Discovering nanoSTAKE for the first time

A few years ago, while spending some time in our Innovation Group, one of our company’s founders (an engineer) asked me to come and take a look at something. Standing in our innovation area, Chip walks me over to a workbench where I see an unassuming setup with a small pneumatic cylinder that holds a pencil-shaped device, only shorter. It’s small with what appears to be undersized wires and a hose coming out of the top. It’s hovering over one of Extol’s plastic test coupons which I’ve staked or riveted using ultrasonic and InfraStake modules hundreds, if not thousands of times before. Nearby there is a start button waiting to be pushed.

Introducing a Breakthrough in Plastic Staking

“Push it,” Chip says.

I do and watch as the prototype eases quietly and quickly through the plastic. It pauses at the bottom and cools rapidly as the plastic reforms to give a strong stake. Just then, less than 3 seconds after the module was clearly hot enough to melt and form plastic, Chip presses his finger on the tip of the module, exactly where it had just melted the plastic. I react, moving to grab his arm in a purely instinctual move. I hesitate, because… of course, he knows what he’s doing. He smiles quietly as if he knew it was coming.

This is the power of nanoSTAKE.

Our team developed the technology further, and as we brought nanoSTAKE to the largest plastics show in North America, we watched while many potential customers and competitors wondered how we were cleanly staking a tricky plastic, like polycarbonate, in a matter of 6-8 seconds with a new technology. This now-patented product is designed to fit neatly into tight-fit places which are common in medical devices, LED lighting, and electronics. Using our proprietary Smart Respond Heating Technology, our closed-loop system can determine the precise position of the final stake and even visually communicate each module’s real-time status to the user.

The Unique Features of nanoSTAKE

What else makes the technology unique? Power...

NanoSTAKE uses very little power, less than 1.5 Amps at 120 VAC. Because the current is so low, the wires are small with easily manageable connections. Despite this low current, the system can stake parts as if it had thermal capacity many times higher than the actual amount. The system is also designed to stake tricky plastics that traditionally stick. Coupled with its self-contained control system, the closed-loop process is set and monitored without having to build your own control system.

The Evolution of nanoSTAKE

Fast-forwarding to today, nanoSTAKE has been a popular plastic staking technology for over five years now. Now patented, nanoSTAKE is highly effective and ready for use. Our team has continued to refine and enhance the technology, making it even more efficient and reliable. With its innovative features and proven track record, nanoSTAKE is revolutionizing the way plastic staking is done.

Get in Touch

Are you ready to experience the power of nanoSTAKE in your application? Fill out the contact form below to get in touch with our team of experts. Discover how this revolutionary technology can elevate your manufacturing process and unlock new possibilities. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to stay ahead of the curve with nanoSTAKE!