Percussion Welder

Insights

October 3, 2024 · 3 min read · Medical / Aerospace

At Percussion Welder, we’re passionate about tackling the seemingly impossible. From medical devices to robotics and aerospace, if your small component microwelding project has left you at a standstill, we have the solution. Each week, we showcase a real-life challenge submitted by one of our customers, highlighting how our microwelding technology overcomes even the most complex problems.

Have your own challenge? Contact us for a free, 5-minute consultation by phone, email, or Zoom, and we’ll tell you whether your microwelding problem can be solved using the Percussion Welder.

This Week’s Challenge: Copper Magnet Wire to Brass Washer in Aerospace & Defense

This week’s challenge comes from one of our Aerospace and Defense clients in the UK. They reached out to us with a critical problem that, if unresolved, could have stalled their project: How do you weld an extremely thin copper magnet wire to a delicate flat brass washer?

Let’s break it down:

  • The materials: A 0.25-millimeter copper magnet wire (about the thickness of a human hair) needed to be welded to the inside diameter (ID) of a brass washer that was less than ¼ of an inch thick.
  • The issues: The copper wire lacked columnar strength, making traditional welding methods like resistance or laser welding ineffective. On top of that, the weld had to be performed at a 90-degree perpendicular angle—a difficult feat on such tiny components.

After attempting other methods with limited success, the client turned to the Percussion Welder to solve this problem.

Our Solution: Delicate, Precision Welding with the Percussion Welder

The beauty of the Percussion Welder is its ability to handle even the most delicate welding situations. Unlike resistance welding, which requires pressure, or laser welding, which is difficult to direct in tight spaces, the Percussion Welder performs precise, pressure-free microwelds.

Here’s how we tackled this challenge:

  • Minimal Pressure: Since the copper wire had no columnar strength, the welding method needed to exert almost no pressure—an ideal scenario for our technology. The materials only needed to lightly touch to create the weld.
  • Dissimilar Metal Welding: Welding copper to brass can be tricky, but the Percussion Welder makes this a smooth process, ensuring a strong connection despite the difference in material properties.
  • Precision at an Angle: The client needed the weld to be made at a 90-degree angle to the inside edge of the brass washer. The precision of the Percussion Welder allowed us to weld at this challenging angle without compromising the integrity of the joint.

Testing the Solution: Exceeding Client Expectations

Once we identified that this project was a great candidate for our solution, we had the client send us their materials. After conducting 10 test welds, we confirmed that every weld was successful. The next step was to send the welded materials back to the UK for their own testing.

The result? Our Aerospace and Defense client confirmed that the welds not only met but exceeded all their stringent requirements. The strength, precision, and efficiency of the Percussion Welder proved to be the perfect solution to their previously unsolvable problem.

Facing Microwelding Challenges? Let’s Solve Them Together

Are you working with microscopic components or facing welding issues due to the size, strength, or materials involved? Whether your problem involves dissimilar metals, hard-to-reach angles, or delicate materials, the Percussion Welder can provide the solution you need.

We offer a free, 10-minute consultation by phone, email, or Zoom to discuss your specific microwelding challenge. We’ll tell you if the Percussion Welder is right for you, no strings attached.

  • Call: 303-536-7838 (Denver, Colorado, U.S. Mountain Time Zone)
  • Email: Collin@PercussionWelder.com
  • Schedule a Zoom Call: Click here to schedule

We look forward to solving your microwelding challenges—no matter how complex they may seem!

At Percussion Welder, we don’t just solve problems; we create long-lasting solutions for even the most difficult microwelding challenges. Let us help you take your project to the next level.

FAQ

What is percussion welding?

A heat-plus-impact process for joining metals.

An electric arc supplies the heat, then a rapid mechanical movement forces the two materials together, forming a full metallic bond with no filler.

Do I need filler metal, solder or flux?

No. There's no filler, solder or flux, and no electrodes to wear out.

That means cleaner joints, less waste, and no consumables to buy.

How do I know if my materials can be welded?

Start with the Parameter Finder or the weld schedules table.

If your pair isn't listed, tell us your weld challenge. We'll reply with a straight answer about whether percussion welding is a fit, and how.

Still have a question? Tell us your weld challenge and an engineer will reply.

Start here

Share what you're joining and what's going wrong. We'll tell you straight whether percussion welding is a fit.

Prefer to talk? Book a demo or call 303-536-7838

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