APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR THERMALLY BONDING GROMMETS TO FABRIC

摘要

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for bonding first and second grommet portions (44a, 44b) positioned on opposite sides of a sheet (48) by means of localized heat and pressure applied to the first and second grommet portions. Heat and pressure may be applied by first and second pedestals (14, 20) positioned facing the first and second grommet portions. A registration post (22) may secure to the first pedestal and extend through apertures (46a, 46b, 50) in the grommet portions and sheet. The second pedestal may define an aperture (16) for receiving the registration post. The registration post may be resiliently mounted to the first pedestal and be depressible into the first pedestal. The first and second grommet portions may have a lower melting temperature than the sheet and may bond to one another through an aperture defined by the sheet.