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 […]
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 […]
Unveiling the Advantages of Heat Sealing Films and Plastics
In today’s advanced manufacturing and packaging environments, heat sealing equipment plays a critical role in bonding plastic components with strength, precision, and repeatability. This thermal process – commonly used in medical device manufacturing, industrial plastics assembly, and electronic packaging – uses heat and pressure to create reliable, airtight seals in thermoplastic materials. Whether sealing flexible […]
Heat Sealing a Flex Connector

This video showcases Thermal Press International R&D work involving the precision heat sealing of both an LCD and a printed circuit board (PCB) to a flex circuit connector in a single, controlled process. Heat sealing is an effective solution for bonding delicate electronic components where precise alignment, consistent pressure, and controlled heat are required to […]
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 […]
Post Cooling in Heat Staking: Improving Process Reliability
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 […]