Hot staking is a process of joining plastic and resin components by heating a pin to form a larger head that secures the components together. It can also be used to join plastic to metal and eliminate the need for screws and rivets. The process takes only seconds and creates a solid connection between the components.
Hot staking is about the process of connecting different components into a cohesive working unit. The application is very common with product assembly involving plastic and resin parts. The plastic joining strategy that is part of hot laying helps strengthen the overall structure of the product and provides the product with a greater degree of stability.
The basic concept behind hot staking involves joining components to pre-printed interfaces. For example, a plastic pin attached to one component would be inserted into a hole found on the accompanying part. Once the two components are joined, the end of the pin is softened and heated to allow for the formation of a larger head that will hold the pin securely in the hole.
Many components today are made from plastics and resins. In a number of instances, the actual construction of the components is achieved using means such as injection molding. Hot staking follows this process by adding an extra heating element to firmly lock the components in place.
It is important to note that thermal staking can be used in more than just joining two plastic components into a joint. Due to the heat induction qualities employed in hot lay, the process also allows a plastic component to be joined to a metal part. With so many products made with a mix of metal and plastic components, the use of heat staking can also eliminate the need for screws and rivets in some cases.
The actual hot staking process takes only seconds. After the components are joined, the temperature is increased to allow the pin head to soften. At the same time, pressure is applied to create a head on the stud that is larger than the hole that accommodates the stud’s body. The temperature is held for up to five seconds to allow the plastic to soften enough for pressure to create the head, then the joined components are allowed to cool gradually. When the plastic cools, it regains its rigid structure and creates a solid connection between the components.
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