an aperture 4 in the other member 2 before being similarly heated and the head 5a shaped. In a third embodiment the members are joined by simple welding using heat from a light source (Figures 4a, 4b). The light source may be provided with a collimator and lens, preferably of zirconium selenide in order to direct the heat more accurately and a filter may be provided allowing only infra-red radiation to pass. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO THE JOINING OF MEMBERS The invention relates to a method and apparatus for use in joining theretogether at least two members, wherein one member comprises at least a thermo-melt element.
The joining together of any number of members during the assembly of a multiplicity of items typically involves the bringing theretogether of two members and the sealing theretogether of such members by methods including staking, swaging and seam welding. Increasingly, these methods are facilitated by the provision of a thermo-melt material which can be firstly heated prior to staking1 swaging or seam welding. For example, it is known to carry out a staking method by aligning members to be joined together, which members are provided with apertures or recesses which are aligned during the joining process and then a thermo-melt projection is firstly heated prior to being forced into said aligned recesses. Thus, the completion of this operation results in the fixed joining together of two members. The melting of the thermo-melt material during the operation not only facilitates the insertion of the material into said apertures but also seals said material in said apertures when the material cools. Typically, thermoplastics are used as thermo-melt materials.
Conventionally, thermo-melt materials are made to melt by using either ultrasonic waves, vibration welding or hot gas. Ultrasonic means and vibration welding involves the provision of costly apparatus and, undesirably, can be difficult to focus. Similarly, the provision of hot gas, by way of the passage of air through a heated manifold, also provides a heat source which is difficult to focus and which can thus result in the melting not only of the desired region but also adjacent thermoplastics material.
It can therefore be seen that there is a need to provide an inexpensive and more accurate means of melting thermoplastics so as to facilitate the joining of members.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide methods and apparatus which overcome the above disadvantages and which are both inexpensive and effective.
According to a first aspect of the Invention there is therefore provided a method for joining theretogether at least two apertured members comprising: a) positioning said members so that said apertures are aligned; b) positioning a thermo-melt member In aligned relationship with respect to said apertures; c) heating said thermo-melt element using a light source; and d) forcing said thermo-melt element into said apertures.
According to a further aspect of the Invention there is provided a method for joining theretogether at least two members wherein a first member is provided with a projection and a second member is provided with an aperture adapted to accommodate said projection, and further wherein said outermost part of said projection is provided with a thermo-melt material, comprising: a) positioning said member so that said projection is placed in said aperture; b) heating said thermo-melt end of said projection using a light source; and c) applying a force to said thermo-melt end so as to form said end whereby the aperture is sealed and the end is fixed in said joined position.
According to a yet further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of joining theretogether at least two members wherein said members are each provided with at least one complementary surface so that the bringing theretogether of said members forms a joint, and further wherein at least one of said ends if provided with a thermo-melt material comprising: a) positioning said members theretogether so as to bring said ends together to form said joint; and b) heating said thermo-melt material using a light source whereby said joint is thermo-sealed.
It will be apparent from the above that the invention lies in the realization that a light source can be used to stake, swage or seam theretogether a plurality of members. It has not hitherto been realized in the art that a light source can be used as an inexpensive and accurate means of heating thermo-melt materials for the purpose of joining members theretogether.
In an ideal method of the invention the heat source comprises a light source including a lens means which reflects said light accurately on to said thermo-melt material.
Preferably a filter is positioned between the heat source and said members for the purpose of filtering all but infra-red energy. Preferably further still a collimator is positioned downstream of the heat source for the purpose of controlling the direction of travel of the light source, which collimator includes a lens which is made either of silicone, germanium, zinc or zirconium selenide. These materials are preferred for use in the collimator because they transmit electromagnetic energy in a one to ten micron range, which range is effective at melting a wide range of plastics materials.
Preferably the heat source comprises a halogen lamp such as a Tungsten halogen lamp which produces infra-red heat in the near and far frequency range (900 nanometres to 20 microns). The heat source is preferably positionable within a semi-circular reflector, which reflector is preferably coated with gold. Gold is the preferred material for coating the reflector because it will not allow the transmission of long wavelengths of electromagnetic energy.
