Plastics can be connected mechanically (bolt, screw, rivet and click connections, inserting), chemically (glue, sealants) and thermally (welding).
Advantages of plastic welding are the great strength, the great reproducibility and the short cycle times. Furthermore, no additional materials are required, which saves costs and assembly operations.
Only thermoplastic plastics are suitable for welding, because they can be melted again and again. Thermosets are not weldable. The plastic parts are heated to melt and mix at the location of the part seam, after which they must be cooled.
The welding techniques used for this, differ in terms of the input of energy (heat) via:
- Thermal conductivity (eg heat sealing, impulse welding, mirror welding);
- Convection (eg welding with hot air);
- Radiation (eg welding with thermal radiation, laser welding);
- Friction, e.g. friction welding (external friction);
- Ultrasonic welding (internal friction);
- Dielectric heating: High frequency (HF) welding.
The choice of welding technique is mainly determined by the material and shape of the product, the quality requirements of the product and process, the investment costs (machine, tools, etc.) and the production cost.
Willems E&C has extensive knowledge of welding- and cutting techniques for thermoplastic plastics and (coated) technical textiles, and the machines and tools required for this, and has many years of cooperation with professional partners for the delivery of these.
For the supply of open HF welding machines and CNC cutting machines we represent our Italian partner Balacchi SRL in Milan, Italy.
The Balacchi open stationary and movable HF welding machines are specially designed for the manufacture of medium to very large PVC constructions such as tents and tent structures, tarpaulins, covers, sliding tarpaulins, truck and trailer tarpaulins, water and gas tanks, sun blinds, stretch ceilings, swimming pool floors and tarpaulins, advertising tarpaulins and banners, billboards, water basins, tension structures, mobile hangars and shelters, roller doors, dock shelters, partition walls, veranda walls, awnings, parasols, inflatables, oil screens, etc.
Examples of open HF welding machines:
Together with Balacchi, we develop and supply customer-specific solutions with open HF welding machines and associated tools, if desired with integrated manufacturing and handling processes.
Willems E&C can advise you extensively on the most suitable HF welding machine for your products and production applications.
The Balacchi automatic CNC cutting machines are available with static work table, and are the perfect solution for cutting the hardest and thickest materials with great versatility.
For high productivity, the CNC cutting machines can also be equipped with a conveyor belt. This gives you the ability to smoothly cut materials of unlimited length, without interrupting production.Balacchi automatic cutting machines can be adapted for all types of cutting requirements and applications.
Examples:
The Balacchi cutting machines can be equipped with various interchangeable tools for, for example, oscillating cutting (pneumatic or electric), rotating cutting, V-cutting (cardboard), Kiss-cutting (e.g. precise cutting of self-adhesive films without damaging the support material), CO2 laser cutting, punching – perforating, creasing (creating fold lines), drawing, milling, inkjet coding/marking. Extensions possible with, for example, roller feeding systems and carousels or paternoster systems, equipment with an unloading table for manual or robotized picking up of the cut parts.
The Balacchi automatic cutting machines can be configured entirely according to your individual requirements. We would be happy to define current and future production requirements together with you and advise you on the configuration of your optimal cutting machine.
Balacchi has a wide range of models of open HF welding machines and CNC cutting machines, each developed for different types of production. See the extensive program at www.balacchi.it.
For new closed HF welding machines and used HF welding machines, we work closely with Willems Industriële Producties BV.
Closed HF welding machines are usually more suitable for more compact and complex products such as pneumatic comfort seat systems in car seats, car seat upholstery and 3D car seat panels, car luggage covers, blood pressure cuffs, catheter systems, orthopaedic bandages, medical packaging.
Examples of closed HF welding machines:
For further information see www.willems-ip.nl.
