{"id":7433,"date":"2026-05-14T13:24:38","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T17:24:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/libapps.libraries.uc.edu\/thepreservationlab\/?p=7433"},"modified":"2026-05-14T13:26:30","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T17:26:30","slug":"adapted-from-the-food-industry-a-handheld-ultrasonic-welder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/libapps.libraries.uc.edu\/thepreservationlab\/2026\/05\/adapted-from-the-food-industry-a-handheld-ultrasonic-welder","title":{"rendered":"Adapted From the Food Industry: A Handheld Ultrasonic Welder!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Like many tools used in conservation, some of our most useful equipment didn\u2019t begin in the field of conservation. Conservators often adapt tools from other industries for highly specialized preservation work. This ultrasonic welder is one of those examples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Encapsulation?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Adapted<\/figure>
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In conservation, encapsulation is a common preservation method for storing fragile documents or artifacts, such as the dried botanical specimen pictured. The vulnerable item is placed inside a clear sleeve made from polyester film, which supports the object during handling while keeping all of its physical features and information fully visible.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Encapsulation is often confused with lamination, but the two are very different. Lamination uses adhesives or waxes that permanently bond to an object, making it non-archival.\u00a0 The adhesives and waxes often cause discoloration of the object overtime. Encapsulation uses no adhesive at all. Instead, the polyester film is sealed to itself around the perimeter of the item, leaving the object untouched inside. The process is fully reversible and safe for long-term preservation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bill Minter’s Ultrasonic Welder<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At the Preservation Lab, we have the luxury of using a specialized ultrasonic welder designed specifically for conservation work. Unlike commercial welders that can require objects to be fed through a machine, this model has a metal tabletop, magnetic blankets, and a movable electronic arm that glides over the object, holding a document secure in place. The settings can be adjusted for speed and weld intensity, making it ideal for creating custom polyester enclosures for flat paper materials without using a traditional heat weld.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This machine was developed by conservator Bill Minter in the 1970s\u201380s. Existing units are highly sought after by conservation labs, and every time ours needs maintenance, there\u2019s a sense of collective anxiety in the lab. It can still be serviced, but replacement options are limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Metal
Used to create custom polyester sleeves for flat paper items without heat. Unique to the conservation world, this specialized machine was invented by book conservator, Bill Minter.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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\"Metal
Generator with motor\/speed control dial<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Grey
Foot pedal to engage and control direction of weld<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Metal
Shims to place between horn and anvil to control intensity of weld <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Looking for Alternates<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Because these conservation welders are increasingly scarce, conservators have been exploring newer options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. In the comments on a 2022 article about creating a spine-pocket wrapper for books with detached spines<\/a> on the Book and Paper Gathering<\/em> blog, conservators discuss the use of an HDS portable hand-held ultrasonic spot welder<\/a>, produced by by Harry Singh in the UK.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Others have recommended the UltraTek 40KHz Hand-Held Welder<\/a>; however at around $6,000, it remains quite pricey and would require an additional metal base<\/a> to operate on top of.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. A more recent option comes from Museum Services Corporation in the USA, which offers the 1000 Series: MS Handheld Ultrasonic Welder<\/a>.  It\u2019s a unique model that houses all the components in the handle (no metal base needed), is easily portable \u2013 and more affordable at $840!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Museum Services Corporation 1000 Series: MS Handheld Ultrasonic Welder<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    After spotting this device at an Midwest Regional Conservation Guild Annual Meeting in Columbus, IN, our lab jumped on the opportunity to purchase and test it out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It comes with two welding wheels: one flat wheel that creates a solid weld line and a slotted wheel that creates a dotted weld line. They are interchangeable in the handle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    \"Adapted
    MSC Handheld Ultrasonic Welder in new enclosure<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    \"Adapted
    The slotted welding wheel is used in the food industry. It may be worth trying for a more continuous weld (?) but may not be considered as pretty.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Tips For Using the MSC Welder<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    After some trial and error, a few practical observations emerged:<\/p>\n\n\n\n