What is staking?
Plastic staking is a method of joining components together that uses a molded stud or boss to mechanically retain a mating component. Heat is applied to the boss, softening it. A forming tool is then used to reshape the material into a cap or stake.
There are many types of plastic staking technologies. They vary in their application of heat and pressure, but the general concept is the same, form a plastic boss or stud into a stake to retain a mating component. Here are a few of the different staking technologies available.
nanoSTAKE
Revolutionary new staking process that uses Smart Respond™ heating technology to rapidly heat and cool a punch to stake plastic.
InfraStake
Focused infrared light radially heats the plastic boss and a non-heated punch forms the stake.
Hot Air Cold Punch
Heated air softens the plastic boss and a non-heated punch forms the stake.
Ultrasonic
Metal tool (sonotrode) vibrates against the plastic boss generating frictional heat to melt it and form a stake.
Thermal Punch
Heated metal forming tool melts and forms the plastic boss into a stake.
The InfraStake Process
Clamp
Module is positioned over the molded boss. The face of the concentrator clamps the part directly at the stake point.
Heat
Infrared (IR) lamp is illuminated. Light is focused radially on the plastic boss.
Form
IR lamp is switched off and the non-heated punch forms the semi-molten boss into a stake.
Retract
After the plastic has re-solidified, the punch retracts and the module retracts from the part.
Read our blog posts about InfraStake.
Learn more about InfraStake.
The nanoSTAKE Process
Heat
The Smart Respond™ heating technology heats the punch to a programmed melt temperature in seconds.
Form
The low-current, high-performance heater maintains melt temperature as the punch forms the boss into a stake.
Cool
Once the punch reaches the correct height, it rapidly cools to a programmed release temperature.
Retract
The cooled module retracts with no sticking.
Read our blog posts about nanoSTAKE.
Learn more about nanoSTAKE.
The Hot Air Cold Punch Process
Heat
Air passes through a heater and is directed at the boss.
Form
Hot air shuts off and a non-heated forming tool forms the semi-molten boss into a stake. Cooling air passes through the module to cool the stake.
Retract
After the plastic has re-solidified, the forming tool retracts.
The Ultrasonic Staking Process
Heat
A metal tool (sonotrode) vibrates against the boss generating frictional heat.
Form
As the plastic melts, the sonotrode forms the boss into a stake.
Cool
Vibration stops and the sonotrode continues to apply pressure to the stake while it cools.
Retract
After the plastic has re-solidified, the sonotrode retracts.
The Thermal Punch Process
Heat
A hot metal forming tool applies pressure and conducts heat into the boss.
Form
As the plastic melts the hot tool forms the boss into a stake.
Cool
Cooling air is directed at the forming tool, lowering its temperature.
Retract
After the plastic has re-solidified, the forming tool retracts.
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