What Is A Sonotrode In Ultrasonic Welding?
The ultrasonic welding machine sonotrode, also known as the ultrasonic welding head, is an important part of the ultrasonic welding machine. The design of the ultrasonic welding machine mold will directly determine the welding effect of the workpiece.
Ultrasonic Sonotrode Material
Daily sonotrodes mostly use titanium alloy, aluminum alloy, and steel as raw materials. Now, most of the sonotrodes use high-quality imported 7075 aluminum alloy, which has good mechanical strength, hardness, thermal conductivity, and reasonable price. It is the preferred material for ultrasonic plastic welding machine sonotrodes. Titanium alloy has good performance, but the price is relatively expensive, and secondly, steel is used for sonotrodes with high requirements for strength and wear resistance.
Ultrasonic Sonotrode Structure
Usually, the sonotrode of ultrasonic plastic welding machines is generally divided into two parts: upper and lower sonotrodes. The upper sonotrode is connected to the transducer, and the lower sonotrode is fixed on the base of the ultrasonic plastic welding machine.
The upper sonotrode is used to transmit ultrasonic energy, so the frequency must be the same as that of the ultrasonic generator. The frequency is the same, otherwise, it will damage the sonotrode. The lower sonotrode is mainly used to fix the plastic workpiece, and it can play the effect of fixing the workpiece.
Ultrasonic Sonotrode Frequency
The frequency of the ultrasonic sonotrode is calculated by the manufacturer through professional software analysis according to the material, size, and shape of the workpiece. The frequency of each sonotrode must be tested and matched with the equipment. Usually, the frequency of the ultrasonic plastic welding machine sonotrode is divided into 15kHz, 20kHz, 28kHz, 30kHz, 35kHz, 40kHz, etc. The higher the frequency, the shorter the sonotrode.
Ultrasonic Sonotrode Maintenance
A well-maintained ultrasonic sonotrode has a service life of one-half longer and is not prone to oxidation and cracks. So please be sure to maintain the ultrasonic mold regularly.
Avoid knocking and rasping the upper sonotrode to prevent frequency or vibration changes.
When connecting the transducer and sonotrode , please use standard tool accessories.
If the sonotrode without hardening surface treatment is not used for a long time, please wrap it with the oil cloth to prevent oxidation of aluminum-titanium alloy.
When installing the sonotrode, please apply a thin layer of butter on the bottom (the joint surface of the vibrator) to facilitate the transmission of the ultrasonic sonotrode.
Related Blogs
When is the best time to replace the welding sonotrode?
The ultrasonic welding machine sonotrodes need to be replaced after a period of use. This is to better complete the welding work, improve production efficiency and ensure quality. The sonotrodes need to be replaced in the cases:
- When the welding sonotrode is worn, the resonant frequency of the welding sonotrode will increase. When the frequency change exceeds the working range of the generator, the sonotrode needs to be replaced.
- The metal material itself has a certain fatigue resistance. When the welding sonotrode has been used for a long time or has defects, the welding sonotrode will produce fatigue cracks, and when the cracks extend to a certain length, it will cause a fracture, and it needs to be replaced at this time.
- The welding sonotrode generally has lines. When the lines are worn and cannot meet the friction coefficient requirements, the sonotrode needs to be repaired or replaced.
Advantages and disadvantages of different materials sonotrode
There are three common ultrasonic sonotrode materials: steel alloy, aluminum alloy, and titanium alloy.
1. Steel Alloy Ultrasonic Sonotrode:
Advantages: After production, the hardness is improved after heat treatment, which is the most wear-resistant material among the three.
Disadvantages: The cutting process is difficult, the mold itself generates a lot of heat, and it is easy to cause damage to other parts.
2. Aluminum Alloy Ultrasonic Sonotrode:
Advantages: Due to the low hardness, it is suitable for cutting or engraving processing, the mechanical conductivity is also superior to that of steel alloy molds, and the heat generation is small.
Disadvantages: The problem of the material itself and the matching problem of machine performance will lead to a relatively short service life (partially), low hardness, and poor wear resistance.
3. Titanium Alloy Ultrasonic Sonotrode:
Advantages: Mechanical conductivity, the hardness is higher than that of aluminum alloys, and the wear resistance of steel alloys is higher than that of aluminum alloys.
Disadvantages: the high cost of raw materials and wear resistance is not as good as steel alloys.
English 
Chinese