[go: up one dir, main page]

CN101166620A - 激光焊接设备和激光焊接方法 - Google Patents

激光焊接设备和激光焊接方法 Download PDF

Info

Publication number
CN101166620A
CN101166620A CNA2006800144779A CN200680014477A CN101166620A CN 101166620 A CN101166620 A CN 101166620A CN A2006800144779 A CNA2006800144779 A CN A2006800144779A CN 200680014477 A CN200680014477 A CN 200680014477A CN 101166620 A CN101166620 A CN 101166620A
Authority
CN
China
Prior art keywords
laser
laser light
irradiated
cooling
welding
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
CNA2006800144779A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
H·莫里
S·福吉塔
R·科施达
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
EIDP Inc
Original Assignee
EI Du Pont de Nemours and Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by EI Du Pont de Nemours and Co filed Critical EI Du Pont de Nemours and Co
Publication of CN101166620A publication Critical patent/CN101166620A/zh
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
    • B29C65/16—Laser beams
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/003—Protecting areas of the parts to be joined from overheating
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
    • B29C65/16—Laser beams
    • B29C65/1629—Laser beams characterised by the way of heating the interface
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
    • B29C65/16—Laser beams
    • B29C65/1629—Laser beams characterised by the way of heating the interface
    • B29C65/1635—Laser beams characterised by the way of heating the interface at least passing through one of the parts to be joined, i.e. laser transmission welding
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
    • B29C65/16—Laser beams
    • B29C65/1629—Laser beams characterised by the way of heating the interface
    • B29C65/1654—Laser beams characterised by the way of heating the interface scanning at least one of the parts to be joined
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
    • B29C65/16—Laser beams
    • B29C65/1629—Laser beams characterised by the way of heating the interface
    • B29C65/1654—Laser beams characterised by the way of heating the interface scanning at least one of the parts to be joined
    • B29C65/1658—Laser beams characterised by the way of heating the interface scanning at least one of the parts to be joined scanning once, e.g. contour laser welding
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
    • B29C65/16—Laser beams
    • B29C65/1629—Laser beams characterised by the way of heating the interface
    • B29C65/1654—Laser beams characterised by the way of heating the interface scanning at least one of the parts to be joined
    • B29C65/1661—Laser beams characterised by the way of heating the interface scanning at least one of the parts to be joined scanning repeatedly, e.g. quasi-simultaneous laser welding
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/78—Means for handling the parts to be joined, e.g. for making containers or hollow articles, e.g. means for handling sheets, plates, web-like materials, tubular articles, hollow articles or elements to be joined therewith; Means for discharging the joined articles from the joining apparatus
    • B29C65/7841—Holding or clamping means for handling purposes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/001—Joining in special atmospheres
