Swiss engineering company BAK Technology has developed a hot-air welding machine to join shock pad lanes. The machine was developed in close collaboration with Sekisui Alveo.

The new approach does away with adhesive tape and produces a faster, cleaner, and more sustainable fixation method, the companies claim.

Depending on the type of surface, joining the various shock pad lanes can require up to five kilometres of adhesive tape. Welding the lanes directly together with hot air eliminates foreign materials, simplifies the recycling of the turf at the end of its economical lifespan, and reduces on-site waste.

Smart configuration

The device is fitted with two hot-air blowers and is capable of welding over five kilometres in less than one day.

The two hot-air blowers are mounted on a specially designed handheld device that aligns, pulls, and presses adjacent lanes together, producing a strong, homogeneous joint that holds reliably.

“With the new welding method, joining Alveosport lanes is faster, cleaner, and more precise than ever before,” says Thomas Frey, Application Development Manager at Sekisui Alveo. “It’s a real game changer on site,” he adds.