A method of reinforcing a support mat includes at least one extruder applying at least a first stream of weld-forming material over at least one seam formed between upper and lower, interconnected, at least partially overlapping, panels on the top of the mat and at least one automated extruder applying at least a second stream of weld-forming material over at least one seam formed between the panels on the bottom of the mat.

An ultrasonic welding system includes a motion control system that is coupled to and that causes controlled movement of an ultrasonic welding stack, in accordance with control inputs that are based on one or more control signals that are received from one or more sensors. The motion control system initiates a welding operation, subsequent to which an initial motion delay occurs until a predetermined condition is satisfied. Subsequently, in response to the predetermined condition being satisfied, the ultrasonic welding stack is caused to move in accordance with a weld profile. Subsequently, in response to an occurrence of a predetermined delay initiating condition, the ultrasonic welding stack is caused to stop motion and to maintain a stationary position. Subsequently, in response to an occurrence of a predetermined delay terminating condition, motion of the ultrasonic welding stack is resumed in accordance with the weld profile.

A vibration welding system and method having an operating vibration frequency of 260 Hz or higher. A pressing action between two workpieces is effected by directly controlling, with a control system and a sensor, the relative positions of the workpieces during some or all of the weld cycle, or by controlling the speed between the workpieces during some phase of the weld cycle and controlling the force between the workpieces during other phases. An external control device can be coupled to a control system, to produce an input signal to adjust the speed of relative motion between the workpieces, the force therebetween, or both speed and force based on the input signal. A positive force can be initially applied between the workpieces, and the weld is started by initiating lateral vibrations while the relative position between the workpieces in the pressing direction is maintained, a control variable is monitored, and the second workpiece is moved relative to the first only after the monitored variable satisfies a condition.

An ultrasonic welding system includes a motion control system that is coupled to and that causes controlled movement of an ultrasonic welding stack, in accordance with control inputs that are based on one or more control signals that are received from one or more sensors. The motion control system initiates a welding operation, subsequent to which an initial motion delay occurs until a predetermined condition is satisfied. Subsequently, in response to the predetermined condition being satisfied, the ultrasonic welding stack is caused to move in accordance with a weld profile. Subsequently, in response to an occurrence of a predetermined delay initiating condition, the ultrasonic welding stack is caused to stop motion and to maintain a stationary position. Subsequently, in response to an occurrence of a predetermined delay terminating condition, motion of the ultrasonic welding stack is resumed in accordance with the weld profile.

An ultrasonic welding system includes a motion control system that is coupled to and that causes controlled movement of an ultrasonic welding stack, in accordance with control inputs that are based on one or more control signals that are received from one or more sensors. The motion control system initiates a welding operation, subsequent to which an initial motion delay occurs until a predetermined condition is satisfied. Subsequently, in response to the predetermined condition being satisfied, the ultrasonic welding stack is caused to move in accordance with a weld profile. Subsequently, in response to an occurrence of a predetermined delay initiating condition, the ultrasonic welding stack is caused to stop motion and to maintain a stationary position. Subsequently, in response to an occurrence of a predetermined delay terminating condition, motion of the ultrasonic welding stack is resumed in accordance with the weld profile.

A form-fill-seal machine 100 has a pull-down belt mechanism 23, a vertical sealing mechanism 2, and a controller 29. The pull-down belt mechanism conveys a cylindrical film Fm. The vertical sealing mechanism applies pressure and ultrasonic oscillation to the cylindrical film which is conveyed by the pull-down belt mechanism, and seals the cylindrical film. The controller controls the pull-down belt mechanism, and the pressure and the amplitude of the ultrasonic oscillation applied to the cylindrical film by the vertical sealing mechanism. The controller applies pressure and ultrasonic oscillation to the cylindrical film immediately before reaching a first point in time when the cylindrical film begins to be conveyed. The controller changes at least one of the pressure and the amplitude of the ultrasonic oscillation applied to the film according to the speed of the film in a time period after reaching the first point in time.

A method and a connecting element for joining two components, at least one of which is made of a fiber-reinforced composite, are proposed.

A device for producing a packaged electrode having an electrode sandwiched between a pair of separators includes: a conveyance unit configured to sequentially overlay the electrode and the pair of separators from a front end side in a conveying direction while conveying the electrode and the pair of separators; a joining unit configured to join lateral edges of the pair of separators together, the lateral edges being positioned in a direction intersecting the conveying direction; and a controller configured to control operations of the conveyance unit and the joining unit. The controller is configured to repeatedly perform joining a plurality of times from the front end side in the conveying direction, each of the joining being performed while moving the joining unit so that a speed of the joining unit relative to a conveyance speed of a workpiece approaches zero.

A method for operating a tubular bag machine having a film web capable of unwinding from a supply reel, a shoulder for forming the web into a film tube, a take-off unit serving to move the tube, a longitudinal sealing device for welding the tube parallel to its transport direction by a longitudinal seam, a sealing device with jaws for producing transverse seams in the tube, a separating element for separating finished tubular bags from the tube, the machine being accelerated in a positive acceleration phase from an initial speed to a target speed when starting or being decelerated in a negative acceleration phase from the target speed to a final speed for stopping, wherein, in the positive acceleration phase and/or in the negative acceleration phase, at least one sealing parameter of the jaws for producing tubular bags changes as a function of the conveying speed of the web.