Laser transmission welding of a container

ABOUT US
Herfurth Laser Technology Ltd. (HLT) was formed in 1999 initially to exploit the commercial potential of laser technology in plastics welding by providing turnkey solutions. Staffed by personnel from the University of Warwick and HLT, the company is backed by 25 years of experience in the plastics welding industry and the research facilities of a leading University with an international reputation for academic and industrial excellence.

WHAT WE DO
Some years ago, transmission laser welding was still in its infancy. Today, however, it is a mature, developed and very capable technology. The advantages of transmission laser welding are thus:

• Highly controllable and reliable energy source
• Non-contact and no motion between components
• Ability to weld low cost, dissimilar and “difficult to weld” materials
• Ability to weld thin films
• Excellent joints – often stronger than parent material
• Very flexible and high efficiency
• No tool contamination
• No limit to component size
• No surface damage or material degradation

Laser transmission welding of a bumper

In their latest projects, HLT’s engineers were able to overcome the limitations encountered when using established joining techniques of plastics such as ultrasonic welding, hot plate welding or adhesives. This is mainly due to commercial availability of high power diode lasers, typically with output powers of up to 1000W and even more if necessary.

Laser transmission welding offers several advantages over the more established plastic joining techniques. Unlike vibration/ ultrasonic welding it is a non-contact process and is less likely to damage sensitive component assemblies, such as those containing electronics. Furthermore, it eliminates the problem of tool contamination and product location and requires little dedicated tooling. The high power capability and the wide beam permit the welding of large areas – there are virtually no limits to the size of the weld. Furthermore, the beam’s controllability and the very precise nature of the beam delivery permit the welding of very delicate parts if required. The results of a bursting pressure test showed that failure of an automotive component, whose two parts were welded together using HLT’s technology, occurred through material and not weld failure. Other advantages include the high speed, the repeatability of the process, the high electrical efficiency (greater than 30%) and the compactness of the laser head (a 250 W device measures only 260x125x125 mm for example and weighs 5 kg), which allows direct mounting on robots, giving a multi-axis capability.

WHAT WE OFFER
HLT offers the full range of services including:

• Consultancy regarding the selection and joint configuration for laser welding.
• Laser welding trials on materials and prototypes.
• Pre-production batch welding.
• Supply and integration of industrial welding lasers for use on new or existing systems.
• Project management of supply and integration of bespoke systems.
• Consultancy and/or implementation of guarding systems to EN60825 and similar standards.
• Training and service support.

For more information contact:
Mr. Richard Icke
Herfurth Laser Technology Ltd
Barclays Venture Centre
University of Warwick Science Park
Sir William Lyons Road
Coventry, England
CV4 7EZ

Tel: +44 (0) 24 7632 3088
Fax: +44 (0) 24 7632 3087
Email: enquiries@herfurth-laser.co.uk
Website: www.herfurth-laser.co.uk

 

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