Have you ever wondered how some of the products you use are created?
Over many years, people have come up with various methods to develop and produce items we use every day. One such method is laser welding.
Laser beam welding is a technique used to meld metals or thermoplastics, like the KYDEX® 6185 thermoplastic sheet, together by means of electromagnetic radiation.
Sounds like something out of a science fiction movie, right?
In this article, we'll guide you through the basics of laser plastic welding -- what it is, how it works, and where you see it put to work.
A Brief History of Laser Plastic Welding
The process of laser plastic welding dates back to around the 1930s, during WWII in Germany. At that time, there was a shortage of metals and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) could be easily heat-formed. The material welds in much the same way as metal.
Laser plastic welding began in fuel convection ovens but eventually, infrared welding (IR) replaced that method as it was much faster.
Throughout the next several decades, lasers for plastic transformed from fuel convection to IR, to then friction and ultrasonic welding. These latter means of welding are still used today.
How Does Laser Plastic Welding Work?
There are several different types of plastics and welding methods differ between types. Technicians who specialize in lasers for plastic application perform experiments to determine which lasers work best for which plastics. You can check over here to learn more about that.
Laser plastic welding is done through two main techniques: surface heating and transmission heating.
Surface heating is achieved through the expansion of the laser beam using mirrors. A colorant, such as carbon black is used for absorption and heating.
Transmission heating joins plastics together by transmitting laser energy in between two components at their interface. Both surface and transmission heating requires the use of a colorant for absorption. This is a significant step in welding thermoplastics.
The work of welding is constantly evolving, using lasers, robots, and computers. From automotive assembly to laser printing and so much more, advancements in technology continue to open up new avenues for laser plastic welding.
Laser Plastic Welding in the Everyday
You may not even realize how many of the items you use daily were designed and produced by laser technology. Industries such as automotive and medical have been using laser plastic welding for years. Even consumer products, such as electronics, use lasers for plastic.
Laser welding has many advantages over traditional welding methods and forms of assembly, such as adhesive.
The use of lasers has become increasingly popular over the years as a cost-effective method of designing products. It also offers the ability to do detailed welding work, as precision tools are used and a minimal amount of heat is produced.
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