High rate ultrasonic sealer
Embodiments herein include a system for joining components. The system can include a rotating base platform, a plurality of receptacles mounted to the base platform, and a rotating sonotrode platform. A plurality of sonotrodes are mounted to the sonotrode platform. Each sonotrode can correspond to a receptacle. Each sonotrode can move in a reciprocating motion between a release position distant from a corresponding receptacle and a compressing position proximal to the corresponding receptacle. The compressing position occurs at a first angular position of the sonotrode platform. Each sonotrode is energized at the compressing position.
1. A system for joining components comprising:
a rotating base platform;
a plurality of receptacles mounted to the base platform;
a rotating sonotrode platform, the sonotrode platform rotating at the same velocity as the base platform; and
a plurality of sonotrodes mounted to the sonotrode platform, each sonotrode corresponding to a receptacle, each sonotrode comprising a displacement sensor to determine a position of each sonotrode relative to each corresponding receptacle;
wherein each sonotrode moves in a reciprocating motion between a release position distant from a corresponding receptacle and a compressing position proximal to the corresponding receptacle, the compressing position occurring at a first angular position of the sonotrode platform; and
wherein each sonotrode is energized at the compressing position.
2. The system of claim 1 , each sonotrode configured to ultrasonically weld a container and a lid together at the compressing position, wherein ultrasonic welding occurs at a rate of 300 containers per minute to 600 containers per minute.
3. The system of claim 1 , each sonotrode comprising a feedback mechanism for determining a welding parameter.
4. The system of claim 1 , the sonotrode platform comprising a slip ring for providing electrical communication between each sonotrode and a power supply.
5. The system of claim 1 , each receptacle comprising a clasp mechanism for receiving a container.
6. The system of claim 1 , each sonotrode configured to vibrate at a frequency of about 20 kHz to about 35 kHz when energized.
7. The system of claim 1 , each receptacle configured to receive a container at a second angular position of the base platform.
8. The system of claim 7 , each receptacle configured to eject a container at a third angular position of the base platform.
9. A system for sealing filled containers comprising:
a plurality of ultrasonic sealing heads mounted on a first movable structure for movement about a closed circuit, the circuit including a sealing path portion;
a plurality of container receptacles mounted on a second movable structure for moving containers along the sealing path portion of the closed circuit;
a lid supply mechanism configured to provide a lid to each container moved by the plurality of container receptacles;
wherein each ultrasonic sealing head moves in a reciprocating motion to ultrasonically weld each container to each lid disposed thereon
wherein the plurality of ultrasonic sealing heads and the plurality of container receptacles move in a straight trajectory along the sealing path portion of the closed circuit.
10. The system of claim 9 , the reciprocating motion comprising each ultrasonic sealing head moving between a release position distant from a corresponding container receptacle and a compressing position proximal to the corresponding container receptacle.
11. The system of claim 9 , the first movable structure comprising a slip ring for providing electrical communication between each ultrasonic sealing head and a power supply.
12. The system of claim 9 , each container receptacle comprising a clasp mechanism for receiving a container.
13. The system of claim 9 , each ultrasonic sealing head comprising a displacement sensor to determine its position relative to a corresponding container receptacle.
14. The system of claim 9 , each container receptacle configured to receive a container at a position along the closed circuit that is outside of the sealing path portion.
15. The system of claim 9 , each container receptacle configured to eject a container at position along the closed circuit that is outside of the sealing path portion.
16. The system of claim 1 wherein each container receptacle comprises of a support surface to interface with a flange of a corresponding container.
17. The system of claim 16 wherein the support surface of each container receptacle is shaped to match with a contact surface of each sonotrode such that two or more materials can be held between the support surface and the contact surface.
18. A system for joining components comprising:
a rotating base platform;
a plurality of receptacles mounted to the base platform;
a rotating sonotrode platform, the sonotrode platform rotating at the same velocity as the base platform;
a plurality of sonotrodes mounted to the sonotrode platform, each sonotrode corresponding to a receptacle, each sonotrode comprising a displacement sensor to determine a position of each sonotrode relative to each corresponding receptacle; and
a control station configured to adjust power and time of exposure of each sonotrode based on input from each corresponding displacement sensor;
wherein each sonotrode moves in a reciprocating motion between a release position distant from a corresponding receptacle and a compressing position proximal to the corresponding receptacle, the compressing position occurring at a first angular position of the sonotrode platform; and
wherein each sonotrode is energized at the compressing position.