A vibration welding device having a mechanically coupled multiple vibrator. Within this vibration welding device, the plurality of vibration units are arranged relative to an elongated tool such that the first direction of vibrations of the individual vibration units is oriented approximately transverse to a longitudinal axis of the tool such that, during a vibration welding process, two components are weldable to each other by vibrations different than a longitudinal direction of the components.

A method of bonding materials may comprise defining a bond interface between two materials in a cure zone on a surface of an object and heating the bond interface with sound waves. Heating the bond interface may include applying ultrasonic sound waves to the bond interface.

A method and an apparatus for ultrasonic staking a first part having a fastening portion to a second part having an opening corresponding to the fastening portion. The method comprises aligning the fastening portion of the first part with the corresponding opening in the second part, inserting a head of the fastening portion through the corresponding opening, and causing a horn of an ultrasonic staking stack to contact the head, apply ultrasonic energy oscillating at a frequency between 45 kHz and 75 kHz, and move along an axis of the fastening portion as the head melts to form a stake. The stake can include a melt-form that joins the first part and the second part to each other, and the fastening portion can have a geometry or a size disposed to flapping.

A suture and a suture retainer are positioned relative to body tissue. Ultrasonic vibratory energy is utilized to heat the suture retainer and effect a bonding of portions of the suture retainer to each other and/or to the suture. Portions of the body tissue may be pressed into linear apposition with each other and held in place by cooperation between the suture and the suture retainer. The suture retainer may include one or more portions between which the suture extends. The suture retainer may include sections which have surface areas which are bonded together. If desired, the suture may be wrapped around one of the sections of the suture retainer. The suture retainer may be formed with a recess in which the suture is received. If desired, the suture retainer may be omitted and the sections of the suture bonded to each other.

A method of anchoring a connector in a first object is provided, the connector having a thermoplastic material in a solid state. The method includes providing the first object and the connector, bringing the connector into contact with the first object from a distal side thereof, causing mechanical vibration energy to impinge on the first object from a proximal end face thereof, the proximal end face being opposite the distal side, while the object and the connector are pressed against each other, until a proximally facing end of connector is at least partially flowable forming a flow portion of the thermoplastic material, and causing the flow portion to flow into structures of the first object, and letting the flow portion re-solidify to cause a positive-fit connection between the first object and the connector.

An ultrasonic machine tool comprises a stand that can be attached to a base plate. The machine furthermore has a vibration generator by means of which a working member can be driven, wherein the vibration generator is borne by a slide displaceably guided in the longitudinal direction of the stand. The slide is in turn borne by a linear drive attached to the stand. The vibration generator is located in the alignment of the adjustment path of the linear drive.

A method of anchoring a connector in a heterogeneous first object that includes a first building layer and, distally of the first building layer, an interlining layer. The method includes providing the first object and the connector, which includes thermoplastic material in a solid state; contacting the connector with the first building layer; applying a first mechanical pressing force to the connector until the first building layer is pierced by the connector and a distal portion of the connector reaches into the interlining layer; applying a second mechanical pressing force and mechanical vibration to the connector until a flow portion of the thermoplastic material is flowable and penetrates structures of the first object, and a distally facing abutment face of the head portion abuts against the metal profile in a region next to the opening; and letting the thermoplastic material resolidify to yield a positive-fit connection.

A suture and a suture retainer are positioned relative to body tissue. Ultrasonic vibratory energy is utilized to heat the suture retainer and effect a bonding of portions of the suture retainer to each other and/or to the suture. Portions of the body tissue may be pressed into linear apposition with each other and held in place by cooperation between the suture and the suture retainer. The suture retainer may include one or more portions between which the suture extends. The suture retainer may include sections which have surface areas which are bonded together. If desired, the suture may be wrapped around one of the sections of the suture retainer. The suture retainer may be formed with a recess in which the suture is received. If desired, the suture retainer may be omitted and the sections of the suture bonded to each other.

An ultrasonic welding system and method for joining first and second thermoplastic parts includes least one energy director formed on at least one surface of the first thermoplastic part, with the energy director projecting from the surface of the first thermoplastic part toward an opposed surface of the second thermoplastic part. The distal end portion of the energy director has a curved or flat surface that initially engages the opposed surface of the second thermoplastic part when the first and second parts are brought into engagement with each other. The first and second thermoplastic parts are ultrasonically welded by pressing the parts together while vibrating at least the first part in a direction parallel to the direction of projection of the energy director. The energy director may include a pair of substantially flat side walls joined to opposite ends of the curved or flat end surface.

A control is performed to drive a horn via an ultrasonic wave generator so as to apply ultrasonic energy to a web in one of an outward path and a return path of an anvil and not to apply ultrasonic energy to the web in the other one of the outward path and the return path.