AUTUMN 2019
PLASTIC WELDING
Laser welding
system for
plastics
Panasonic expects its new fibre
lasers to revolutionise the welding
of plastic components.
when a new process is
integrated into an existing
line are minimised by the
I-Module. A large field of
operation (200mm x 150mm)
makes it easy to insert various
components. Different clamping
mechanisms allow tension forces
from 400N up to 3000N. A position
measuring system with a resolution of
0.003mm assures precise placing within the
VL-W1.
Panasonic Industry Europe also offers
a surrounding for the VL-W1 series: the
LCP-3000 workstation. This is suitable for
a variety of laser welding applications due
to possible servo-driven X-, Y- and Z-axis
tables or servo-driven rotary indexing tables.
A 360° solution with rotary shaft is also
available. The LCP-3000 workstation is
equipped with a servo-driven cabin safety
door and an internal extraction unit with an
optional filter insert. Panasonic Industry
Europe offers customised clamping units for
every application to provide solutions for
individual demands.
Panasonic Industry Europe
+49 (0)89 45 354 1000
eu.industrial.panasonic.com
Requirements in the plastic industry
are high: While manufacturing
and production processes are
accelerating, products are becoming
ever more complex. All products should
be marked for identification to ensure
product quality and to allow for tracing
in case of consequential damage.
Panasonic Industry laser marking
systems are already established in the
market, for example the MOFPA (Master
Oscillator Fiber Power Amplifier) fibre
laser technology, which has a proven track
record for identification marking of plastic
components. This expertise and years of
experience have been incorporated into
the development of the new VL-W1 laser
welding system.
Fibre laser technology offers what is
currently the most energy-efficient and
cost-effective system for laser processing
of plastic parts, as it can operate with
practically no maintenance.
Competence in laser welding
of plastics
Laser welding of plastics offers decisive
advantages compared to conventional
bonding technology (ultrasonic welding,
gluing, etc.). It is a clean and precise process
in which the plastic components can be
joined without visible welding seams.
Joining by means of laser energy does not
leave any adhesive residue and produces no
wear particles, which can lead to problems
on the finished component later on. The
process energy
required for bonding
can also be introduced selectively and with
only slight pressure on the bonding surface
for laser-welded components in comparison
to other methods. That not only ensures
stress-free joining of components with very
little warping but is also extremely energy
efficient.
The individual process steps can be
monitored and documented completely and
are therefore useful for quality control.
A new integration module was designed
especially for Panasonic Industry’s laser
welding system VL-W1. It corresponds
to the dimensions and features of the
laser welding system, making it easier
for integrators and machine builders to
implement the laser welding process for
plastics into their production lines. The
construction work and the risks that occur
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