There are quite a few options for welding plastic parts, including ultrasonics, laser, hot plate and radio frequency. Additionally, parts can be mechanically joined via fasteners, snap fits or adhesives. Each of these processes has certain advantages and disadvantages for production, and each requires vastly different part and joint designs.

To the casual observer, large piles of car parts are trash.

Santa’s helpers depend on adhesives, screws and ultrasonic welding.

Plastic squeeze bottles for water or Gatorade are ubiquitous at sporting events around the world. Hundreds of millions of them are produced annually.

Premixed, ready-to-drink, functional beverages are certainly convenient, but that convenience comes with some trade-offs.