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Chapter 2
Sonotrode Assembly
Chapter 2 / Sonotrode Assembly
Table of Contents
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Chapter 2 / Sonotrode Assembly
Safety
2.1 Safety
2.1.1 Safety Information for 2.1.2 Safe Operation
Maintenance and Setup
• Prevent the sonotrode from coming into
contact with metal parts during welding
• Do not disable the safety features under
operation.
any circumstances.
• Contact between any kind of object and
the sonotrode stack during the welding
cycles other than the welding surface is
• Always switch off the generator before prohibited. (e.g., contract with the hold-
changing the sonotrode stack (high volt- down plunger).
age danger).
• Before removing the covering, turn off
• Do not touch the sonotrode during welding
the main switch (high voltage danger).
operation (burn danger).
• Do not remove the converter housing
under any circumstances (high voltage
danger). • Contacting the sonotrode without the
material to be welded (e.g., contract with
the bearing surface) can damage the so-
• Even minimal mechanical alterations to notrode, the converter and/or the genera-
the sonotrode can have serious effects tor.
on the vibration behaviour and lead to a
• Penetration of moisture or fluids can lead
considerably shortened service life.
to damage to the converter.
• Use only original Herrmann sonotrodes.
Consult Herrmann Ultraschalltechnik be-
fore performing any repairs or mechani- 2.1.3 Intended Use
cal alterations.
• Use only original Herrmann adapter bolts The sonotrode stack is only used for the ultrasonic
bolts. welding of thermoplastics.
Other applications, particularly controlling compo-
nents for welding other materials, do not comply with
the intended use and may lead to dangerous situa-
tions.
Proper use includes observation of the information in
the operating instructions and adherence to the main-
tenance and service guidelines.
The sonotrode stack may only be used when it is in
a fully operational condition under observation of the
safety information and potential dangers associated
with the device.
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Chapter 2 / Sonotrode Assembly
Safety
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Function
2.2 Function
2.2.1 Basic Principle
Transformation of the
Amplitude transformer Drive shaft
transmission
booster
The ultrasonic sonotrode assembly operates on the principle of the natural resonance of objects. These forms of
motion can be systematically controlled. When the natural resonance of an object is excited by the application of
appropriate impulses, vibration occurs (for example, such as a guitar string when plucked).
The mechanical vibrations are transferred under pressure (welding force) to the pieces to be seamed. This
creates molecular friction in the material structure and interface friction which generates the heat necessary for
melting.
The local temperature (seam zone) causes an increase of the dampening coefficient which in turn causes the
plastic to soften. This results in a self-accelerating reaction, produced by the continual increase of the dampen-
ing factor and a correlative additional increase in temperature.
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Chapter 2 / Sonotrode Assembly
Function
3. Sonotrode
The three individual components are connected by special threaded studs (referred to as coupling or sonotrode
studs) and together form the sonotrode assembly. The unit is designed to produce a suitable resonating fre-
quency at 20 kHz. The unit is driven by the converter acting as the pulse source and generates a sine wave with
a longitudinal oscillation form. The resulting amplitude cycle is illustrated in the diagram above.
Push-
Push Rest-
Rest Pull-phase
Pull phase
The peak to peak amplitude is the total path
that the individual points of the sonotrode
stack travel between push and pull phases.
Peak to peak
The amplitude at the face of the sonotrode (welding surface) influences the welding behavior and for this reason
must be exactly adjusted for the welding task involved. It is therefore of special importance and must be con-
trolled by the converter, the booster and the sonotrode design.
As the mechanical stress on the sonotrode stack is immediately effected by the amplitude and therefore has
a direct influence on the operational life, it is especially important to make sure that the amplitude is never set
beyond what is necessary.
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Chapter 2 / Sonotrode Assembly
Converter
Converter housing
Titanium converter
neck, max. temp. 40 °C
Coupling surface
to booster or sonotrode
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Converter
Special Notes
• All of the contact surfaces and threads must be completely
clean, dry, undamaged and absolutely free from oil and
grease!
• Use only original Herrmann adapter bolts.
• To fit the components, screw the appropriate adapter bolts
into the threaded hole by hand until the stop is reached. This 1 Converter
ensures that roughly the same number of thread turns are
2 Hex joint
engaged in both components.
3 Booster
• The required torque for the converter-booster and the booster-
sonotrode connection is: 4 Sonotrode
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Chapter 2 / Sonotrode Assembly
Booster
2.4 Booster
Example (a), booster with flange
(a) with flange
(b) without flange
Coupling surface
to Converter
2.4.1 Design and Function
The booster (a), or ampli for short, consists of a tita-
nium carrier and a retaining ring, on which the entire
sonotrode stack in the welding machine‘s actuator
unit is mounted. Bore for hook
spanner
The booster (b) is a rotationally symmetric body
made of extremely strong titanium alloy.
The booster’s task is to transform the resonance am-
plitude emitted from the converter to the size required
by the sonotrode and thereby deliver the mechani-
cal oscillation energy created in the converter to the Flange
sonotrode.
