Innovative trends in laser beam welding of thermoplastics

Laser beam welding of thermoplastics offers innovative solutions to overcome limitations of conventional joining technologies. Laser beam energy is brought contact-less into the joining area. During the joining process no vibration, thermal stress or particle release takes place. Therefore, destruction of mechanical and electronic highly sensitive components, such as microelectronics, can be avoided. The joining energy can be supplied spatially (weld seam width » 100 µm) and timely (on the order of ms) very well defined. Different process strategies lead to flexibility, product adapted irradiation, short process times and high quality weld seams as well as high integration abilities and automation potentials. Not only micro components can be welded in a reproducible way but also macro components while obtaining a hermetic sealing of good optical appearance. However, even laser beam welding of thermoplastics is widely used in industry, there are technological hurdles to be taken to extend industrial applications. Within this paper challenges and innovative trends are presented. New results concerning experimental data and process monitoring of simultaneous welding are shown