In yet further methods of the invention the heat or light source may include arc lamps such as zenon arc lamps or lasers which are advantageous because they dispense with the need for reflectors. Arc lamps produce infra-red energy at a frequency of 1.1 micron and lasers, that is carbon dioxide lasers, produce infra-red energy at a frequency of 10.6 microns.
Thus each of these lamps is applicable to the Invention.
It will be understood that the amount of heat emanating from the light source will be determined by controlling the ampage or voltage supplied to the light source so that the welding temperature of the apparatus can be varied to accommodate the melt index of the members to be welded.
According to a yet further aspect of the invention there Is provided an apparatus for use in the joining theretogether of a plurality of members comprising; a mounting means on which said members can be mounted during operation of the apparatus and a heat source as previously described.
It will be understood that said members referred to above include all those members referred to in the above described methods.
In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus there Is further provided an urging means for the purpose of forcing said thermo-melt member into a preferred position.
In yet a further preferred modification of the apparatus, and in particular where said members having complementary sides are to be brought together to form a seal, there is further provided a means for moving said light source with respect to said joint so that the entire perimeter of said joint can be thermo-welded.
The method and apparatus of the invention therefore provides a way of accurately and inexpensively heat sealing theretogether a plurality of members. The advantages to be gained from the invention comprise the following: low running costs low power consumption short melt times low maintenance no pumps or compressed air as in hot air systems no expensive apparatus as In ultra-sonic systems temperature control via power inlet heat source follows the thermo-melt material so there is no waiting for the temperature to rise.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only-, with reference to the accompanying Figures, wherein: Figure 1 represents a diagrammatic view of a first aspect of the invention; Figure 2 represents a diagrammatic view of a second aspect of the invention; Figure 3 represents a diagrammatic view of a third aspect of the invention; and Figures 4a and 4b represent a diagrammatic of a fourth aspect of the invention.
Referring to the Figures and firstly to Figure 1, there is shown a first aspect of the invention which includes the joining theretogether of a plurality of members by a staking or swaging process. In the diagram, two members 1 and 2 are shown positioned one above the other with apertures 3 and 4, located respectively in members 1 and 2, aligned.
Positioned above said aligned apertures 3 and 4 is a stake 5 made of a thermo-melt material such as a plastics material.
Remote from said members 1 and 2 and said stake 5, there Is provided a heat source comprising a lamp 6 such as a halogen light source including a filament 7 and an ellipsoidal reflector 8. The innermost surface of reflector 8 is coated with gold pigment so as to facilitate the focusing of light during the working of the invention.
There is further provided an urging means 9 having a contact face 9a, which face may be fashioned to advantage, for example, which face may be shaped in a semi-circular fashion so as to ensure that contact of face 9a with the uppermost surface of stake 5 is optimized.
During operation, filament 7 emits light energy which Is focused by reflector 8 on to the upper outermost surface of stake 5, as indicated by the arrows. The temperature of the light source may be varied by varying the ampage and voltage in conventional manner. After a pre-determined length of time, stake 5 will have been thermo-melted to a sufficient extent to ensure that it will pass easily through apertures 3 and 4 and when this condition is reached urging means 9 is forced downwardly so that face 9a makes contact with stake 5 thus forcing stake 5 Into the apertures 3 and 4.
Urging means 9 is then reciprocated back to its original position.
After completion of the above operation it will be evident that the thermometled stake 5 has been inserted into apertures 3 and 4. The stake 5 will then be allowed to cool thus ensuring that the stake is not only inserted within apertures 3 and 4 but also sealed therein.
It will also be evident from the above that the use of a light source as a means of heating the stake 5 ensures that focused, and therefore accurate, heating of stake 5 takes place.
Referring now to Figure 2, there is illustrated a method and apparatus which bears great similarity with Figure 1, thus like members are illustrated with like references.
