Thermode, clamping arrangment therefor, and method of manufacture
AssigneeATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc.
InventorsGerry WOOTTON, Joel Dunlop, Darko Maldini
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A thermode comprising: a shank; a tip; and a transition zone between the shank and the tip, the transition zone configured to provide resistance gradients to improve containment of heat in the tip. The thermode may also include an integrated cooling jet. The shank, tip, transition zone and integrated cooling jet may all be formed from a single workpiece. The thermode may also be formed with a compact mount that is integrated with the shank and that can be combined with a clamping arrangement to provide efficient replacement of the thermode from the clamping arrangement.
Claims19
A thermode comprising:
- a shank;
- a tip;
- and
- a transition zone between the shank and the tip, the transition zone configured to provide resistance gradients to improve containment of heat in the tip.
A clamping arrangement for a thermode comprising:
- a clamp for clamping the thermode, wherein the clamp operates with a single actuator;
- an integrated heating connection for connecting to heating elements of the thermode;
- and
- an integrated cooling connection for connecting to cooling elements of the thermode.
A method for manufacturing a single piece compact thermode comprising:
- machining a first profile into a workpiece;
- machining a second profile into the workpiece and parting off an unfinished thermode having separate halves or terminals and shank;
- bonding the two halves of the terminals and shank together;
- and
- attaching a thermocouple.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.