Product category:
Laser and electron beam welding
News Release from: Rofin-Baasel UK | Subject: Laser welding of transparent polymers
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 30 September 2005
Laser welding transparent, fluorescent
polymers
Laser welding system manufacturer now provides a system for the most complex applications of this technology - welding of optically transparent or fluorescent polymers.
Laser welding of polymers has established itself as a new and very promising industrial joining technology In cooperation with partner companies BASF (manufacturer of polymers and additives) and Treffert (masterbatcher), Rofin now provides a solution for the most complex applications of this technology: welding of optically transparent or fluorescent polymers
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 30 Apr 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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* Laser welding of transparent polymers - welding of transparent or fluorescent coloured polymers opens up new possibilities for innovative and high class designs in the medical device, electronics and design industry.
Laser welding of polymers uses the 'over-lap geometry' (the laser penetrates the upper polymer layer and is absorbed by the lower).
In optically transparent polymers, a new kind of additive affects the necessary absorption of the laser beam.
Lumogen IR 765 and Lumogen IR 788 by BASF can be processed easily, are non-ionic, halogen and heavy-metal free and non-toxic.
These are all excellent preconditions for applications in the medical device and other such sensitive industries.
* Different methods of laser polymer welding - depending on the design of the components and the joining geometry, different methods of laser welding may be applied.
Contour welding means that either the laser beam is moved across the welding contour or the workpiece is moved under the laser.
Typical motion systems are robots, linear axes, rotary axes for round parts or even scanner mirrors.
The welding is performed locally, as cooling down times are shorter than the complete motion cycle.
Quasi-simultaneous welding means the laser beam is moved rapidly across the workpiece several times.
As motion cycle times are shorter than the cooling down times the entire welding seam is quasi-simultaneously welded.
Due to the high motion speeds required, only scanner mirrors can be used for welding plane components and rotary axes for round components.
Rofin specialists will be available at the Interplas 2005 show on stand 5358-D to discuss any laser welding, or laser marking and engraving requirements you may have. Request a free brochure from Rofin-Baasel UK ...
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