    • B29C66/0012—Joining in special atmospheres characterised by the type of environment
    • B29C66/0014—Gaseous environments
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/001—Joining in special atmospheres
    • B29C66/0012—Joining in special atmospheres characterised by the type of environment
    • B29C66/0014—Gaseous environments
    • B29C66/00141—Protective gases
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/002—Removing toxic gases
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/11—Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/112—Single lapped joints
    • B29C66/1122—Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/12—Joint cross-sections combining only two joint-segments; Tongue and groove joints; Tenon and mortise joints; Stepped joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/128—Stepped joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/1282—Stepped joint cross-sections comprising at least one overlap joint-segment
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/12—Joint cross-sections combining only two joint-segments; Tongue and groove joints; Tenon and mortise joints; Stepped joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/128—Stepped joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/1284—Stepped joint cross-sections comprising at least one butt joint-segment
    • B29C66/12841—Stepped joint cross-sections comprising at least one butt joint-segment comprising at least two butt joint-segments
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/14—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections the joint having the same thickness as the thickness of the parts to be joined
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/349—Cooling the welding zone on the welding spot
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/41—Joining substantially flat articles ; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/41—Joining substantially flat articles ; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles
    • B29C66/43—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/73—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/739—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/7392—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoplastic
    • B29C66/73921—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoplastic characterised by the materials of both parts being thermoplastics
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/812—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the composition, by the structure, by the intensive physical properties or by the optical properties of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8126—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the composition, by the structure, by the intensive physical properties or by the optical properties of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the intensive physical properties or by the optical properties of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/81266—Optical properties, e.g. transparency, reflectivity
    • B29C66/81267—Transparent to electromagnetic radiation, e.g. to visible light
