Abstract: A converter for an ultrasonic welder includes a stack of piezoelectric disks alternately stacked with metal conductor disks in between. A pair of driver plates are disposed on opposite ends of the stack of piezoelectric disks. The piezoelectric disks include an outer perimeter surface that extends radially outward beyond the metal conductor disks. The outer perimeter surface of the piezoelectric disks can include an undulating surface.

Abstract: A work piece processing tool includes a tool device and a work piece that can be held by a workpiece holder. A servo-elastic actuator system includes a servo actuator and a compliance elastic member that connects one of the tool device and the work piece holder to the servo actuator. The servo-elastic actuator system moves the one of the tool device and the work piece holder toward the other of the tool device and the work piece holder. A locking mechanism engages the one of the tool device and the work piece holder to the servo actuator to limit movement of the one of the tool device and the work piece holder relative to the servo actuator.

Abstract: In the vicinity of an opening end of a first liner constituent member and a second liner constituent member made of a resin material, a flange portion is formed. After end surfaces of the opening end are abutted and joined to each other, the flange portion is removed in such a way that a part of a bottom portion remains. The remaining amount of protrusion is set such that the joint strength of a joint portion is not less than the tensile strength of the resin material or not less than the cohesion failure strength of the joint portion.

Abstract: System and methods for using analytics and algorithms to predict weld quality are provided and include a computer having a processor and memory configured to receive weld parameter data generated during a welding process by a welder to join at least two parts with a weld, input the received weld parameter data to a data analytics model to generate at least one predicted weld quality parameter, compare the predicted weld quality parameter with a weld quality parameter threshold, and generate output indicating at least one of: the at least one predicted weld quality parameter and a result of the comparison between the at least one predicted weld quality parameter and the weld quality parameter threshold

Abstract: A work piece processing device includes a work piece processing head supported by an actuator including one of a servo actuator, a pneumatic actuator, a hydraulic actuator, an electric actuator, and a chain drive actuator. A controller uses two or more parameters concurrently in the controls of the work piece processing head and the actuator. According to a further aspect, the controller uses a time duration in the controls in conjunction with a predetermined parameter.

Abstract: A method for sensing intensity of laser light in a simultaneous laser welding system includes placing a smart part in a weld area. The smart part includes at least a laser light intensity sensor for sensing laser light directed at it. Laser light intensity is sensed by the laser light intensity sensor of the smart part which provides an output signal indicative thereof to a controller.

Abstract: Sensors comprising optical sensor fibers detect a laser light output from at least a laser delivery optical fiber to provide feedback of the laser light intensity detected by the optical sensor fiber. The optical sensor fibers may be integrated within a laser delivery bundle, or may be positioned between a delivery end of the laser delivery optical fiber and a plurality of work pieces to be welded. In various aspects, the feedback provided from the optical sensor fibers is used to control the laser light intensity or to alert an operator that the laser light intensity has fallen below a predetermined parameter.

Abstract: An ultrasonic system has an ultrasonic stack excited by a power supply. The ultrasonic stack has a plurality of components, including an ultrasonic converter, a booster and an ultrasonic horn. A method of controlling the ultrasonic system with the power supply includes upon replacing any of the components of the ultrasonic stack with a replacement component, inputting an amplitude parameter of the replacement component into the power supply, determining with the power supply an amplitude of an AC excitation signal at which to excite the ultrasonic converter based on amplitude parameters of the components including the amplitude parameter of each replacement component. The power supply then sets the amplitude of the AC excitation signal at this determined amplitude.

Abstract: A work piece processing device includes a tool device, a work piece holder and a servo-elastic actuator system having simultaneous precision force and position control that moves one of the tool device and the work piece holder to the other of the tool device and work piece holder. The servo-actuator system including a servo-actuator, a compliance elastic member and a weight compensation elastic member disposed in a force transmission path with the compliance elastic member and the weight compensation elastic member disposed with respect to each other so that a spring force exerted by the weight compensation elastic member is opposed to a spring force exerted by the compliance elastic member.

Abstract: A narrow waveguide homogenizes laser light traveling from a laser light source of a laser bank through a plurality of laser delivery bundles that include at least a fiber optic bundle leg to weld a plurality of work pieces along a weld line that is narrower than the width of the fiber optic bundle leg. The narrow waveguide has a portion associated with each fiber optic bundle leg that is narrower than the fiber optic bundle leg with which that portion of the waveguide is associated. A reflective bounce plane diverts laser light of the fiber optic bundle leg that does not travel through the narrow waveguide.

