A fast, ergonomic, and user-friendly handheld ultrasonic welder has economic and portable advantages when joining thermoplastics. The HSG Handheld Welder from Herrmann Ultrasonics, Schaumburg, Ill, (herrmannultrasonics.com) is aimed at lower volume production runs and the custom assembly of vacuum formed or blow-molded products as well as repair work on large injection-molded parts. The developer says it's a cost-effective approach to applications such as staking, swaging, spot welding, and inserting.

The digital control 1000 system (35 kHz, 1,000 W) includes time, energy, and power control capabilities which minimize inconsistencies inherent in most manual operations. Advanced standard features include programmable amplitude and an RS232 port for data acquisition.