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/82—Pressure application arrangements, e.g. transmission or actuating mechanisms for joining tools or clamps
    • B29C66/826—Pressure application arrangements, e.g. transmission or actuating mechanisms for joining tools or clamps without using a separate pressure application tool, e.g. the own weight of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/8266—Pressure application arrangements, e.g. transmission or actuating mechanisms for joining tools or clamps without using a separate pressure application tool, e.g. the own weight of the parts to be joined using fluid pressure directly acting on the parts to be joined
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/836—Moving relative to and tangentially to the parts to be joined, e.g. transversely to the displacement of the parts to be joined, e.g. using a X-Y table
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C35/00—Heating, cooling or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanising; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C35/02—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould
    • B29C35/08—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation
    • B29C35/0805—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation using electromagnetic radiation
    • B29C2035/0822—Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mould by wave energy or particle radiation using electromagnetic radiation using IR radiation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C35/00—Heating, cooling or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanising; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C35/16—Cooling
    • B29C2035/1658—Cooling using gas
    • B29C2035/1675—Cooling using gas other than air
    • B29C2035/1683—Cooling using gas other than air inert gas
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
    • B29C65/16—Laser beams
    • B29C65/1603—Laser beams characterised by the type of electromagnetic radiation
    • B29C65/1612—Infrared [IR] radiation, e.g. by infrared lasers
    • B29C65/1616—Near infrared radiation [NIR], e.g. by YAG lasers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
    • B29C65/16—Laser beams
    • B29C65/1629—Laser beams characterised by the way of heating the interface
    • B29C65/1635—Laser beams characterised by the way of heating the interface at least passing through one of the parts to be joined, i.e. laser transmission welding
    • B29C65/1638—Laser beams characterised by the way of heating the interface at least passing through one of the parts to be joined, i.e. laser transmission welding focusing the laser beam on the interface
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
    • B29C65/16—Laser beams
    • B29C65/1629—Laser beams characterised by the way of heating the interface
    • B29C65/1674—Laser beams characterised by the way of heating the interface making use of laser diodes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
    • B29C65/16—Laser beams
    • B29C65/1677—Laser beams making use of an absorber or impact modifier
    • B29C65/1683—Laser beams making use of an absorber or impact modifier coated on the article
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
    • B29C65/16—Laser beams
    • B29C65/1687—Laser beams making use of light guides
