It plays an important role by preventing ingress of dirt, bacteria and water into seams, which could then affect the integrity of the vinyl flooring. However, welding will only benefit vinyl floorcoverings if carried out properly and within set guidelines which are deemed best practice. A common reason for seam failure is improper workmanship where factors like welder fatigue are evident or even short cuts are taken to complete a job quicker.
A solution to this problem is the MINIFLOOR which is a highly innovative drive unit which converts an existing hand welder into an automatic welding machine. By doing so it increases the performance of the welding project with a higher welding speed and a more consistent weld finish.
Welding floor vinyl
The popularity of vinyl and sheet vinyl flooring has increased significantly over recent years, particularly in residential, commercial and industrial applications. It is durable, versatile and offers a high level of anti-bacterial qualities and water resistance.
It is recommended that all vinyl sheet and tile floorcoverings are welded to ensure the qualities of the vinyl surface are upheld. By sealing the joints this ensures the floorcovering is impermeable, fit for purpose and stands the test of time.
As with any part of a construction process, problems unfortunately arise. Failures in vinyl flooring due to welding are usually as a result of improper workmanship. Welder fatigue is a prime factor in seam failure, as manual welding requires a great deal of mental and physical ability, as the floor welder will be constantly trying to achieve a high level of consistency. Also, because manual welding is slower than automatic welding it has been known for workers to rush or take various shortcuts in their welding task.
As a result, the MINIFLOOR was developed and is an extremely practical drive unit that easily converts an existing hand welder into an automatic welding machine.
MINIFLOOR – saves you money, time and effort
Converting a hand welder into an automatic welding machine using the MINIFLOOR can be achieved in a matter of seconds. Simply fastened into the clamp on the MINIFLOOR drive unit, a hand welding device is then successfully converted into an automatic welding machine.
The MINIFLOOR hot air welder ensures a more consistent weld is achieved throughout the vinyl floor installation, and importantly this is achieved in half the time a manual weld operation is carried out.
It is a very compact, light-weight and durable machine. Weighing only 6.6kg (including the hand welder and nozzles) the MINIFLOOR can be transported and used virtually anywhere, even up high-rise buildings, and means automatic welding is suitable and effective for small projects (where previously automatic welding machines were too big to access and function effectively).
The MINIFLOOR can also be used in extremely compact situations. Due to its compact height the MINIFLOOR seamlessly welds directly from the wall, beneath obstacles with a minimum clearance of 295mm e.g. pre-assembled seat racks on public transportation like trains and buses, and allows for continuous welding around construction pipes and L-skirts.
Developed by Leister - the leading name in plastic welding and process heat applications, the MINIFLOOR is supplied to the UK by Welwyn Tool Group. Welwyn supply the full range of Leister plastic welding and industrial process heat equipment, and offers highly competent technical support by their team of dedicated engineers.