Attachment of thermoplastic plastic component onto supporting part such as vehicle interior panel involves short wave IR heating of component surface and pressing surface onto supporting part

摘要

A plastic component(4) is heated with short wave infra-red (IR) radiation(1) on the surface(6) to be joined to the supporting part(12). The molten surface is then pressed against the supporting part. The maximum wavelength of the radiant heat is not >5microns. Heating is switched off as the plastic component(4) is pressed against the supporting part(12). The joining surface of the supporting part surface is covered by a non-woven fleece layer(13) against which the plastic component is pressed. An independent claim is included for the process equipment which includes an infra-red radiation source(1), a holder(5) for the plastic component(4) and a mechanism for pressing the holder with plastic component against the supporting part.