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/82—Testing the joint
    • B29C65/8207—Testing the joint by mechanical methods
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/82—Testing the joint
    • B29C65/8207—Testing the joint by mechanical methods
    • B29C65/8215—Tensile tests
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/82—Testing the joint
    • B29C65/8253—Testing the joint by the use of waves or particle radiation, e.g. visual examination, scanning electron microscopy, or X-rays
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/71—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/73—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/735—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/7352—Thickness, e.g. very thin
    • B29C66/73521—Thickness, e.g. very thin of different thickness, i.e. the thickness of one of the parts to be joined being different from the thickness of the other part
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/73—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/737—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the state of the material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/7377—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the state of the material of the parts to be joined amorphous, semi-crystalline or crystalline
    • B29C66/73771—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the state of the material of the parts to be joined amorphous, semi-crystalline or crystalline the to-be-joined area of at least one of the parts to be joined being amorphous
    • B29C66/73772—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the state of the material of the parts to be joined amorphous, semi-crystalline or crystalline the to-be-joined area of at least one of the parts to be joined being amorphous the to-be-joined areas of both parts to be joined being amorphous
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/73—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/737—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the state of the material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/7377—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the state of the material of the parts to be joined amorphous, semi-crystalline or crystalline
    • B29C66/73775—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the state of the material of the parts to be joined amorphous, semi-crystalline or crystalline the to-be-joined area of at least one of the parts to be joined being crystalline
    • B29C66/73776—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the state of the material of the parts to be joined amorphous, semi-crystalline or crystalline the to-be-joined area of at least one of the parts to be joined being crystalline the to-be-joined areas of both parts to be joined being crystalline
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/84—Specific machine types or machines suitable for specific applications
    • B29C66/863—Robotised, e.g. mounted on a robot arm
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/91—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/914—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/9161—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the heat or the thermal flux, i.e. the heat flux