The converter‘s oscillation amplitude can be increased
or decreased by changing the ampli which in turn
changes the amplitude supplied to the sonotrode.
Booster transfor-
mation value
Coupling surface
to sonotrode
Coupling surface
to sonotrode
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Chapter 2 / Sonotrode Assembly
Booster
1. remove HF connector
2. disconnect the air supply
3. remove the air hoses and then Example (b), booster
Example (a), booster without flange
4. remove the sonotrode stack from the tool holder,
with flange
5. secure the sonotrode (4) in a vic.
Special Notes
• All of the contact surfaces and threads must be completely 4
clean, dry, undamaged and absolutely free from oil and grease!
• Use only original Herrmann sonotrode studs.
• To fit the components, screw the appropriate adapter bolts into
the threaded hole by hand until the stop is reached. This ensures 1 Converter
that roughly the same number of thread turns are engaged in 2 Hex joint
both components.
3 Booster
• The required torque for the converter-booster and the booster-
4 Sonotrode
sonotrode-connection is:
for 20 kHz: 100 Nm
for 30 kHz: 70 Nm
for 35 kHz: 40 Nm
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Chapter 2 / Sonotrode Assembly
Sonotrode
Integrated so-
notrode mounting
sonotrode studs
Welding surface
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Chapter 2 / Sonotrode Assembly
Sonotrode
"X" (5) indicates the code for coating and thickness. 1 Serial number
2 Gain factor of the sonotrode
If the sonotrode welding surface has a polished ra- 3 Maximum allowed gain ratio of booster
dius (6), this is also marked.
4 Oscillation frequency
5 Code for coating and thickness
6 If present: Radius on the sonotrode weld-
ing surface
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Chapter 2 / Sonotrode Assembly
Sonotrode
Special Notes
• All of the contact surfaces and threads must be completely
clean, dry, undamaged and absolutely free from oil and grease!
• Use only original Herrmann sonotrode studs.
• To fit the components, screw the appropriate adapter bolts into
the threaded hole by hand until the stop is reached. This ensures 1 Converter
that roughly the same number of thread turns are engaged in 2 Hex joint
both components. 3 Booster
• The required torque for the converter-booster and the booster- 4 Sonotrode
sonotrode-connection is:
bei 20 kHz: 100 Nm
bei 30 kHz: 70 Nm
bei 35 kHz: 40 Nm
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Chapter 2 / Sonotrode Assembly
Tool Holder
The tool holder is electrically insulated from the rest of the sonotrode stack to enable it to
regulate the gap with the aid of a sensor.
1 Sonotrode stack
2 2 Support plate
3 CS-holder
4 Mounting bolts
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Chapter 2 / Sonotrode Assembly
Tool Holder
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Chapter 2 / Sonotrode Assembly
Sonderanwendungen
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Chapter 2 / Sonotrode Assembly
Technical Data
Features:
• Efficiency η ≥ 98%
• Titanium converters guarantee a long service life and the transfer of large amplitudes
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Chapter 2 / Sonotrode Assembly
Technical Data
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Chapter 2 / Sonotrode Assembly
Troubleshooting
2.9 Troubleshooting
2.9.1 Excessive Noise
Possible Causes
• The sonotrode, the booster or the converter were not assembled properly.
• The booster bolt is defective.
• Dirty contact surface.
• Crack in the sonotrode.
• The sonotrode support stud is loose (only for CS-holder).
• Idling rate of the sonotrode stack is too high (see Generator chapter section "Testing the Idling rate").
Solutions
• Tighten the sonotrode, booster and converter according to the instructions (note the torque).
• Use new booster bolt (use only original Herrmann booster bolt).
• Clean contact surface.
• Exchange the sonotrode.
• Fit sonotrode stack correctly.
• Mount the sonotrode stack in the tool holder according to the instructions.
Possible Causes
• The sonotrode has been operated at too high of an amplitude (see section “Sonotrode Identification Label”)
• The sonotrode has been altered in an unauthorised way.
• The sonotrode was allowed to continue to operate in idle despite the development of loud noise.
• The sonotrode came into contact with metal.
• Generator‘s control parameters not suitable for application.
Solution
• The sonotrode must be exchanged and sent to the Herrmann company for inspection.
• Adjust control parameters.
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Chapter 2 / Sonotrode Assembly
Troubleshooting
Possible Causes
• Short-circuit due to moisture in the converter housing.
• Defective sonotrode was used instead of being replaced.
• The sonotrode stack was allowed to continue to operate in idle despite the development of loud noise.
• Metal contact by the sonotrode created excessive feedback to the converter.
• Insufficient cooling of the converter.
Solution
• Converter must be exchanged and sent to the Herrmann company for inspection.
Caution! Never disassemble the converter housing without professional help.
Solutions
• Tighten the sonotrode, booster and converter according to the instructions (note the torque).
• Use original Herrmann booster bolts.
• Clean dirty contact surfaces and perhaps have them repolished.
• If the contact surfaces are damaged send the affected parts to the Herrmann company.
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Chapter 2 / Sonotrode Assembly
Troubleshooting
Danger! Turn off the controller prior to checking the electrical insulation!
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