Ultrasonic plastic welding using fundamental and higher resonance frequencies

Ultrasonic plastic welding using fundamental and higher resonance frequency vibrations simultaneously was studied. Using higher frequency, welding characteristics is improved due to the larger vibration loss of plastic materials. The 26 kHz welding tip vibrates in maximum velocity of over 4.5 m/s (peak-to-zero value) under a fundamental resonance frequency and there are several higher resonance frequencies up to 95 kHz whose vibration velocities are over one-third that of the fundamental frequency. Welding characteristics of 1.0-mm-thick polypropylene sheets are measured in the cases the vibration system are driven under combined driving voltages of fundamental and higher resonance frequencies. Welded area increases as number of driven higher frequencies increases. The welded area by three frequencies is about three to four times that of the case where only the fundamental frequency is driven, The welding characteristics of ultrasonic plastic welding are improved significantly by driving higher resonance frequencies simultaneously. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.