Resources

Getting Started with Laser Plastic Welding

Getting Started with Laser Plastic Welding

Register to watch this short but thorough video which will show you how to select and test plastic materials, create test welds, optimize your design, build prototype runs, and plan for mass production. Whether you’re new to laser welding or are already a seasoned veteran, this video will provide you with a clear path to a successful laser plastic welding project.

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New Design Guidelines Version 4.0

New Design Guidelines Version 4.0

This very popular document has just been updated to version 4.0, and is now available. The Laser Plastic Welding Design Guidelines is a powerful document for engineers designing applications for laser plastic welding. This improved document covers the main factors affecting a quality weld, material considerations, process types, and much more.

Webinar: “Transparent Laser Plastic Welding”

Webinar: “Transparent Laser Plastic Welding”

“Transparent Laser Plastic Welding – Bonding of clear polymers without additives”

A breakthrough in laser plastic welding technology has opened doors for bonding of transparent polymers. Precision, flexibility and cleanliness already set laser plastic welding apart from other polymer bonding methods, but now the ability to bond clear polymers without special absorbers has expanded the list of potential applications. Find out how this technology will play a big part in the diffusion of laser plastic welding, especially in the mammoth medical device industry.

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Material Compatibility Chart

Material Compatibility Chart

This chart displays the most common, weldable thermoplastics. Each sample of this study was done with the plastic materials in their natural state. Please take note of the color system which indicates weld quality.

For more information on plastics a compatibility please see the Laser Plastic Welding Design Guidelines document or the Design Guidelines webinar.

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Quality Assurance for Laser Polymer Welding Processe

Quality Assurance for Laser Polymer Welding Processe

Quasi-simultaneous Laser Welding

Transmission laser welding of polymers is a well-established industrial joining method, its reliability makes it particularly suitable for applications where very high weld seam quality is specified. A number of quality assurance methods are available when using this technology to safeguard the specifications demand for quality. These quality assurance methods are suitable for implementing a zero-error strategy, under very economically attractive conditions. This three-part series of articles discusses the different approaches.

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Automotive Electronics Components – Vehicle Schematic

An interactive schematic showing laser plastic welded sensor housings and other electronics of a car.

Electronics make up roughly 1/3 of the cost of a car. Securely welded plastic housings ensure those electronics are well protected.

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Hybrid Laser Welding Process

Hybrid Laser Welding Process

In the process of laser plastic welding an infrared laser beam is passed through an upper laser transmissive layer to a lower laser absorbing layer. The energy absorbed at the weld interface is conducted from the lower layer to the upper layer through conduction as the parts are clamped tightly together.

Hybrid laser welding is the same concept, however, in addition to the laser radiation a high-powered halogen lamp assists the laser. The polychromatic radiation from the halogen lamp helps pre-heat and soften both the upper and lower layer. This makes for faster welding, less stress on the part and stronger welds.

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Competing Processes – Adhesive Bonding versus Laser Welding

Competing Processes – Adhesive Bonding versus Laser Welding

The increasing adoption of laser welding is due in no small part to the many technical advantages it offers. With regard to the economic advantages, prejudices still exist on account of higher investment costs for suitable materials. Any comparison with other processes must consider all aspects.

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Black-to-Black Laser Transmission Welding

Black-to-Black Laser Transmission Welding

Laser plastic welding, also known as through transmission welding, is quite simple in its essence (see Basic Process Video). Laser radiation is shot through an upper transmissive plastic part and the energy is absorbed by the lower layer, creating heat at the interface and melting both parts.

However, the process does not always seem so intuitive. For instance when welding colored materials, specifically ones with opaque upper layers. Read the rest of this entry »

Basic Process Video

Basic Process Video

The process of laser plastic welding involves passing laser radiation through an upper transmissive layer to the surface of the lower absorbing layer. The absorbed radiation creates heat and contact between the two joining partners allows for melt and a weld at the interface.

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