Thermal Assembly vs Ultrasonic Welding in Medical Device Manufacturing
Introduction Medical device manufacturers face unique challenges when selecting plastic assembly methods. Every joining process must balance reliability, cleanliness, scalability, cost effectiveness, and regulatory compliance. Choosing the wrong method can increase scrap, reduce throughput, complicate validation, and introduce risks that affect long-term product performance and regulatory confidence. Two of the most widely considered technologies for […]
Loading and Clamping Parts on a Customized Fixture
This video demonstrates Thermal Press International’s capability to design and manufature customized fixtures engineered to securely locate, support, and protect delicate components during heat staking operations. For applications involving intricate geometries or sensitive parts, proper fixturing is critical to achieving consistent, high-quality results. The customized fixture shown here is designed to precisely position the part […]
Heat Staking an Automotive PCB Assembly 2-Up
This video highlights an H-Series Thermal Press configured for heat staking automotive PCB assemblies in a 2-up configuration, enabling increased throughput while maintaining precise process control. The system incorporates a power shuttle table and custom-engineered tooling to streamline loading, positioning, and cycling. Two PCB assemblies are loaded into the dedicated fixture, where they are securely […]
Heat Staking an Automobile PCB Assembly on a Manual Press
This video showcases a Thermal Press International manual thermal press being used during the process development phase of an automotive PCB heat staking application. The system provides a flexible and cost-effective solution for evaluating feasibility, optimizing process parameters, and refining tooling design before transitioning to production. In this application, the PCB assembly is poisitioned within […]
Choosing Between Pneumatic and Servo Actuators for Thermal Assembly
A Practical Guide from Thermal Press International In precision thermal assembly – whether joining, sealing, or staking thermoplastics – actuator choice influences consistency, performance, and validation capabilities. Pneumatic and servo actuation each offer distinct advantages, depending on material characteristics, regulatory expectations, and production goals. Pneumatic actuators remain the industry standard for most applications, providing constant […]
How Our Customers Use Heat Staking in Regulated Industries
When it comes to manufacturing for regulated industries like medical devices, automotive systems, and electronics, the stakes are high – and so are the standards. Heat staking is a proven and precise method for thermoplastic assembly, and at Thermal Press International (TPI), we specialize in delivering cleanroom-ready heat staking systems tailored for the most demanding […]
Built to Last: Refurbishing Legacy Thermal Press Machines
At Thermal Press International, we take pride in designing and manufacturing thermal assembly machines that stand the test of time. For nearly 50 years, our equipment has supported critical manufacturing processes across industries – from medical and automotive to consumer electronics and aerospace. In many cases, a TPI machine (or machines) has helped produce a […]
Boosting Process Reliability with Post Cooling in Thermal Press Equipment
In high-precision plastic assembly applications, process control and repeatability are everything. One feature that often gets overlooked – but can significantly enhance part quality and cycle consistency – is post cooling. At Thermal Press International, our machines include an optional post cooling feature, designed to improve the consistency and durability of thermoplastic assemblies by introducing […]
Heat Staking a Surgical Device with an Intricate Fixture
This video showcases a Thermal Press International C-Series Thermal Press performing a precision heat staking operation on a delicate surgical device. The application involves heat staking a single plastic post to securely retain a component, requiring careful control of heat, time and pressure to avoid damaging surrrounding features. Due to the intricate geometry and sensitivity […]
5 Easy Design-for-Manufacturability Ideas
When developing new products, considering the entire production lifecycle early on is critical to ensuring a smooth transition to manufacturing. By incorporating manufacturing and assembly considerations into the design phase, you can save both time and money during production. Since the final product price plays a key role in its market viability, optimizing your design […]