WELDING THERMOPLASTIC STRUCTURES

摘要

Method and apparatus for welding a thermoplastic structure (506,508). The apparatus comprises a base (524) formed of a material that is magnetically opaque to a frequency in a range of 30KHz to 350KHz; a cover (528) formed of the material; and a channel (530) extending between the base and cover. The method comprises: generating a magnetic flux (510) using a plurality of induction coils (410) of a tool (402), wherein the tool comprises a plurality of dies (404,406) creating a die cavity (408) and the plurality of induction coils, wherein sections of the plurality of induction coils are embedded in the plurality of dies; and directing the magnetic flux using a flux director (502) positioned within the die cavity.