Automation is not yet standard in the plastic welding industry. While robot welding has been common practice in the metal sector for years, plastic welding often remains manual work. That manual work is physically demanding. Extrusion welding requires strength, precision and stamina, and just as in the metal sector, skilled workers are becoming increasingly scarce.
Valk Welding has been automating the welding process for the metal industry for more than 45 years. Valk Welding is now applying that expertise to automate plastic welding as well. A good plastic weld depends on three factors: temperature, speed and welding pressure. Together, these determine the quality of the weld. In extrusion welding, hot air heats the base material, after which ground and plasticised welding wire is added. A robot keeps these factors stable and so produces a consistent weld, even in places that are difficult for a welder to reach.
