InfraGuide: Focused IR Welding for Clean Plastic Parts
ON-DEMAND WEBINAR
Are you frustrated with the shortcomings of traditional IR welding? Let us introduce you to InfraGuide, the infrared welding technology for people who don’t like IR welding.
In this interactive webinar, you’ll learn why manufacturers who wrote off IR welding are switching to InfraGuide. Of course, like all of Extol’s webinars, you’ll get to engage and ask questions all along the way.
Focused infrared welding for clean, particulate-free parts
InfraGuide is not like other infrared (IR) welding technologies. If you’ve struggled with IR welding in the past because of uneven heating or flare-ups, InfraGuide is for you. The technology focuses IR energy from small 100 W bulb-type emitters onto the weld joints of your parts. Each bulb is independently adjusted for uniform energy distribution along the entire weld. And there are no flare-ups. Positive air pressure clears the weld area of any off-gassing and eliminates any risk of fire. The result is a clean welding process that is safe and efficient to use.
The InfraGuide Process
InfraGuide uses focused IR energy to heat the weld joint on two parts. Once the joints are heated, the InfraGuide tooling moves out of the way and the parts are pressed together to weld.
Heat
InfraGuide emitters focus the IR energy on the weld ribs of both parts, heating them.
Open
Once the weld ribs are hot, the InfraGuide emitters are removed.
Weld
The parts are brought together and welded.
Application-driven IR welding solutions
We customize each InfraGuide IR welding machine to the application. That means, that the machine can be as large or as small as you need it to be. It can apply force using whatever method you want. No matter what, you get the IR welding solution that is best suited for your parts.
InfraGuide Benefits
Focused and Efficient
InfraGuide focuses the IR energy directly onto the weld rib. This allows for the use of efficient, low-wattage IR lamps. The IR energy is switched off between each cycle, saving energy.
Uniform Energy
Each IR lamp is independently controlled. So, we can precisely tune the rate of heating along the weld rib for uniform energy distribution. That means the entire weld rib reaches optimal welding temperature at the same time while minimizing material degradation.
No Flare Ups
Positive air pressure passing through the InfraGuide module exhausts any material off-gassing. In other IR technologies, those gasses hover around the weld rib and have the potential to ignite into flames. InfraGuide eliminates that risk.
Clean
InfraGuide is a non-contact, non-vibratory welding technology. That means no sticking and no particulate. Furthermore, we control the power and gradually heat the material so it reaches temperature without discoloration or degradation.
IR Welding Comparison
Quartz IR
- Medium weld strength
- Heating time: 15-30 seconds
- Works with any material color, except clear
- Masking is used to control where energy is absorbed by the part, which is not precise
- Energy is not uniformly applied to the weld rib
- Not recommended for use with sensitive applications
- Some risk of flare-ups
Metal Foil IR
- Medium weld strength
- Heating time: 15-30 seconds
- Works with any material color, except clear
- No masking necessary to control where energy is absorbed by the part.
- Energy is not precisely controlled
- Not recommended for use with sensitive applications
- High risk of flare-ups
InfraGuide
- High weld strength
- Heating time: 10-20 seconds
- Works with any material color, including clear
- Precise, focused energy placement on the part
- Tunable, uniform energy control, and distribution
- Safe to use with sensitive applications
- No risk of flare-ups
Request a quote for InfraGuide.
Tell us about your application and request a quote. Whether you want a standalone InfraGuide machine or custom automation, we’ve got you covered.
Let us know what you need.