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/91—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/919—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux characterised by specific temperature, heat or thermal flux values or ranges
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/93—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the speed
    • B29C66/934—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the speed by controlling or regulating the speed
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
    • B29C66/93—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the speed
    • B29C66/939—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the speed characterised by specific speed values or ranges
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2023/00—Use of polyalkenes or derivatives thereof as moulding material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2023/00—Use of polyalkenes or derivatives thereof as moulding material
    • B29K2023/04—Polymers of ethylene
    • B29K2023/06—PE, i.e. polyethylene
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2023/00—Use of polyalkenes or derivatives thereof as moulding material
    • B29K2023/10—Polymers of propylene
    • B29K2023/12—PP, i.e. polypropylene
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2025/00—Use of polymers of vinyl-aromatic compounds or derivatives thereof as moulding material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2067/00—Use of polyesters or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2067/00—Use of polyesters or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
    • B29K2067/006—PBT, i.e. polybutylene terephthalate
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2069/00—Use of PC, i.e. polycarbonates or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2077/00—Use of PA, i.e. polyamides, e.g. polyesteramides or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2081/00—Use of polymers having sulfur, with or without nitrogen, oxygen or carbon only, in the main chain, as moulding material
    • B29K2081/04—Polysulfides, e.g. PPS, i.e. polyphenylene sulfide or derivatives thereof
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2101/00—Use of unspecified macromolecular compounds as moulding material
    • B29K2101/12—Thermoplastic materials
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2105/00—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped
    • B29K2105/0005—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped containing compounding ingredients
    • B29K2105/0026—Flame proofing or flame retarding agents
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2105/00—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped
    • B29K2105/06—Condition, form or state of moulded material or of the material to be shaped containing reinforcements, fillers or inserts
    • B29K2105/16—Fillers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2309/00—Use of inorganic materials not provided for in groups B29K2303/00 - B29K2307/00, as reinforcement
    • B29K2309/08—Glass
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2995/00—Properties of moulding materials, reinforcements, fillers, preformed parts or moulds
