Why is using the correct tool for the job important? Results.
Using a tool that is undersized for the job will give you unsatisfactory welding results. There are two factors at play: power and weight. An under-powered tool will have trouble heating the material sufficiently to achieve a good weld. Sometimes a lack of power can be compensated for by decreasing the speed of the machine but often the result is still an incomplete weld. The thicker the fabric the more weight is required to ensure a good weld. Although supplementary weights can be added to machines, adding weight beyond what is recommended by the manufacturer will cause the machine to work harder and break down more often. Another consideration when selecting the correct tool is speed. If your application requires long, straight welds a machine that is capable of greater speeds is an asset. However, if you are welding short lengths, speed may be less important allowing you to purchase a less expensive machine or if you are welding curved seams a slower machine that allows you to fine-tune as you weld may be more suitable. For help selecting the correct tool for your material contact your Technical Sales Representative.
The main difference between a wedge and a hot air welder is the way in which heat is transferred to the material. With a wedge welder, a solid piece of metal—the wedge—is heated electrically and inserted between the two pieces of material. With a hot air welder, air is heated and then delivered between the two pieces of material via a hot air nozzle.
Typically, a hot wedge welder will have two sets of pressure rollers which press the heated material together to ensure a strong weld. Hot air welders typically press the material between a single pressure roller and the work surface. This makes wedge welders better suited for working on soft or moderately uneven surfaces as they weld quality is not dependent on the welding surface.
You’ve selected hot air welding as your joining method, now it’s time to pick which machine is best for the job. Broadly, there are two types of hot air welding tools: automatic and manual. Automatic tools can be further broken down into moving and stationary.
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