Understanding and selecting the right process for plastic part assembly
The key variables in assembly and joining operations continue to evolve rapidly.
Whether you’re choosing an assembly method for a newly developed product or reevaluating the effectiveness of a current assembly method in light of a change in product design, materials, or production mix, the thought process you’re undertaking is important. It’s a thought process that my colleagues and I have participated in with hundreds of individuals and organizations in dozens of industries. And it’s valuable because the key variables in assembly and joining operations—application requirements, customer needs, product designs and geometries, materials, and joining technology capabilities—continue to evolve rapidly in ways that impact the cost, competitiveness, performance, and quality of your operations and your products.
There are three main categories of methods used to join or assemble parts made from plastic components: mechanical, adhesives and welding.