    • B29K2995/0018—Properties of moulding materials, reinforcements, fillers, preformed parts or moulds having particular optical properties, e.g. fluorescent or phosphorescent
    • B29K2995/0026—Transparent
    • B29K2995/0027—Transparent for light outside the visible spectrum
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2995/00—Properties of moulding materials, reinforcements, fillers, preformed parts or moulds
    • B29K2995/0037—Other properties
    • B29K2995/0039—Amorphous
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
    • B29K2995/00—Properties of moulding materials, reinforcements, fillers, preformed parts or moulds
    • B29K2995/0037—Other properties
    • B29K2995/0041—Crystalline

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
  • Laser Beam Processing (AREA)

Abstract

一种激光焊接方法和设备，其尤其适于激光焊接对激光焊接所使用波长具有低透射率的聚合物制品。给正在焊接的制品提供了设计成在焊接期间防止受辐照表面降解的保护区域。

Description

激光焊接设备和激光焊接方法
发明领域
本发明涉及激光焊接设备和激光焊接方法。本发明具体涉及可适用于具有低激光透射率的材料的激光焊接设备和激光焊接方法。
发明背景
通常希望生产可以机械装配成更为复杂的零件的模塑零件。传统地，塑料零件通过机械手段进行装配例如通过胶合、螺栓或者螺纹将它们连接在一起或者使用卡扣连接。这些方法具有装配过程中增加了附加复杂步骤的缺点。卡扣连接通常不具有气密性和水密性且要求复杂的设计。较新的技术包括振动焊接、摩擦焊接和超声波焊接，但这些也要求复杂的零件设计和焊接设备。此外，这些过程中的摩擦会产生弄脏零件内部的灰尘。当涉及到电敏部件或电子部件时这会成为特别难题。
激光焊接是一种最近发展起来的技术。这种方法可用于连接两个聚合物体(本文中也称作构件或制品)，两个聚合物体对于用于焊接的激光器波长而言具有不同水平的透射率。一个物体对于激光波长而言至少部分透明，同时第二个物体吸收入射辐射的重要部分。制品相互接触而将激光束导向部分透明物体的表面上使其至少部分穿过物体辐照在第二物体的表面上，导致第二物体表面上的聚合物熔化，从而在两个物体之间相互接触并通过激光束辐照的位置处形成联结。
例如，日本已出版的专利申请号60-214931和专利申请号62-142092公开了通过将激光导向相对透明的合成树脂侧而使得不同的合成树脂连接在一起的技术，其中不同合成树脂中的一种树脂对于激光是相对透明的。
日本已出版的专利申请号2001-71384公开了用于激光焊接树脂构件的方法，其中，不吸收所使用波长激光的第一树脂构件和能吸收所使用波长激光的第二树脂构件彼此接触，而随后产生的装配是通过激光从第一树脂构件侧辐照用以将构件焊接在一起。这种方法的特征在于包含第一树脂的第一树脂构件和包含第二树脂的第二树脂构件，在第一树脂内散布有不吸收所使用波长激光的彩色材料，而在第二树脂内散布有吸收所使用波长激光的彩色材料。这种方法可用来制备具有相同颜色的两个构件焊接在一起的焊接制品。相似的方法在日本已出版专利申请号2000-309694、WO 01/044357和日本已出版专利申请号2003-517075中有所描述。但是，着色剂和其它添加剂的添加会对树脂的机械特性产生不利影响。随之产生的材料会强度不足、耐用性不够和/或具有类似特性。
此外，日本已出版专利申请号2001-105499公开了一种技术，在该技术中，传播所使用波长激光且用作热源的树脂构件和不传播所使用波长激光的树脂构件彼此接触，且在透光树脂构件和非透光树脂构件之间的接触位置处形成联结表面，通过导向透光树脂构件侧上激光的辐照加热并熔化联结表面以便将两构件整体联结在一起。这种方法的特征在于，透光树脂构件的透射率等于或大于26％的波长的激光在联结期间用作热源。该参考文献公开了允许透射率树脂构件传播激光时所降低的能量损失特性、发生在联结表面的充分加热和熔化特性以及确保充足的焊接强度特性。
日本已出版专利申请号53-134881公开了一种技术，在该技术中，待激光焊接的聚合物制品在激光焊接之前预热到小于或等于聚合物熔化温度。
在上文所述的激光焊接方法中，部分透明的制品必须传播用于激光焊接波长光线的至少约25％以上。这限制了可用于该种处理的材料范围。
但是，如果激光焊接有可能用于部分透明的制品材料而该制品材料对于焊接所使用波长的光线具有差的透射率(例如低于25％)，则在使用激光焊接时可使用较宽范围的材料以便形成制品。例如，如果激光焊接可以采用较少透射率的材料，则其将在汽车上具有更多的应用。
因此，希望提供一种设备和方法，借助该种设备和方法，不需要添加添加剂或类似材料便可激光焊接具有低激光透射率的材料。
发明概述
简单而言并且根据本发明的一个方面，提供了一种激光焊接设备，在该激光焊接设备中，包括热塑性聚合物的第一构件和包括热塑性聚合物的第二构件彼此接触，且通过激光在第一构件表面上的辐照，使得激光透过第一构件接触第二构件，以及在该激光焊接设备中，第二构件在激光接触第二构件的位置处能够吸收激光，从而将第一构件和第二构件焊接在一起，所述激光焊接设备的特征在于包括：激光辐照装置；用于将第一构件和第二构件夹持或固定在适当位置的固定装置；以及用于在第一构件上形成保护区域的装置。
依照本发明的另一个方面，提供了一种激光焊接两个构件的方法，在该方法中，包括热塑性聚合物的第一构件接触包括热塑性聚合物的第二构件，且通过激光在第一构件表面上的辐照，使得激光透过第一构件接触第二构件，以及在该方法中，第二构件在激光接触第二构件的位置处能够吸收激光，从而将第一构件和第二构件焊接在一起，以及在该方法中，在通过激光辐照第一构件表面的同时在第一构件上形成保护区域。
附图简要说明
根据下文中的详细说明并结合附图将会更加全面地理解本发明，在附图中：
图1为示出了传统激光焊接方法的示意图；(a)图解说明了激光焊接条件；而(b)图解示出了通过激光辐照进行加热的树脂部分。
图2为示范了传统焊接方法所面临问题的示意图；(a)图解说明了激光焊接条件；而(b)图解示出了通过激光进行加热的树脂部分。
图3为示出了本发明激光焊接设备的框图。
图4为示出了本发明第一实施例激光焊接设备的示意图；(a)图解示出了设备构造；(b)图解示出了激光辐照器；(c)和(d)图解示出了保护区域形成装置。
图5为说明本发明第一实施例激光焊接方法的局部示意图；(a)为俯视图；(b)为截面图。
图6为说明本发明第二实施例激光焊接方法的局部示意图；(a)为俯视图；(b)为截面图；(c)和(d)图解示出了保护装置的特定示例。
图7为描述激光焊接设备和本发明第三实施例的激光焊接方法的局部示意图；(a)为俯视图；(b)为截面图。
图8为描述本发明第四实施例激光焊接设备和激光焊接方法的局部示意图；(a)为俯视图；(b)为截面图。
图9图解示出了本发明示例中用于焊接的树脂构件。
