Sonobond Ultrasonics Bonding Equipment is Ideal for Assembling the Woven and Nonwoven Fabrics Used for Agricultural and Landscape Applications
EvoOrganic, a leader in Green Lifestyle Products, is one example of a company that relies on Sonobond units to ultrasonically assemble its garden fabrics.
WEST CHESTER, Pennsylvania-Demand for environmentallyfriendly fabrics for agricultural, landscape, and garden applications continues to grow. Products made from these fabrics can be used as crop covers, turf protection, and frost barriers, as well as for weed control, water conservation, and similar purposes. Sonobond Ultrasonics has the technology to provide a fast, efficient, dependable means of ultrasonically bonding these fabrics during the assembly process. This is accomplished without using thread, glue, or other consumables.
Three Sonobond products-SeamMaster(TM) Modules, SeamMaster(TM) Series Ultrasonic Sewing Machines, and SureWeld(TM) 20 Ultrasonic PlungeBonders(TM)-are especially suited for ultrasonically assembling the woven and nonwoven fabrics used in landscaping and related applications. Sonobond personnel are strongly committed to working with OEMs and assemblers to find customized solutions so that these machines can help speed production, assure maximum end-product reliability, and enhance operation of the assembly process. One company that has benefited from using Sonobond ultrasonic bonding equipment is EvoOrganic, headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky.
Consistent, Dependable Bonding Essential to EvoOrganic
EvoOrganic is a leading "green lifestyle" company. It provides gardeners, commercial growers, vineyards, and landscapers with products that promote economical, environmentally-friendly plant growth and help conserve water. So when EvoOrganic was searching for a fast, costeffective way to assemble its Rainweave(TM) fabric-the basis of its entire line of garden products-it turned to Sonobond Ultrasonics. After carefully assessing EvoOrganic's need for units that could confidently handle both wovens and nonwovens, Sonobond recommended a customized bonding solution using SeamMaster(TM) Modules. Following comprehensive testing, the company ordered twelve of these units and began operation with them in December 2009.
Rick Baker, President and CEO of EvoOrganic, gives excellent marks to both Sonobond's equipment and its customer service. He says, "Our application necessitated critical tolerances and precise controls. We also needed to have confidence that whatever equipment we ordered would be delivered on time." He goes on to praise the effectiveness of Sonobond's ultrasonic equipment, in comparison to sewing machines or Page 3-Sonobond Bonding Equipment for Agricultural and Landscape Fabrics other bonding methods, by saying, "I see the dependability and consistency of the bond as the primary advantages of using Sonobond's technology. I've been very pleased with the results. We plan to add at least one machine to our U.S. operation and expect to be using SeamMaster(TM) Modules as we expand production overseas."
SeamMaster(TM) Modules for Production Lines
Sonobond's SeamMaster(TM) Modules provide a cost-effective way for OEMs and assemblers to incorporate seaming, slitting, and trimming capabilities into specialpurpose ultrasonic bonding machines on production lines. These units, which are especially suitable for the textile and apparel industries, provide continuous, problem-free, operation. They seam, trim, and seal without using thread, glue, or other consumables. Ultrasonic bonding is more efficient than sewing, heat sealing, adhesive machines, or stationary sonic operations and everything is accomplished in one pass. Fraying or unraveling of bonded edges and seams is virtually eliminated. Assemblers can choose single, dual, or multi-head arrangements. They can also choose from a variety of easy-to-change stitch and slit pattern wheels.
Materials most suited for the SeamMaster(TM) are either 100 percent synthetic or blends with up to 40 percent natural fibers. These include lycra spandex, tricot, polyester, nylon, acrylics, vinyls, polypropylene, PVC, and thermoplastic urethane that are constructed as wovens, nonwovens, knits, films, laminates, and coatings.
SeamMaster(TM) Machines for Ultrasonic Sewing
Another unit that is ideal for assembling agricultural, landscape, and garden fabrics is Sonobond's SeamMaster(TM) Series. Although similar in appearance to a traditional sewing machine, this ultrasonic bonder seams, trims, and seals without thread, glue, or other consumables. It combines several labor-intensive operations into one to save time and money, making them more cost-effective than other sewing, heat sealing, or adhesive machines. For example, SeamMaster(TM) units perform up to four times faster than conventional sewing machines and ten times faster than adhesive methods. Like SeamMaster(TM) Modules, these units virtually eliminate fraying or unraveling of bonded edges and seams and are best suited for 100 synthetics or blends with up to 40 percent natural fibers. They also feature a wide selection of interchangeable roller patterns for hemming, lacing, embossing, and printing.
PlungeBonder(TM) for Large, Hard-to-Bond Materials
The Sonobond SureWeld(TM) 20 Ultrasonic PlungeBonder(TM) is a versatile and powerful machine. It has the ability to seal different thicknesses and multiple layers of material with just one hit, making it an ideal unit for agricultural, landscape, and garden fabric applications. The machine consists of a rugged welding press and a heavy-duty (1,000- to 3,000-watt) power supply. The unit's high power output at a 20 kHz welding frequency enables it to achieve repeatable performance. A rigid rectangular support column eliminates deflection, even at the full 660 lb. force level. The machine has a built-in leveling feature in the base with "T" slot and toe clamps for fixture holding. So shims are not needed to level the nest. Welding horns and nests or fixtures can be customized to meet customer requirements.
Advantages of Ultrasonic Assembly
Ultrasonic bonding does not use needles, thread, or glue. Instead, woven and nonwoven materials are fused by means of ultrasonic vibrations. As a result, manufacturers and assemblers no longer need to be concerned about stitch holes, glue gaps, or similar issues. In fact, Sonobond's ultrasonic bonding is so reliable that it is capable of satisfying the tough regulatory requirements for sealing the medical disposables designed to help protect doctors, nurses, and other personnel from hazardous fluids.
Over 50 Years of Leadership
For more than half a century, Sonobond Ultrasonics has been a worldwide leader in the development of ultrasonic bonding and welding equipment. During this time, Sonobond has earned an outstanding reputation for its pioneering work and qualityengineered products. Today the company offers a complete line of bonding and welding equipment for customers across a wide spectrum of fields. These include respected names in the apparel, ballistics, filtration, medical, automotive, appliance, electrical, solar, and aerospace industries.
In speaking of the company's proud record of accomplishment, Sonobond Vice President Melissa Alleman says, "We've built our success on a well-established record of innovation, on the quality and performance of our equipment, and on a strong commitment to providing the very best in technical support. Manufacturers and assemblers know they can count on us to work with them to find reliable, cost-effective solutions to their specific bonding and welding requirements."
Additional Information
To learn more about Sonobond products-or for information about the company's free, no-obligation Ultrasonic Bonding Viability Test for specific applications-visit the website at www.SonobondUltrasonics.com or call toll free 1-800-323-1269. Melissa Alleman can be reached directly at MAlleman@SonobondUltrasonics.com. For more information about EvoOrganic and its products for agricultural, landscape, and garden applications, visit www.evoorganic.com or call the company toll free at 1-800-731-6461.
