Welding of Energy Management Systems and Air Duct Systems to Headliner 2003-01-2758

This paper reviews the use of vibration welding for joining crash impact pad's and air duct systems to headliner. Increasing government regulation and the evolution of automotive safety are demanding a new innovative welding technology for crash impact pad's as well air duct systems to the headliner. Vibration welding is an approved welding technology to join both similar and dissimilar materials and is used in many automotive applications is an innovative solution for such headliner applications. Driven by customer needs, energy management is an important consideration in protecting the occupants of a vehicle from injury in a crash situation. Air ducts are becoming more and more important to distribute air to the rear passenger. In this case both are placed between the headliner and the roof of the vehicle.

Not only does vibration welding produce major cost savings, which is related to no consumables (no adhesive required), but also improves product quality, which means no smelling (no fogging through adhesive), and also provides higher pull off strength without variance with temperature is important in competition.