Plastic welding with various techniques for every application
In plastic welding, plastic parts are joined together using heat. By heating the material locally and adding a plastic welding rod, a strong bond is created between the parts. At Lakwijk Kunststoffen, we perform fully customized plastic welding, tailored to the material, the application, and the load the final product must withstand.
When is plastic welding suitable?
Plastic welding is suitable for applications that require a sturdy joint. Examples include drip pans, battery drip pans, collection pans for compressors, and other technical plastic structures. In these types of applications, the joint may be exposed to moisture, stress, or chemicals.
When watertightness or strength is important, welding can be a logical choice. In plastic welding, the parts are, as it were, fused together. This creates a strong joint that is well-suited for functional applications.
Which plastics can be welded?
At Lakwijk, we primarily weld plastics such as:
These materials are suitable for plastic welding and are often used in technical and industrial settings. The welding wire used is made of the same material as the part itself. This creates a joint between materials that fit together well.
Transparent plastics, such as polycarbonate and acrylic, are generally not welded in practice. For visible applications or transparent covers, bonding is often a better choice, as it produces a neater visual result.
Plastic welding or plastic gluing?
Whether welding or gluing is the best choice depends on the application. Gluing is often chosen when the joint needs to be neat and visually appealing, such as with transparent machine covers. Welding, on the other hand, is more commonly used for functional parts, such as drip pans or technical structures.
With welding, the emphasis is on strength, watertightness, and reliability. With gluing, the emphasis is more often on speed, finish, and appearance. In some cases, these techniques can also be combined, for example, by mechanically fastening parts and then applying a weld seam.
How does the welding process work?
In plastic welding, the parts are first cut to size, for example by milling. The parts are then positioned, and the weld is applied. Heat is used to sufficiently warm the base material and the welding wire so that they fuse together.
The correct temperature and procedure are crucial here. Sufficient heat must be applied to achieve a strong bond without unnecessarily deforming or damaging the material. After welding, the part is generally ready for use or further processing.
What do we consider when welding plastics?
When welding plastics, we first assess the component’s intended application. Does the component need to be watertight? Will it be exposed to chemicals? Is extra strength required? And does the joint need to be combined with a mechanical fastener?
The choice of material is also important. Not every plastic is suitable for welding, and not every application requires the same type of joint. That’s why we assess each request to determine which joining method best suits the final product.
Plastic welding at Lakwijk
Are you looking to have plastic welded? Lakwijk Kunststoffen is happy to collaborate with you on material selection, design, weld joints, and execution. This ensures a plastic component that meets your application requirements, load capacity, and desired end result. Please contact us.
BendingPlastic bending is a technique in which thermoplastic sheet material is bent to a desired ...
Turning plasticPlastic turning is a machining technique in which rotating material is removed using a sta...
Plastic millingA machining technique in which material is removed using a rotating cutting tool (milling ...
Plastic saw to sizeWe saw materials to size for customers and for our own processing departments. We carry ou...
GluingPlastic bonding is a technique in which plastic components are permanently joined using ad...
