Welding extrusion profiles 2

[hainz]

The welding of two extrusion profiles in Polystyrene.
What is important: the esthetics, the strength, the welding cycles. The most important is that the welding equipment is mobile (hand-held) so that the profiles can easily be welded on every location.
Do you know which welding equipment is mobile (hand/held) and can be used to weld in this application (joint design is difficult because it are extrusion profiles)?
What are the possibilities ?

Thanks

 

[culigula]

For your application, I would suggest the following techniques, but the weld strength will determine the actual method you employ.

Solvent welding
Ulatrasonic welding

The solvent would be the most mobile and flexable. There are other techniques, but They would be less flexable. I think that even ultrasonic may be too cumbersome for your needs.

 

[griffengm]

Hainz,
The most important features are driven by your end need. If the part is hidden then aesthetics may not be so important as strength especially if access is limited. On the other hand, if the part sets in someone's living room then appearance may be critical.
How heavy is the cross-section of these extrusions? What kind of fit-up is available? How much do you want to invest in training operators? How are you going to verify the quality of the joint? All or any influence your choice of methods.
As to heat welding equipment, Leister is one name that I have used. Harbor Freight also markets an inexpensive set if only for limited use. There is at least one other main mfgr whose name escapes me. Any of these are handheld. They become less portable if your material requires a sheilding gas which equals a tank of some sort.

Griffy