HEAT WELDING METHOD AND APPARATUS

摘要

A method is provided for heat welding plastic material. A welding tip is provided and is configured to slidably receive a welding rod and to direct a flow of hot air toward such a welding rod from a hot air source to melt a leading end of the rod as the welding rod is advanced therethrough. Plastic sheets are positioned edgewise adjacent one another to form a seam therebetween. A v-shaped groove is cut into and along the seam, and the sheets are then welded together along the seam by feeding a welding rod through the welding tip while positioning and moving the welding tip adjacent and along the seam as the welding tip directs hot air to heat the welding rod and the sheets along the groove such that the welding rod flows into the groove and welds to respective sheet surfaces defining the groove. Also provided is an insert for making the v-shaped groove.