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View Full Version : Can I weld plastic with air assist off?



John Blazy
03-23-2016, 1:59 PM
I could just easily try this, but too lazy.
If I held two pcs of 1/4" acrylic together, maybe for the purpose of joining them at an angle or adding a tab, can they be welded? Maybe draw and program it with a tight zig-zag /saw tooth line 1/16" wide and use low power / high speed, or slow speed low power, do you think it would weld? Might have to physically push the pcs together as it "cuts".

Maybe take it way out of focus?

Kevin Groenke
03-23-2016, 6:12 PM
Hmm, interesting question.

If I were to try this I would likely start with the pieces to be joined off of the focal point of the lens to employ a wider "band of heat" that might melt the plastic rather than cutting or engraving it.

This method works for bending, so maybe... though it's going to be a lot more trouble than solvent welding.


https://youtu.be/arjRtCjI9AQ

Mark Sipes
03-23-2016, 7:29 PM
not worth comments deleted


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Dan Hintz
03-24-2016, 8:53 AM
To get a weld, you'll need to heat the join line to liquidus on both sides... even the "3D origami" stuff only brings it to the melting point, soft enough to be bendable, but not liquid. Doing so without affecting the properties of the material (including clarity) could prove... interesting, and time consuming.