图10图解示出了本发明示例中使用的激光焊接工艺。
尽管本发明将要结合文中的优选实施例进行说明，但应当理解这并不是试图将本发明局限于该实施例。相反地，本发明旨在覆盖可包括在附加权利要求所限定的发明精神和范围内的所有替代、修改及等同物。
发明详细说明
本文中所使用的用语“激光透射率”是指具有用于激光焊接的波长并通过制品传播的入射光线的百分比。当声明制品或构件具有特定的激光透射率时，意思指这是具有用于激光焊接的波长的入射光线百分比，该入射光线通过制品或构件传播透过制品或构件的厚度到达制品或构件将要激光焊接的区域处。
本文中所用的用语“能吸收激光”是指制品吸收用于激光焊接波长的足够的入射光线以便在激光照射其表面的位置处熔化制品。
本发明涉及一种激光焊接设备。该设备为激光焊接设备，其中，激光透射率优选为约25％或更少的第一构件与能吸收激光的第二构件彼此接触以便形成接合，且第一构件和第二构件通过激光对接合处的辐照而焊接在一起，其中，该设备具有激光光源、用于将第一构件和第二构件夹持或固定在适当位置的固定装置以及用于在第一构件表面上或附近形成保护区域的装置。
本发明进一步涉及激光焊接方法。在该方法中，激光透射率为约25％或更少的第一构件和能吸收激光的第二构件彼此接触以便形成接合，且第一构件和第二构件通过激光对接合处的辐照而焊接在一起，其中，在执行激光辐照的同时在第一构件表面上或附近形成保护区域。保护区域可以通过以下装置的使用而产生：用于冷却曝露于激光的第一构件表面的装置；用于除去在曝露于激光的第一构件表面上产生的挥发物的装置；或者用于阻止助燃物质进入曝露于激光的第一构件表面部分或曝露于激光的邻近部分的装置。
本发明的设备和方法不仅使得迄今为止难于实现激光焊接的低激光透射率材料的焊接成为可能，而且也能够应用于传统上采用激光焊接的材料的焊接。
参照图1，其大致描述了激光焊接方法。图1(a)示出了用于多构件激光焊接方法的概图，图1(b)图解示出了激光焊接期间加热构件的区域。在本申请提及的各个附图中，相同构件通过相同标号表示。在焊接设备和过程中使用的构件优选包括热塑性树脂。
通过使用激光焊接设备可以实施激光焊接方法，该激光焊接设备包括诸如图1(a)所示的基座102、激光辐照设备112(激光辐照设备112可以包括激光器、光纤108、激光辐照器110等)、用于将第一树脂构件和第二树脂构件固定在适当位置的固定装置(未示出)、用于控制激光辐照器运行的控制单元等。激光器的激光功率和扫描速度可以由激光辐照设备控制。当使用这种设备时，第一构件104和第二构件106彼此接触且固定到基座102的顶部；通过可以包括光纤108和激光辐照器110的激光辐照装置112从激光器单元(未示出)将来自激光器的光线传送到第一构件104的表面从而通过激光114辐照第一构件。辐照时，激光例如如箭头118所示横跨第一构件104的表面移动。如果第一树脂材料具有足够的激光透射率，则激光透过第一树脂材料，到达由选择成能吸收激光的树脂材料组成的第二构件的表面，并由第二树脂材料吸收。如图1(b)所示。表面区域120熔化，而在基座上彼此接触的第一树脂材料和第二树脂材料如图1(a)所示在接合处116被焊接在一起。
当包括聚合树脂的制品通过激光辐照时，光线中的一些或全部通过包括可存在的聚合物基或添加剂的树脂成分而扩散或被吸收。这会降低制品的激光透射率。已发现，当这种具有低的激光透射率的材料用于激光焊接时(例如在待焊接制品部分的厚度处具有激光透射率小于25％的材料)就会碰到问题，这是因为膨胀/起泡、熔化、点火、燃烧以及其它类似缺陷或会出现在第一树脂材料表面上通过激光辐照的位置处，结果通常不能制造出高质量的产品。本发明涉及激光焊接设备和激光焊接方法，由此不需经历这些伴随问题而使得焊接具有低激光透射率的材料成为可能。
参照图2和图1(b)说明了上文所提及的这些问题的可能根源。图2(a)示出了包括具有低激光透射率的树脂材料的构件202用作第一构件时进行激光焊接所采取的方式。图2(b)图解示出了激光焊接时以及上文所述的图1(b)中加热构件202所采取的方式。在图2(a)中，使用了除包括具有低激光透射率的构件202以外具有与图1(a)所述相同构造的传统的激光焊接设备。在这种情况下，照射激光114在到达构件202和构件106接合处之前便由第一树脂材料202吸收。温度随之在制品202自其表面延伸到构件106的部分204内升高。当温度升得过高时，或会散发出挥发物206。
应当相信包括第一构件的树脂材料的过热可以(I)导致从第一构件散发出挥发性气体206(图2(a))，和(II)导致包括第一构件的树脂材料熔化，尤其是在表面上被辐照的位置处。作为结果，应当相信(i)包括第一构件的树脂材料可膨胀尤其是在表面上被辐照的位置处，这会导致在表面上出现气泡；(ii)包括第一构件的树脂材料可熔化，尤其是在表面上被辐照的位置处；(iii)当具有低燃点的挥发物产生时，它们由于第一构件的高温而点燃；以及(iv)焊接构件因达到高温而点燃，从而导致树脂材料的燃烧。
通常，为了避免这些类型的问题，常常需要使用具有至少为约25％的激光透射率的树脂材料作为第一构件。这些问题的存在，如果不是不可能的话，也会使得难以对激光透射率小于约25％的树脂进行激光焊接。尽管在某些情况下可以使用添加剂以便提高树脂的激光透射率，但这些添加剂的使用会对树脂材料的物理特性造成不利影响，且随后产生的焊接制品会具有强度不足、耐用性不够等。本发明的设备和方法不需要使用包括这些添加剂的第一构件。
在本发明的一个实施例中，本发明所焊接的第一构件包括优选为热塑性树脂的材料，且在构件待进行激光焊接的位置或区域处对于用于焊接的激光波长而言具有25％甚或更小的激光透射率，或优选为12％-25％。适合材料的示例包括结晶热塑性聚酯，例如结晶聚对苯二甲酸乙二酯、聚对苯二酸丁二酯、聚对苯二甲酸丙二醇酯、液晶聚酯、聚苯硫醚、聚酰胺(尤其是在厚制品的情况下)以及其它类似的树脂材料。这些材料也可以包含添加剂，例如阻燃剂、矿物填料以及诸如玻璃纤维增强剂。适合材料也包括那些例如聚苯乙烯、聚乙烯、聚丙烯、聚碳酸酯以及其它那些通过添加诸如阻燃剂、玻璃纤维、无机填料等的添加剂而将其激光透射率降低到25％甚或更小的材料。
本发明也可以用于激光透射率大于25％的材料，但本发明特别有利于透射率属于特定范围内的材料。
在传统激光焊接中所使用的能吸收激光的材料可以用作本发明的第二构件。特定示例包括结晶树脂或无定形树脂，例如聚对苯二甲酸乙二酯、聚对苯二酸丁二酯、聚对苯二甲酸丙二醇酯、聚酰胺、热塑性聚烯烃(如聚乙烯、聚丙烯以及其它类似材料)、聚苯乙烯、聚碳酸酯等。该树脂可以包含吸收用于激光焊接波长光线的物质，例如碳黑、苯胺黑以及其它红外线吸收材料等。第二构件也可以在通过激光焊接将其连接到第一构件的表面处涂敷吸收用作激光焊接波长光线的物质。该种涂料可包括碳黑、苯胺黑以及其它红外线吸收材料等。
在本发明中，第一构件和第二构件只要可以进行激光焊接而对其厚度并无特别限制，但第一构件辐照部分的厚度优选为约10毫米或更小，且或更优选地为约0.5毫米至4毫米。
在本发明的说明中，用语“保护区域”意思指设计成保护第一构件的辐照表面以免过热或上文所述过热引起负面后果的区域。在本发明中，用语“保护装置”和“保护区域形成装置”意思指用于形成保护区域的装置。
在本发明中，保护装置或保护区域形成装置可以直接地施加到保护区域或者间接地施加到与保护区域隔开的区域，从而使得保护区域形成在所需位置。在后一情况下，保护装置或保护区域形成装置远距离工作以便在所需位置处形成保护区域。
适合的保护装置或保护区域形成装置的示例包括：
(A)用于冷却通过激光辐照的第一构件部分及其邻近处的装置。
(B)用于除去形成在通过激光辐照的第一构件及其邻近处的表面部分上的挥发物的装置。
(C)用于有效阻止挥发物或通过激光辐照的第一构件表面部分及其邻近处接触助燃物质(如氧气)的装置。
