Patent ID: 7807093
Filing Date: 2010-10-05
Classification: B29C,B29K,B29L,F16B

Abstract:
1. Method for arranging a thermoplastic insert unit comprising a body and a flange having a larger cross-section than the body, in a thermoplastic sandwich product having at least one substantially planar section, which sandwich product comprises a layer of a thermoplastic foam core material and at least one covering layer formed from a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic, the method comprising the steps of forming a hole having a cross-section smaller than the flange in the covering layer of the thermoplastic sandwich product, with core material being removed; placing the thermoplastic insert unit in the hole; positioning the thermoplastic insert unit between a horn and an anvil of an ultrasonic apparatus; applying ultrasonic energy and pressure, so that heat is generated between the thermoplastic insert unit and the fiber-reinforced covering layer of the thermoplastic sandwich product; fixing the thermoplastic insert unit through cooling after sufficient heat has been supplied to allow fusion between the underside of the thermoplastic insert unit and the outer surface of the fiber-reinforced covering layer of the thermoplastic sandwich product, in which the covering layer is notched at the position of the hole to be made, a hole is provided in the thermoplastic foam core material and the covering layer is folded into the hole.