Assessment Of Laser Plastic Welding And Counterparts

By Daniel Carter


Polymer fusion is a concept which has been in existent for quite a long time. As needs evolve, so has techniques improved from simple use of friction to laser plastic welding. Currently, heating results from three main sources namely friction, radiation, and actual heating. From these, five techniques of soldering exist. These are ultrasonic, friction, high frequency, radiation-based, as well as, metal plate fusion. Each differs with the other in terms of usage, advantages, and disadvantages. Below sections elaborate each.

The first technology is the radiation based fusion. Radiation bonding is a very popular technology for complicated designs which may require a three-dimensional fusion. Rays are passed on a transmissive layer which lies on the upper conducting part to lower contacts. Heat is generated in that process. Once contact surfaces are molten, clamping is automatic. Briefly, the radiation-based fusion is flexible, allow effective process monitoring and is affordable. In terms of flexibility, three and two-dimensional soldering is possible. Processes are censored through online techniques for better quality. Once acquired, the maintenance cost is affordable.

Radiation joining also has several downfalls. Unlike conventional machines, these are sophisticated hence require an expert to operate. Similarly, it may be selective on types of polymers that can be joined. As said, there has to be a good conductor and absorber. Without an experienced team to handle sorting, fusion may be impossible. Amount of money needed to procure equipment at first is super expensive.

Another kind of technology is ultrasonic soldering. In this technology, heat to melt elastic contact parts is generated through friction. When parts are rubbed together as a result of ultrasonic oscillation, the heat created melts surfaces which are then fused by application of some pressure. One advantage of this method is cost. Purchasing cost is highly affordable. Another advantage is maintenance. The breakdown is minimal which translates to lower maintenance cost.

On the other hand, a huge amount of dust like components is released during oscillation. Additionally, flash emanates in the process of heating. Flash and particles not only affect eyes but also create long term lung illnesses when inhaled. Furthermore, use of this technique limits the number of designs which can be fused as it only supports two-dimensional soldering. Finally, it leaves a considerable width of up to 10 millimeters which greatly affect the quality of bonding.

In other situations, surfaces are heated side by side by a metallic plate. This component is first put in a source of warmth to acquire as much energy as possible. It is then placed between two surfaces that need to be joined. Once melting occurs, it is eliminated and parts are fixed together. Such techniques are cheapest since they only require a heating plate. Also, it will be used to bond simple polymers which must be held.

In high-frequency bonding, an electric field flashing with high bandwidth moves molecules on polar ends in a circular manner. Consequently, heat is generated to melt partner points for easy bonding. Particularly, heat affects joints to be bonded only which reduces the possibility of destruction of other parts.

Friction based soldering utilizes a similar concept as ultrasonic joining. However, parts are rub against each other to produce heat. It is inexpensive and requires little capital for maintenance. Used mainly on polymers that require continuous soldering.




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