However, the relative positioning of lamp 6 and urging means 9 has been varied such that lamp 6 is positioned in aligned relationship above said stake 5 and apertures 3 and 4. Consequently, urging means 9 is mounted to the side of said stake 5 and apertures 3 and 4 in movable fashion so that urging means 9 can be moved to overlie stake 5 once heating is completed. It will be apparent that in this latter arrangement urging means 9 is movably mounted for displacement In both the horizontal and verticai axes.
Figure 3 shows how two members 1 and 2 can be joined theretogether using a forming process. Specifically, member 1 is provided on uppermost side 1a with a projection 5. Member 2 is provided with an aperture 4 sized and shaped to accommodate projection 5. Thus, when members 1 and 2 are brought together projection 5 is inserted through aperture 4 such that the outermost end 5a of projection 5 protrudes from above the upper surface 2a of member 2. Thereafter, end 5a is heated using a light source as above described and after a pre-determined amount of heating an urging means is forced into contact with end 5a so as to produce the formed head 10 as illustrated in Figure 3. Upon cooling it will be apparent that head 10 not only seals aperture 4 but also ensures that members 1 and 2 are sealed theretogether.
Finally, referring to Figures 4s and 4b, it can be seen that it is within the scope of the invention to thermo-weld theretogether members 1 and 2 having complementary ends 1 a and 2a which are sized and shaped so as to fit theretogether, for example, in contiguous fashion. At least an outermost part of at least one end, either 1 a or 2a, is provided with a thermo-melt material so that upon heating the thermo-melt material can be used to weld members 1 and 2 theretogether.
It will be evident that the successful welding of the entire perimeter of the joint represented by the joining together of members 1 and 2 is undertaken by moving the joint with respect to the light source. This can be done by either mounting members 1 and 2 for the purpose of rotation with respect to the light source. Or alternatively, mounting the light source for rotation with respect to the joint.
In a more elaborate embodiment of the invention there is included, downstream of said light source and upstream of said thermo-melt target, a collimator, ideally including a zirconium selenide lens system, to ensure that the light energy is focused with respect to said target.

Claims (10)

1. A method for joining theretogether at least two apertured members comprising: a positioning said members so that said apertures are aligned, b positioning a thermo-melt member in aligned relationship with respect to said apertures, c heating said thermo-melt member using a light source; and d locating said thermo-melt member in said aligned apertures.
2. A method for joining theretogether at least two members wherein a first member is provided with a projection and a second member is provided with an aperture adapted to accommodate said projection, and further wherein said outermost part of said projection is provided with a thermo melt material comprising: a positioning said member so that said projection is placed in said aperture, b heating said thermo-melt projection using a light source, and c applying a force to said thermo-melt material so as to form said material whereby the aperture is sealed and the projection is fixed in said joint position.
3. A method of joining theretogether at least two members wherein said members are each provided with at least one complimentary surface so that the bringing theretogether of said members forms a joint, and further wherein as least one of said surfaces is provided with a thermo-melt material comprising: a positioning said members theretogether so as to bring said surfaces together to form said joint, and b heating said thermo-melt material using a light source whereby said joint is thermo-sealed
4. A method according to any preceding claim wherein said light source is focused onto said thermo-melt material using a lens.
5. A method according to any preceding claim wherein a filter is positioned between the light source and said members for the purpose of filtering all but infra-red energy.
6. A method according to any preceding claim wherein a collimator is positioned downstream of the light source for the purpose of controlling the direction of travel of the light.
7. A method according to any preceding claim which further includes varying the amount of energy emitted from the light source.
8. An apparatus for use in the joining theretogether of a plurality of members comprising: a mounting means on which said members can be mounted during operation of the apparatus, a light source, and an urging or positioning means for the purpose of forcing or bringing said members theretogether, and further wherein said mounting means, light source and urging or positioning means are so arranged that following the melting of a thermo-melt material, provided on at least one of said members, with said light source said members can be urged or positioned theretogether so that the thermo-melt material is in contact with at least two of said members.
9. A method for joining theretogether at least two members as substantially herein described and with reference to the accompanying figures.
10. An apparatus for joining theretogether at least two members as substantially herein described and or with reference to the accompanying figures.
