Ultrasonic Punch and Weld in one step

PRESS RELEASE (2 PAGES)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Chris Van De Walker, Marketing
Tel.: 630-626-1642
Herrmann Ultrasonics, Inc.
1261 Hardt Circle, Bartlett IL 60103
Tel. (630) 626-1626
Fax (630) 626-1627
E-mail:
info@herrmannultrasonics.com
Internet:
www.herrmannultrasonics.com
If you publish this press release, please send a pdf with the publication to E-mail:
marketing@herrmannultrasonics.com
Save material cost and cycle time:
Ultrasonic Punch and Weld in one step
Filter membrane material is being used more frequently than ever in the design of plastic automotive and medical
devices. The membrane material allows a device to be completely sealed from condensation getting inside but
allows air to escape freely; preserving proper function of the device through pressure changes and protecting
sensitive electronics inside. This so called Pressure Balance Element (PBE) can be applied by mechanically
clamping, gluing or by using a thermal joining technology such as ultrasonic welding.
Ultrasonic welding is a common method of attaching the membrane to an injection molded piece; a core
application that Herrmann has had many years of experience perfecting the design of. During the process, the
ultrasonic vibrations are used to melt the plastic housing material allowing the molten plastic to flow into the
weave of membrane. Once the material cools the membrane remains embedded in the housing creating a
pressure tight seal. Compared to alternative methods, ultrasonic welding has many advantages including: fast
cycle time, low energy consumption and the process doesn’t require consumables to be purchased.
Due to short cycle times, ultrasonic welding is very suitable for automation and manual operations. Typical
applications require less than a few hundred milliseconds for the membrane to be immediately welded to the
housing. On top of cycle time, the technology only uses 10% of the power compared to other joining methods
such as heat; thus reducing utility costs and valuable energy usage.
The membrane material is offered by suppliers in roll or pre-punched disc form; the latter at a premium price.
Besides cost, the challenge with these options is transferring the material accurately to the work piece in a
consistent and timely manner.
The new modular ultrasonic punch and weld system MPW takes the technology to the next level providing all
possible benefits to the end-user. The system is not only an ultrasonic welder, but a means of die punching the
membrane into the appropriate shape and transporting the material to the weld region saving material cost and
production steps.
This modular system utilizes a reel to reel guide system to index the membrane material into position via tension
control. A cylinder actuates the ultrasonic tooling through a die-punch assembly cutting the material to size. As
the tool passes through the punch, a vacuum is applied in order to hold the material in place for the welding
operation.
The Herrmann MPW system is very flexible as it can be integrated into automation lines or used as a manual
workstation. The fully integrated work station will be shown at the NPE (booth # 3073) in Florida.
www.herrmannultrasonics.com

Page 2 of 2
Picture 1: MPW – modular ultrasonic
punch and weld system
Picture 2: Ultrasonically welded membrane