Gillner, ArnoldArnoldGillner2022-03-082022-03-082000https://publica.fraunhofer.de/handle/publica/304631Thermoplastic material is deformed to form an attachment between at least two components by a head which applies pressure by contact and which supplies the required energy for thermoplastic deformation. The head is a light-transmitting arrangement and is connected to a light source. It has a surface from which light emerges and which is a suitable size so that light energy is deposited on the thermoplastic material to be deformed. USE - Attaching thermoplastic component by rivetting over projections, esp. for small scale components including electronic circuits. ADVANTAGE - Method gives better control over heat application and requires less tooling than conventional method using ultrasonic heads.de608621patent1997-19700518