Infra-red welding for plastic pipes
March 1st 2006

A custom built, three station welding system using Heraeus infra-red emitters has helped a plastic pipe systems manufacturer to double the welding throughput of two complex geometry drainage components, while eliminating fume problems associated with the former hot plate welding process.

In operation the relevant component parts are loaded into top and bottom jigs at the first station. They are then indexed to the next station, where a cassette containing fourteen 2.4kW short wave infrared emitters is introduced between the bottom surface of the top component and the top surface of the bottom component. The infra-red emitters are powered up so that the surfaces are heated and softened.

Emitter power is controlled by pyrometer feedback of surface temperature. The cassette is then withdrawn and the softened surfaces of the components are pressed together to effect the weld.

The welded component is then indexed to a cooling station before returning to the first station for unloading.