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

许多工程和结构部件是由塑料制成的，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，汽车行业尤其如此，在该行业，塑料越来越多地被用于面板、部件和保险杠。我们正在应对的重点挑战是，由于现有修复过程中所需的热量过高，目前几乎不可能修复大多数塑料的裂缝而不进一步损坏它们，这一观点最终导致目标行业采取不幸和不可持续的方法，即“更换而不是修复”。这对环境的影响是巨大的，只需在英国的保险杠上就知道了。我们的研究表明，只修理一个保险杠就可以节省超过31公斤的C02E。这一数字不包括损坏保险杠的处理或降级回收，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。_修复而不是替换_。Pinweld的独特解决方案通过快速而离散地‘移除’几乎所有裂纹的痕迹，保持了这些组件的高价值。这是一种全新的塑料焊接方法，受到了汽车修理工和保险公司的极大热情。在巴斯大学(UOB)进行的早期焊接测试记录了令人鼓舞的结果，强度超过90%。在这种焊接强度下，我们的修复不需要像网格和订书钉这样的支持材料才能有效，这是后来回收过程中的一个环境优点。但故事并没有到此为止。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部门，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)的焊接，并利用机器人创造机会。平焊所做的每一件事都专注于开发这种焊接技术_-所有这些都是为了减少浪费、降低排放，并增加塑料的使用和重复使用，从而能够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.