Advances in laser beam welding of polymers and automotive prospects

Laser beam welding of thermoplastic polymers is already accepted by industry, such as in automotive and electronic industry. It offers several process technical advantages. Laser beam energy is fed contact-less into the joining area avoiding mechanical stress to the joining partners. The joining energy can be supplied spatially and timely very well defined. Different process strategies are possible leading to flexibility, product adapted irradiation, short process times and high quality weld seams as well as high integration abilities and automation potentials. During the joining process no vibration, no thermal stress, no particle release takes place. Therefore, destruction of mechanically and electronically highly sensitive components can be avoided. The work place pollution is negligible compared to other joining technologies, such as gluing (fume) or ultrasonic welding (noise, pieces of fluff). Not only small parts can be welded in an reproducible way but also macro components while obtaining a hermetic sealing of good optical appearance. Process technical basics, requirements and challenges as well as some industrially realised products as well as an automatic assembly cell are presented, while proofing the capability of a novel joining technology.