Abstract: Plastic parts are welded in a laser welding system. An infrared laser source in a laser chamber is controlled by a controller using closed-loop feedback control with a corrected feedback signal that is compensated for background infrared radiation in the laser chamber. Prior to the infrared laser source being turned on, the controller senses with the optical sensor an intensity of background infrared radiation in the laser chamber. Once the laser is on, the controller senses with the optical sensor an intensity of infrared laser radiation in the laser chamber. The controller calculates the corrected feedback signal by subtracting the intensity of the background infrared radiation sensed when the infrared laser source was off from the intensity of the infrared laser radiation sensed when the infrared laser source is on.

Abstract: An ultrasonic welder includes dynamic adjustment of a weld parameter used to control welds of weld cycles during serial operation of the ultrasonic welder. The ultrasonic welder includes a power supply controlled by a controller and the controller sets a value of the weld parameter for a next weld cycle based on a value of a stack heat energy parameter indicative of heat energy in the ultrasonic stack prior to beginning the next weld cycle. The controller controls the power supply based on the value set for the weld parameter to control a weld in the next weld cycle.

Abstract: Sensors incorporated within a waveguide detect a laser light output from at least a laser delivery optical fiber to provide in situ feedback of the laser light intensity detected by the sensor. The sensors may detect laser light directly from the laser delivery optical fiber or as reflected back from a plurality of work pieces during a weld cycle. In various aspects, the feedback provided from the sensors is used to control the laser light intensity or to alert an operator that the laser light intensity is below a predetermined parameter.

Abstract: Plastic parts are welded with a true 3D volumetric weld using intersecting multi-beam trace laser welding in which a plurality of spot laser beams having the same wavelength are directed to the so that the laser beams intersect each other at a point along a weld path within one of the plastic parts at an angle in an intersection angle range between ten degrees and ninety degrees. The plurality of laser beams are traced so that the intersection of the plurality of laser beams traces along the weld path to form a weld pattern that is linear, curvilinear, planar or three dimensional along a joint that is inside a volume of plastic. The plastic part in which the laser beams intersect is partially absorptive to laser light at a wavelength and the laser beams have this wavelength.

Abstract: Ultrasonic stack contact with an object is detected upon the determination that the frequency of the ultrasonic stack has changed from the frequency of that ultrasonic stack operating near resonance in air.

Abstract: A work piece processing device includes a tool device, a work piece holder and a servo-elastic actuator system having simultaneous precision force and position control that moves one of the tool device and the work piece holder to the other of the tool device and work piece holder. The servo-actuator system including a servo-actuator, a compliance elastic member and a weight compensation elastic member disposed in a force transmission path with the compliance elastic member and the weight compensation elastic member disposed with respect to each other so that a spring force exerted by the weight compensation elastic member is opposed to a spring force exerted by the compliance elastic member.

Abstract: A method for sensing intensity of laser light in a simultaneous laser welding system includes placing a smart part in a weld area. The smart part includes at least a laser light intensity sensor for sensing laser light directed at it. Laser light intensity is sensed by the laser light intensity sensor of the smart part which provides an output signal indicative thereof to a controller.

Abstract: A narrow waveguide homogenizes laser light traveling from a laser light source of a laser bank through a plurality of laser delivery bundles that include at least a fiber optic bundle leg to weld a plurality of work pieces along a weld line that is narrower than the width of the fiber optic bundle leg. The narrow waveguide has a portion associated with each fiber optic bundle leg that is narrower than the fiber optic bundle leg with which that portion of the waveguide is associated. A reflective bounce plane diverts laser light of the fiber optic bundle leg that does not travel through the narrow waveguide.

Abstract: Thermoplastic welding systems to weld work pieces together are provided. The work pieces are welded together at respective thermoplastic weld interface portions of the work pieces to form a weld. Before the weld interface portions have cooled, the weld interface portions are micro-pulled away from each other a micro-distance to strengthen the weld.

Abstract: An ultrasonic system has an ultrasonic stack excited by a power supply. The ultrasonic stack has a plurality of components, including an ultrasonic converter, a booster and an ultrasonic horn. A method of controlling the ultrasonic system with the power supply includes upon replacing any of the components of the ultrasonic stack with a replacement component, inputting an amplitude parameter of the replacement component into the power supply, determining with the power supply an amplitude of an AC excitation signal at which to excite the ultrasonic converter based on amplitude parameters of the components including the amplitude parameter of each replacement component. The power supply then sets the amplitude of the AC excitation signal at this determined amplitude.