Development and testing of an electronically controlled preproduction prototype Pinweld plastic repair tool

许多工程和结构部件由塑料制成，而以前它们是由金属甚至木材制成的。这是一个潜在的巨大和多部门的市场，尤其是汽车行业，塑料越来越多地用于面板，部件和保险杠。我们正在解决的主要挑战是，由于现有的修复过程需要过多的热量，目前几乎不可能在不进一步损坏塑料的情况下修复大多数塑料的裂缝，这种观点最终导致目标行业采用不幸和不可持续的“更换而不修复”方法。这对环境的影响很大，仅以英国的保险杠为例。我们的研究表明，修理一个保险杠可以节省超过31公斤的二氧化碳。这一数字不包括损坏保险杠的处置或降级，也不包括更换保险杠的包装、储存和运输。我们的目的是对环境产生积极影响，并帮助其他国家也这样做。_修复而不是更换_。Pinweld的独特解决方案通过快速和离散地“去除”几乎所有裂纹痕迹来保持这些部件的高价值。作为一种全新的塑料焊接方法，它受到了汽车维修商和保险公司的极大欢迎。在巴斯大学（UoB）测试的早期焊缝记录了超过90%强度的令人鼓舞的结果。在这种焊接强度下，我们的修复不需要使用网状物和斯台普斯等支撑材料即可有效进行，这在后续回收过程中具有环保价值。与我们的主要合作伙伴密切合作，这种新的焊接技术可以转移到许多其他领域，帮助减少材料浪费，提供更安全和准确的焊接，特别是管道（水，天然气，石油）和机器人制造机会Pinweld所做的一切都集中在开发这种焊接技术上，最终目标是减少浪费，减少排放，增加塑料的使用和再利用，从而摆脱传统的不可持续的材料使用。

Many engineering and structural components are made of plastic, when previously they would have been made from metals or even wood. A potentially vast and multi-sector marketplace, this is particularly true for the automotive sector, where plastics are increasingly used for panels, components and bumpers. The focused challenge we are addressing is that it is currently virtually impossible to repair cracks in most plastics without damaging them further due to the excessive heat required in existing repair processes, a view which has ultimately led the target industry to pursue the unfortunate and unsustainable methodology of 'replace not repair'.The environmental impact of this is significant, take just bumpers in the UK. Our research shows that repairing just one bumper saves in excess of 31kg C02e. This figure doesn't include disposal or downcycling of the damaged bumper, or the packaging, storage and shipping of a replacement.Our purpose is to make a positive impact on the environment and to help other countries do the same. _Repair rather replace_.Pinweld's unique solution maintains the high value of these components by quickly and discretely 'removing' almost all trace of a crack. A completely novel method of plastic welding, it has been met with great enthusiasm by automotive repairers and insurers alike. Early welds tested at the University of Bath (UoB) recorded encouraging results in excess of 90% strength. At this weld strength, our repairs do not require support materials like meshes and staples in order to be effective, a feature of environmental merit during later recycling.But the story doesn't end there. Working closely with our key partners this new weld technology can be transferred to many other sectors, helping reduce material waste, providing more secure and accurate welds especially for pipes (water, gas, oil) and manufacturing opportunities with roboticsEverything Pinweld does is focused on developing this weld technology_---_ all with the eventual goal of contributing to less waste, lower emissions and increased use and reuse of plastics enabling moving away from traditional unsustainable material usage.