One only has to look at the curves on modern automobiles to see how far technology has advanced to create many of the parts, including the plastics for the front and rear lights. One of the important technologies for this and plastics applications in many other industries such as consumer electronics and medical equipment is laser welding.
In a Medical Device and Diagnostic Industry (MD+DI) article, Emerson’s Priyank Kishor notes:
“There is increasing demand for smaller and more intricate high-quality plastic components for the medical and consumer electronics markets… By offering advanced welding performance and an unrivalled clamp force, the GLX Micro laser welder enables manufacturers to design and efficiently produce the highest quality products.”
This Branson GLX Micro laser welder works by firing:
…laser simultaneously over entire weld line to heat, melt, and bond parts along the entire weld surface in 0.5 to 5 seconds, depending on material and geometric complexity.
The traditional approach of using friction to weld plastics together can leave weld lines due to flash and particulates, as well as bubbles and blistering, and angel hair residual strings. This laser welder produces particulate-free welds for intricate 3D parts, delicate components and embedded electronics and sensors.
The laser weld does not need to be hidden behind opaque masking, which maximizes the transparent area. With no moving parts during joining, welds are more precise, and the strength of the weld is greater.
From a safety perspective, it’s built to global standards for laser and machine safety. The mechanical features, laser diodes, fiber bundles and tools are fully contained in a Class 1 laser-safe enclosure.
Visit the Branson GLX Micro page on Emerson.com for more on the specifications, capabilities and detailed information for your manufacturing application. You can also connect and interact with other laser welding experts in the Welding, Assembly & Cleaning group in the Emerson Exchange 365 community.
