Development of an alternative joining technique for balers

Like many other sectors, agriculture is facing the challenge of finding new solutions for dealing with traditional plastics like polypropylene (PP). In Germany, around 7,800 tons of bale twine made from PP are consumed every year. However, PP will be in limited supply in the future and is a non-biodegradable plastic. One solution is to save material. The objective of this research is the development of an alternative joining technique for balers based on magnetic bicomponent fibers. These bicocomponent fibers can be welded by means of induction. The process for producing the magnetic bicomponent fibers is explained in detail. First results of induction welding on a laboratory scale are also presented. This form of adhesion bonding results in efficiencies of up to 97.6 % and thus much higher than the efficiencies of knotting bale twines (47 to 72 %). Accordingly, material can be saved with this solution approach.