Bonding apparatus and method

A method for bonding a thermoplastic portion of a fluid flow conduit component to an individual and discrete foil having a surface heat weldable to the fluid flow conduit component portion, such method including:

• mounting such a fluid flow conduit component on a first fixture, the fluid flow conduit component including a fluid flow lumen extending therethrough and having an end opening in the thermoplastic portion, the fluid flow conduit component and the first fixture being configured for securing the fluid flow conduit component in a fixed position on the first fixture;
• mounting the foil on a second fixture, the foil and second fixture being configured for securing the foil in a fixed position on the second fixture;
• the first and second fixtures being relatively movable in three directions, a first direction of movement toward and away from one another, a second direction generally lateral to the first direction and a third direction generally lateral to the first and second directions;
• the method further including maintaining the second fixture in a fixed position;
• heating the second fixture to cause conductive heating of the foil;
• and
• moving the first fixture in the first direction between a loading position wherein the fixtures are spaced sufficiently to hold the fluid flow conduit component and foil in an unbonded relationship and a bonding position wherein the fixtures are more closely spaced to hold the fluid flow conduit component and foil in contacting relationship until the thermoplastic portion of the fluid flow conduit component and foil surface bond together sealing the open end of the of the lumen, the movement of the fixtures exerting a compressive force between the fluid flow conduit component and the foil and causing selected compression of the fluid flow conduit component in the bonding position and, after bonding, moving the first fixture toward the loading position while retaining the fluid flow conduit component in a mounted position on the first fixture.