Welding a part in a recess

摘要

An article is made by providing a thermoplastic body with at least one recess and a thermoplastic part or parts of complementary shape to the recess, heating the part and the recess to their melting points while they are separated and bringing the body and the part together with the application of pressure to bond the part in the recess. The part is made to adhere lightly to the underside of an applicator plate (12, Figure 4) which is mounted on a support 13 above a further support carrying the body. A heater is interposed between the parts to melt the facing surfaces and is then removed and the applicator clamped against the body. Preferably the part has a thickness substantially equal to the depth of the recess so that the part is flush with the surrounding surface after bonding. The method and apparatus may be used for making a bollard with a sign face with components of contrasting colours.