Soniqtwist® wins over OEMs and suppliers
The torsional ultrasonic plastic welding procedure of
Telsonic AG increases strength and lowers costs and weight in automobile
manufacturing
(Erlangen) For joining plastic parts for additional
functions to painted exterior parts in automobile manufacturing, the torsional
ultrasonic welding procedure of Telsonic AG delivers best results, not just in
terms of pull-off strength and marking avoidance. Supported by results from university
research, it is now winning over the automobile industry. Soniqtwist® will be included for the first
time at the start of production of a new volume model from a premium automobile
manufacturer. Fixing pins were welded to a side skirt with high process
reliability and repetition accuracy to ensure perfect seating with always the
same gap size.
"We were convinced by our torsional ultrasonic welding
procedure Soniqtwist® from the very beginning," Georg Lang
emphasised. "But the sparkling eyes
we met in response to it is really overwhelming," the general manager of
TELSONIC Germany continued. "The
numerous advantages of the patent-pending procedure have created an openness
among the OEMs that I have seldom experienced." With pull-off strength of up to
500 newtons, depending on the component and requirements, the torsional
ultrasonic welding procedure Soniqtwist®, developed by the ultrasonics pioneer
Telsonic, achieves convincing results. Scientifically investigated in-depth at
the Chemnitz University of Technology, the procedure is slowly but surely
finding its way into the automobile industry's production processes. For example, the 1st-tier supplier Faurecia
is inserting fixing pins with high process reliability and repetition accuracy
into painted side skirts of a new vehicle for a southern German manufacturer.
Material can be designed thinner
When joining plastic parts for additional functions, such as distance sensors, cable clips or fixing pins, what is especially important besides strength is that no marks are visible on the painted exterior parts. "The criteria here are especially strict, and an uncompromising inspection is made using a special light test," a Faurecia developer assures. Since Soniqtwist® gets by without the so-called "hedgehog" sonotrode, which penetrates the plastic, the danger of marks is not expected due to process reasons.
The special sonotrodes of Telsonic AG insert high vibration levels at amplitudes in the µm range into the materials and thus generate a sufficient melt layer to achieve high strength. The parts to be welded can be designed without special additional measures to design the joining surface. Since the sonotrode does not penetrate the painted part, the part can be designed with significantly less material thickness. For example, the wall thickness of a production vehicle's bumper can be up to 20% less. The savings in materials and weight can be considerable. "Looked at over the life of a volume model, this results in very significant cost savings," Lang says with assurance. This can also improve the CO2 values.
Automation and quality assurance
Quality control meets the high requirements in automobile
manufacturing. In contrast to other joining procedures, the familiar process
control from ultrasonic welding can be used completely. Soniqtwist® clearly has the advantage here
over adhesive procedures and other ultrasonic welding procedures. At the K Trade Fair, Telsonic and Faurecia,
together with the robot manufacturer Kuka, will present a fully automated production
cell that welds receptors for distance sensors into bumpers. Since the procedure permits identical parts
and the sonotrodes are small and light, automation with handling support is
easily implemented. Joining of
large-surface components is planned in a next step. Initial positive examination
results already exist.
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