Experimental knowledge regarding the fluid dynamical processes in laser transmission welding of thermoplastics and their influences to the resulting welding zone has not been acquired until now. Therefore, investigations concerning the on-line visualisation of the melting pool behaviour are carried out using a system of high-speed microfocusradioscopy. With systematic variation of process parameters, the dynamic melt pool behaviour in the welding zone of the polymeric parts is detected. The evaluation of the flow conditions during laser transmission welding shows clearly the influence of the welding strategy (contour and quasi-simultaneous welding) as well as the effect of laser and material parameters. The results can be used for increasing process speeds and optimising the mechanical properties of the weld. This paper presents, apart from the analysis equipment, results of the dynamic melt pool behaviour during laser transmission welding of thermoplastics

1.
Haferkamp
,
H.
,
von Busse
.,
A.
Goede
,
M.
,
Hustedt
,
M.
 (
2002
)
Pulsed photothermal radiometry for plastic qualification regarding laser beam weldability
, in
Topics on Nondestructive Evaluation (TONE)
, vol.
6
in
IV International Workshop – Advances in Signal Processing for Nondestructive Evaluation of Materials
, p.
171
–
176
.
Google Scholar
 
2.
Haferkamp
,
H.
,
von Busse
,
A.
,
Thürk
,
O.
,
Goede
,
M.
 (
2001
)
Welding of automotive polymeric components using laser radiation
, in
Proceedings of Automotive Transportation Technology Conference and Exhibition (ATTCE
),
Barcelona, Spain
.
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
3.
Haferkamp
,
H.
,
von Busse
,
A.
,
Hustedt
,
M.
,
Regener
,
G.
 (
2003
)
Welding of steering oil reservoirs using a high power diode laser system
, in:
Proceedings of the Second International WLT-Conference on Lasers in Manufacturing 2003
. June, Munich.
WLT
, p.
113
–
118
.
Google Scholar
 
4.
Abed
,
S.
,
Laurens
,
P.
,
Carrétéro
,
C.
,
Deschamps
,
J.R.
,
Duval
,
C.
 (
2003
)
Diode laser welding of polypropylene – investigations of microstructures in the welded seam, First International Symposium on High Power Laser Macroprocessing
, in
Proceedings of SPIE
Vol.
4831
, p.
77
–
81
.
https://doi.org/10.1117/12.497944
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
5.
Haferkamp
,
H.
,
von Busse
,
A.
,
Hustedt
,
M.
,
Fargas
,
M.
,
Bunte
,
J.
 (
2003
) Welding of polymeric components using laser radiation – a new and innovative technology, in
6th Iranian National Welding and Inspection Conference (INWIC)
,
Teheran, Iran
.
Google Scholar
 
6.
Haferkamp
,
H.
,
von Busse
,
A.
,
Fargas
,
M.
,
Bunte
,
J.
 (
2003
)
Visualisation of the Melting Pool Behaviour during Laser Transmission Welding of Polymers
, in
Proceedings of the Second International WLT-Conference on Lasers in Manufacturing
2003,
Munich, Germany
.
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
7.
Bunte
,
J.
,
von Busse
,
A.
,
Cordini
,
P.
 (
2002
)
Outlook on future industrial laser applications
, in
Proceedings 1st International Conference
,
Laser – a strategic tool for the industry
,
Barcelona
.
Google Scholar
 
8.
Kennish
,
Y.C.
,
Shercliff
,
H.R.
 (
2002
)
Heat flow model for laser welding of polymers
, in
Annual Technical Conference (ANTEC), Society of Plastics Engineers
,
San Francisco
.
Google Scholar
 
9.
Grewell
,
D.
,
Benatar
,
A.
, (
2002
)
Modelling heat flow for a moving heat source to describe scan micro-laser welding
, in
60th Annual Technical Conference (ANTEC
),
Society of Plastics Engineers
,
San Francisco
.
Google Scholar
 
10.
Regener
,
G.
,
Spennemann
,
A.
 (
2003
)
Saubere Sache – Laserdurchstrahlschweißen zum Fügen von Fluidbehältern
, in
Plastverarbeiter 54-1
, p.
44
–
46
.
Google Scholar
 
11.
Haferkamp
,
H.
,
von Busse
,
A.
,
Hustedt
,
M.
,
Haberstroh
,
E.
,
Lützeler
,
R.
 (
2002
)
Bestimmung der Laserschweißeignung von Kunststoffen mit einem thermographischen Verfahren
, in
Der Praktiker Schweißtechnik und mehr (DVS)
.
Google Scholar
 
12.
Chen
,
J.-W.
,
Hirt
,
A.
 (
2003
)
Echtes 3-dimensionales Laserbearbeitungsverfahren für Kunststoffverbindungen – Neues Einsatzgebiet in der Automobilindustrie
, in
VDI-Berichte 1810 Optische Technologien in der Kunststofftechnik, Optische Technologien für die Mikrofertigung, in VDI Verlag, Düsseldorf
, p.
87
–
98
.
Google Scholar
 
13.
Potente
,
H.
,
Becker
,
F.
 (
2002
)
A step towards understanding the heating phase of laser transmission welding in polymers
, in
Polymer Engineering and Science
, vol.
42
,
2
.
Google Scholar
Crossref
Search ADS
 
14.
Hierl
,
S.
 (
2002
)
Kompakt und zuverlässig – Fertigungsintegration und Prozesssicherheit beim Laserschweißen
, in
verbindungstechnik, KU Kunststoffe
927
, p.
83
–
85
.
Google Scholar
 
15.
Mattus
,
V.
,
Roos
,
R.
,
Engel
,
J.
 (
2001
)
durchblick beim Durchstrahlen
,
KU Kunststoffe
91
, 10, p.
158
–
163
.
Google Scholar
 
16.
Hänsch
,
D.
,
Jung
,
S.
,
Ebert
,
T.
 (
2002
)
Das Material bestimmt das Ergebnis
, in
Verbindungstechnik, KU Kunststoffe
92
, 12, p.
54
–
56
.
Google Scholar
 
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2004 Laser Institute of America.
2004
Laser Institute of America
You do not currently have access to this content.