Models VW-4i1 H, VW-6i2 H, and VW-6i3 H
Linear Vibration Welders
HyLine-2i Series Models
VW-4i1 H, VW-6i2 H,
and VW-6i3 H Linear
Vibration Welders
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Branson, the pioneer in vibration
welding with over 40 years of production experience
is proud to offer the enhanced version of our popular HyLine
2 Series linear vibration welder. Featuring the
all-new I-Class weld heads, Branson’s HyLine-2i Series
welders are complete assembly systems designed to weld
parts of various sizes and/or irregular shapes.
The I-Class weld heads offer multiple benefits including: increased tool weight capacities, increased
tool weight to frequency ratios, higher power drives (more plastic joining capacity), PPL technology
(see Machine Description section), interchangeable/common parts across weld head models, global
commonality, and lower noise output.
Three models, VW-4i1 H, VW-6i2 H, and VW-6i3 H are available to handle parts up to 46” by 22”
(1148 by 559 mm), or multiple smaller parts.
The Branson power supplies that drive the weld heads have an adjustable vibrating frequency range of
180 to 240 Hz. Modular construction allows the individual vibrator assembly and power supply/controller
components to be adapted to automated or custom systems.
Process Description
Vibration welding is a proven welding technology capable of producing
strong, pressure tight joints in thermoplastic parts.
Frictional heat is generated by pressing the surfaces of two plastic parts
together and vibrating one of the parts through a small linear
displacement in the plane of the joint. When a molten state is reached at
the joint interface, vibration is stopped and the parts are automatically
aligned. Clamping pressure is maintained briefly while the molten plastic
solidifies to form a bond approaching or equal to the strength of the
parent material.
Process Advantages
The major advantage of vibration welding lies in its
application to large (up to 60”/1524 mm long or 24”/610
mm wide), irregularly-shaped parts. Even cross ribs which
create separate compartments can be sealed. The process
also works with multi-plane and curved surfaces.
The technology offers the capability of welding more than
one part at a time; it also readily lends itself to automation.
Material Compatibility
Almost all thermoplastics can be vibration welded,
regardless of whether they have been injection molded,
extruded, foamed, or thermoformed. This process,
when compared with ultrasonic assembly, is particularly
advantageous for semi-crystalline resins such as acetal,
nylon, thermoplastic polyester, and polypropylene;
also polyvinyl chloride, cellulosics, and elastomers, filled
and reinforced resins, as well as those exhibiting
hygroscopic properties.
Markets/Applications
Automotive
• Instrument panels
• Clusters
• Door panels
• Lighting
• Reservoirs
• HVAC ducts
• Intake manifolds
• Bumpers
• Glove boxes
• Air resonators
Medical
• Chest drainage units
• Filters
• I-V units
•
Surgical instruments
• Insulated food trays
• Cassettes
Appliance
Pumps • Spray arms
•
•
Shelving • Fill funnels
•
Liquid dispensers • Water reservoirs
•
Small/large power tools • Vacuum cleaner housings
•
Ducts• Vacuum cleaner accessories
Instrument Panel
Medical Fluid Meter
Machine Sequence
The operator manually loads the parts to be welded. The
automatic sequence is initiated by activating the start
buttons:
• Sound door closes.
• Lift table moves to weld position and applies pressure.
• Weld and hold times sequence.
• Lift table moves to home position.
• Sound door opens.
• Part manually unloaded.
Spray Arms
Business/Consumer Electronics
Toner housings • Display assemblies
•
•
Door stiffeners• Circuit board encapsulation
Ink-jet cartridges
•
Packaging
•
Pallets • Display stands/shelves
• Point of purchase display blisters
Standard Machine Description
Vibration Welding
•Machine Frame - Welded
construction of steel tubing and
profiles incorporates four heightadjustable rubber mounts to allow
both machine leveling and absorption of mechanical vibrations.
•Vibrator Housing - A rigid steel
wassembly houses the individual
vibrator components; the main
assembly areas are precision
machined.
•Weld Head (Vibrator) - The elec-
tromagnetic principle of Branson’s
vibrator assembly is patented
and operates in a linear mode. The
vibrator assembly consists of a
set of laminations and cantilever
springs suspended from the
vibrator housing. Electromagnets
mounted in the housing act directly
upon the mechanical suspension
producing a peak-to-peak reciprocating displacement of 0.020 to
0.070 inch (0.5 to 1.8 mm) at
240 Hz. The springs return the
vibrator to the precisely-aligned
position when the electro-magnets
are de-energized, ensuring final
part alignment.
