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Ultrasonics Components Glossary
ACTUATOR
Part of an ultrasonics press that performs mechanical work by exploiting compressed air energy.
AMPLITUDE
Variable measure of the mechanical oscillation magnitude (vibration).
Amplitude is expressed in micrometers(µm).
ANVIL
Tool that is set opposite to the sonotrode. Its design can vary depending of its application.
AUTOMATED LINE
Automatic productive line set by PLC.
BOOSTER
Part of an ultrasonics component. It is used to increase the amplitude of the vibration that, eventually, will reach the sonotrode.
CONVERTER
Synonym: Transducer.
Tool composed of piezoelectric ceramics, which receives electrical energy from an ultrasonics generator.
Thanks to the ceramics, electrical energy is converted into mechanical energy (vibrations).
FREQUENCY
Measure indicating how many vibrations per second the sonotrode can perform.
GENERATOR
High-Voltage and sine waves generator. A converter will transform electrical/acoustical signal into mechanical movement.
HARDENING
Special treatment for sonotrodes that are going to be used on difficult to process materials.
INSERTION
Technique that allows to work on two different materials, like for example the insertion of metal screws inside a plastic product: thanks to the ultrasonic vibration, the plastic part gets softer and flows through the interstices of the bushing.
Ultrasonic inserts of metals guarantee safe anchoring in the plastic parts, even under severe twisting and traction.
INTERFACE
Communication board among one or more systems.
MANUAL HANDGRIP
Tools of different shapes employed in manual ultrasonic cutting and welding.
PLC
Device for setting and checking the machinery of automatic plants.
POWER
It is expressed in Watts; in the physics field, it is described as the amount of energy transferred in a unit of time.
PUNCHING
Method of separation, consisting in cutting the flat surface of a plastic object using a dedicated tool, though pressure or percussion.
Electric contacts are used to turn the machine off during ultrasonic punching activities.
RIVETING
Joining two materials using a rivet.
In ultrasonic riveting processes, mechanical vibrations are transferred from the sonotrode to the rivet.
The sonotrode acts as a riveting tool.
SONOTRODE
The ultrasonic tool that is in direct contact with the plastic part.
It is possible to cut or solder different products depending of the characteristics of the sonotrode designed following clients’ specifications.
TRIGGER
Trigger: Start trigger.
Ultrasonic triggering circuit by the operator depending on its application.
- In advance mode, ultrasounds are activated at the exact time the pneumatic press starts its run.
This allows the sonotrode to vibrate before it gets in contact with the materials that need to be welded. - In delayed mode, ultrasounds are activated only when the sonotrode gets in contact with the material, after passing the triggering threshold (in this case strength/pressure).
ULTRASONIC PRESS
Ultrasonic machine composed of a generator, a pneumatic actuator, a protective shell and a plate.
It is possible to use them both in semi-automatic and automatic implants.
It allows welding of two plastic parts thanks to the pressure generated by a pneumatic actuator.
ULTRASOUNDS
Mechanical sound waves. Ultrasonic frequencies, differently from the common acoustic phenomenon, they cannot be detected by human ears.
VIBRATING GROUP
Unit that includes a converter, a booster, and a sonotrode.
VIBRATION
Mechanical oscillation.
In ultrasonics technology, it is the electrical energy that gets transformed into mechanical energy with the action of a converter, which transfers said vibration through the sonotrode.