Apparatus and methods for welding flexible material

摘要

A fixture for use with a radio-frequency welding press includes an independent electrode that is not attached to a platen of the press and which is used to register directly on flexible material workpieces to locate and hold workpieces during a welding operation. The invention also includes shuttles that slidably move welding fixtures to respective positions beneath and laterally away from press platens so that welding and workpiece removal and loading operations can be performed simultaneously on fixtures mounted to respective shuttles. Methods and alternate embodiments are disclosed.