Method and system for welding thermoplastic panels

A system for welding thermoplastic components along a weld line, comprising:

• a component positioning system that includes a trailing force applicator having a first lateral side trailing force applicator disposed on a first lateral side of the weld line and a second lateral side trailing force applicator disposed on a second lateral side of the weld line;
• and
• a welding subsystem configured to weld the thermoplastic components together at a weld zone, the welding subsystem having a probe;
• wherein the first lateral side trailing force applicator and the second lateral side trailing force applicator are laterally spaced apart from the weld zone, each of the first lateral side trailing force applicator and the second lateral side trailing force applicator including a biasing structure;
• and
• wherein the first lateral side trailing force applicator and the second lateral side trailing force applicator are disposed aft of the weld zone;
• and
• wherein the system is configured so that the first lateral side trailing force applicator, the second lateral side trailing force applicator, and the welding subsystem probe are moved relative to the thermoplastic components during welding, or the thermoplastic components are moved relative to the first lateral side trailing force applicator, the second lateral side trailing force applicator, and the welding subsystem probe,
• wherein at least one of the first lateral side trailing force applicator or the second lateral side trailing force applicator comprises a rotatable belt assembly having a belt configured for contact with the thermoplastic components, and the biasing structure biases the belt assembly into said contact with the thermoplastic components.