•PPL Technology (Weld Head
Drive) - The “Power Package
Linear” approach delivers consistent power output to the weld
head across the machine’s
frequency range. This prevents
“out of phase” mechanical versus
electrical resonances and ensures
maximum plastic joining capacity
across the tooling weight range
of the weld head.
•Sound Protection Cabinet -
The sound protection cabinet is
lined with sound absorbing material. An automatic vertical sliding
access door with acoustic lining
is incorporated in the front of the
cabinet. For operator safety, the
door automatically retracts if
the start buttons are released
before the door is closed.
•Door Drive - The two major
components for the door drive
are an air cylinder and specially
designed plastic and steel elements to provide smooth and
consistent movement.
•Rear Access Door - The rear
panel of the machine is fitted
with a full-size, interlocked door
to allow full access to tooling and
other machine components.
•Hydraulic Power Supply -
completely self-contained with
drip pan, is located inside the
rear access door.
product nameVW-HYLINE-2i
Vibration Welding
Key Features
•Controls system using an Allen
Bradley Compact Logix PLC. All
system parameters are set through
an Allen Bradley Panelview Plus 700
(optional 1000). The PLC system
monitors the welding parameters
and controls all functions of the
machine including: frequency
(direct reading in Hz), weld time,
melt distance (collapse), hold time,
amplitude, weld clamp forces,
and hold clamp forces.
•Storage of up to twenty sets of
weld parameters. By calling up
one of these presets, the operator
automatically programs the machine
to the setpoints for that particular
application.
• The system also provides process
verification during each weld
cycle. This verification is a live
reading of the actual amplitude,
force, weld time, and melt distance
occurring during that cycle.
•Linear displacement transducer
for table positioning and meltdown.
The transducer provides a
positioning repeatability of 0.001”
over the length of the transducer
and a meltdown resolution of
0.0005”. This ensures tight control
of the pre-weld stack-up height and
precise meltdown capabilities, as
well as the ability to set the table
loading height.
•SPC capabilities. The PLC program
can provide a data stream to a
communications port to enable the
user to connect to a computer and
log the weld parameters over a
period of time. The data can then be
processed by the user’s program
to provide a printout in any number
of forms: bar charts, histograms,
range charts, etc.
•Diagnostic program which allows
the machine to be compared
against a known set of conditions. This
enhances troubleshooting capabilities
by matching the unit’s current outputs
with a standard set of values recorded
during initial setup.
•Digital power supply provides
increased starting power and better
control of the weld process.
•Self-tuning frequency program.
Pressing a button on the interface will
allow the machine to automatically
find and store the resonant frequency
of the upper tooling mass. This known
value can then be saved in a preset or
manually input the next time the same
upper tool is installed for production.
The frequency range of the unit is
variable between 200 Hz and 250 Hz.
•Precise amplitude input and control
in a range between 0.020” and 0.70”
(0.5 -1.8 mm). The peak-to-peak
welding amplitude
can be set at the keypad in 0.001”
increments.
•Simple maintenance-free
electromechanical vibrator with only
one moving part and no bearing
surfaces to lubricate or wear.
•Hydraulic lift/clamp system includes
two proportional valves to control the
speed of the lift table and the clamp
force applied to the parts.
•Force profiling - The HyLine control
has up to four programmable weld
forces to provide more accurate
control of weld meltdown velocity.
It also has one programmable
hold force.
•Amplitude profiling - Four
programmable amplitudes are
available for controlling welding.
•Configurable user I/O is available
for tooling functions - Up to 32
I/O’s are optional.
Available Options
• Light curtain
• Light curtain protection guards
• Duplex electrical outlet (120 V)
• Dual lift cylinders (provides
21”/533 mm stroke and table
opening depth of 12.5”/317 mm)
Note: All sales shall be subject to the Supplier’s terms and conditions of sale as described in Branson’s quotations and sales contracts.
Warranty: The HyLine-2i Vibration Welder Models VW-4i1 H, VW-6i2 H and VW-6i3 H are warrantied to be free from
defects two years for parts and one year for labor from the date of shipment.
ISO Certifications