GB9311032A 1993-05-28 1993-05-28 Joining members using heat from a light source Withdrawn GB2278571A (en)

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DE19700518A1 (en) * 1997-01-09 1998-07-16 Fraunhofer Ges Forschung Attaching thermoplastic component by riveting over integral projections
EP1036644A1 (en) * 1999-03-16 2000-09-20 Emerson Electric Co. Method and apparatus for deforming a thermoplastic projection using laser energy
WO2002004168A1 (en) * 2000-07-06 2002-01-17 Trico Products Corporation Method and apparatus for flexible manufacturing a discrete curved product from feed stock
WO2002026476A1 (en) * 2000-09-28 2002-04-04 OCé PRINTING SYSTEMS GMBH Method and device for producing continuous belts from plastic films
US7238254B2 (en) * 2004-06-18 2007-07-03 Xerox Corporation Laser welded photoreceptor belts with quartz pressure plate welding seam control
EP1792707A3 (en) * 2005-12-02 2008-12-10 Gkss-Forschungszentrum Geesthacht Gmbh Process and device for joining a plastic workpiece to another workpiece
DE102015106563A1 (en) * 2015-04-28 2016-11-03 Airbus Operations Gmbh Method for joining fiber-reinforced structural components
WO2018059749A1 (en) * 2016-09-29 2018-04-05 Technische Universität Braunschweig Method for joining a first component and a second component

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GB1236636A (en) * 1967-07-14 1971-06-23 Messer Griesheim Gmbh Apparatus for welding and cutting workpieces
US3769117A (en) * 1971-12-30 1973-10-30 American Can Co Laser welding plastic tubes
EP0160425A2 (en) * 1984-04-25 1985-11-06 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha A process for joining different kinds of synthetic resins
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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19700518A1 (en) * 1997-01-09 1998-07-16 Fraunhofer Ges Forschung Attaching thermoplastic component by riveting over integral projections
DE19700518C2 (en) * 1997-01-09 2000-03-16 Fraunhofer Ges Forschung Device and method for deforming thermoplastic material for connecting two components
EP1036644A1 (en) * 1999-03-16 2000-09-20 Emerson Electric Co. Method and apparatus for deforming a thermoplastic projection using laser energy
US6813923B2 (en) 2000-07-06 2004-11-09 Trico Products Corporation Method and apparatus for flexible manufacturing a discrete curved product from feed stock
US6622540B2 (en) 2000-07-06 2003-09-23 Trico Products Corporation Method and apparatus for flexible manufacturing a discrete curved product from feed stock
WO2002004168A1 (en) * 2000-07-06 2002-01-17 Trico Products Corporation Method and apparatus for flexible manufacturing a discrete curved product from feed stock
WO2002026476A1 (en) * 2000-09-28 2002-04-04 OCé PRINTING SYSTEMS GMBH Method and device for producing continuous belts from plastic films
US7318878B2 (en) 2000-09-28 2008-01-15 Oce Printing Systems Gmbh Method and device for producing continuous belts from plastic films
US7553391B2 (en) 2000-09-28 2009-06-30 Oce Printing Systems Gmbh Method and device for manufacturing an endless band of plastic for an intermediate carrier band
US7238254B2 (en) * 2004-06-18 2007-07-03 Xerox Corporation Laser welded photoreceptor belts with quartz pressure plate welding seam control
EP1792707A3 (en) * 2005-12-02 2008-12-10 Gkss-Forschungszentrum Geesthacht Gmbh Process and device for joining a plastic workpiece to another workpiece
DE102015106563A1 (en) * 2015-04-28 2016-11-03 Airbus Operations Gmbh Method for joining fiber-reinforced structural components
US10301003B2 (en) 2015-04-28 2019-05-28 Airbus Operations Gmbh Method for connecting fiber-reinforced structural components
DE102015106563B4 (en) 2015-04-28 2024-03-21 Airbus Operations Gmbh Method for connecting fiber-reinforced structural components
WO2018059749A1 (en) * 2016-09-29 2018-04-05 Technische Universität Braunschweig Method for joining a first component and a second component

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