装置(A)的示例包括(a)喷射装置，该喷射装置将温度为0℃-50℃或优选为10℃-40℃的空气、氮气、氦气或其它类似气体喷射到激光辐照的第一构件表面部分或者辐照时温度升高的其它区域；(b)覆盖及冷却装置，该覆盖及冷却装置通过传播激光并能冷却第一构件的构件覆盖通过激光辐照的第一构件表面部分(在此处，该种覆盖及冷却装置可包括可外部冷却的玻璃覆盖物或聚合物(如聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯)覆盖物)；以及(c)散热装置，该散热装置将高导热构件连接到第一构件上的非激光辐照位置并通过该高导热构件散发余热(该高导热构件若需要也可被冷却)。
装置(B)的示例包括(d)喷射装置，该喷射装置将空气、氮气、氦气、氩气或其它类似气体喷入激光辐照的部分或其邻近处以便除去挥发物。
装置(C)的示例包括(e)燃烧预防装置，其中，由激光辐照的第一构件表面部分或其邻近处覆盖有玻璃、丙烯酸纤维或其它类似激光传播构件，或者覆盖有非助燃气体如氩气、氮气、氦气等。通过该装置，防止了诸如氧气的助燃物质接触挥发物，从而防止了挥发物的燃烧。
保护区域可以由上文所述的装置中的两种或多种形成。
参照图3至图7，现在将更加详细地描述本发明的激光焊接设备和激光焊接方法。
图3为示出了本发明激光焊接设备的示意性框图。本发明的激光焊接设备具有激光辐照装置302、第一构件316、第二构件318、包括用于将第一构件和第二构件夹持或固定在适当位置的固定装置的基座314、用于形成保护区域304的装置306以及用于控制激光辐照装置302或基座314以便如图1所示实施焊接的控制装置312，此处管线308和/或310为用作连接激光焊接设备元件的电缆。通过控制装置意思指在焊接过程中相对第一构件和第二构件移动激光光源或相对激光光源移动第一构件和第二构件的装置。控制装置可以用来控制激光和第一构件以及第二构件相对彼此移动的扫描速度。
继续参照图3，激光辐照装置302包括激光光源、用于辐照构件以便焊接的激光辐照器以及连接激光光源和激光辐照器的光纤。这些结构性元件可以是集成的。本发明中可用的激光光源的示例包括钇铝石榴石激光器(以1064纳米运行)和二极管激光器(包括那些具有在808纳米、940纳米或980纳米的近红外线区域波长的激光器)等。
保护区域形成装置306(图3)使得提供一个或多个从(A)到(C)的保护装置成为可能。喷射装置(a)或(d)的示例为通过送风器等而具有喷射特定气体功用的器件。覆盖及冷却装置(b)的示例为激光传播片、板或能被冷却的类似物。散热装置(c)的示例为由钢或其它高导热材料制成的具有对应于第一构件表面上所需激光辐照路径的开口的板。燃烧预防装置(e)的示例为激光传播片、板或由玻璃、丙烯酸纤维或对所用激光足够透明的其它材料制成的器件，或者为用于喷射惰性气体的器件。
基座314(图3)具有用于固定第一构件和第二构件的焊接部分并同时保持这些构件彼此接触的装置，以及若需要时用于固定保护区域形成装置(或其部分)的装置。固定装置可以设计成固定第一构件、第二构件以及根据保护区域形成装置的类型而设计成固定具有单一固定装置的保护区域形成装置(或其部分)。备选地，通过使用分离器件可以将保护区域形成装置保持在适当位置。
基座314只要具有上文所述的固定装置而并无特别限制。基座314可以是固定基座、XYZ平台等。本文中通过使用用语“固定基座”意思指相对于设备剩余部分不移动的基座。当基座为XYZ平台时，它也可以起到下文所述的控制装置的作用。用于将第一构件和第二构件保持在适当位置的固定装置可以是夹具或者空气压力。
控制装置312可以用于沿着焊接路径移动激光辐照设备302和/或基座314。控制装置也可以用来设定并控制用于焊接的参数。控制装置可以包括工业机器人、XYZ平台(该平台也可以起到基座的作用)、具有可以放置第一构件和第二构件的转动平面(该转动平面也可以起到基座的作用)的基座。也可以使用计算机来控制该控制装置。
本发明的激光焊接方法使用这些器件以便通过将激光导向第一构件316的表面而实施焊接，同时保持第一构件和第二构件固定接触并形成保护区域304。
参照图4和图5，将描述本发明的第一实施例。该实施例使用上文所述的保护装置(a)和/或(d)，其中，通过将温度优选为约0℃至约50℃或更优选为约10℃至约40℃的空气、氮气、氦气或其它类似气体喷射到设备部分，从而在通过激光辐照的第一构件部分或其邻近处附近提供了保护区域。
图4(a)为可以用于本发明的激光焊接设备的示意图，图4(b)示出了激光辐照器的示意图，而图4(c)和图4(d)为保护区域形成装置306的局部示意图。图5(a)和图5(b)图解说明了在形成保护区域的同时根据本发明实施的激光焊接方法。
如图4(a)所示，本发明的激光焊接设备具有激光辐照装置302、用于形成保护区域304的保护区域形成装置306、用于使激光辐照装置扫描移动的臂414以及具有固定装置(用于夹持或固定焊接部分)424的基座314。
激光辐照装置302例如具有激光光源408、用于通过激光辐照焊接部分的激光辐照器412以及用于连接激光光源和激光辐照器的光纤410。图4(a)示出了由多个结构性元件组成的激光辐照器302，而这些元件可以和激光辐照器412集成在一起。
如图4(b)所示，激光辐照器412具有用于将光纤410所引导的激光转换成平行光通量的第一透镜418，以及用于对激光聚焦的第二透镜420。已聚焦的激光114从激光辐照器412中射出并导向到第一构件的表面。本实施例也优选具有将在下文说明的用于夹持保护区域形成装置306的气体喷射器402(图4(c))的夹持器416。当使用具有这种夹持器的激光辐照器时，随着激光的移动有可能在第一构件表面上移动保护区域，从而只要气体喷射器位于激光辐照器附近就有可能在第一构件表面附近的合适位置形成保护区域。夹持器416(图4(c))优选为可调节的以便可以改变设定位置和设定角度，从而使得可以根据射出激光的位置将下文所述的气体喷射器402(图4(c))放置在所需位置。例如，夹持器可以包括具有固定工具或其它能改变气体喷射器角度的类似机构的滑动或叠缩构件，或者由此可以绕着激光辐照器外表面转动气体喷射器的机构。
再次参照图4(a)，在本实施例中保护区域形成装置306具有气体喷射器402、可充填有所需气体的气体供应部404以及用于将气体输送到气体喷射器的输送管线406。
如图4(c)和图4(d)所示，气体喷射器402连接到气体喷射器夹持器416和输送管线406上，且设计成可从矩形喷射端口422喷射出气体。作为示例在图4(c)和图4(d)中示出了气体喷射器402，而喷射零件和喷射端口的形状可以采用多种形式，例如矩形、圆形或其它形状。该形状可以根据待形成的保护区域的类型而选择，而本领域技术人员可以容易地作出该种选择。同样，气体喷射端口422可形成为与输送管线406隔开并连接到输送管线的一端，或者输送管线406的一端可以制造成直接进入气体喷射器402或喷射端口422中。
本实施例的保护区域形成装置为上文所述的装置(a)和/或装置(d)以便散发因激光辐照产生的热或除去挥发物，且所使用气体只要可以实现这些目的便无特别限制。例如若需要时根据受控的优选为0℃至约50℃或更优选为约10℃至约40℃的温度，有可能使用空气、氮气、氩气、氦气或其它类似惰性气体。由于在本实施例中喷射气体，所以保护区域304的构造是不定的。例如，保护区域可以如图4(a)所示具有分层构造，或者可以具有不确定形式的构造。包括气体的保护区域可以通过迫使气体沿平行于第一构件表面的方向经过宽窄喷嘴而形成分层构造。保护区域也可以具有不确定的形式。
臂414可以移动以便使激光辐照器扫描移动。例如工业机器人或诸如臂的其它类似可移动零件可用来移动激光辐照器，而可移动零件的夹持或固定装置可以夹持或固定激光辐照器。只要激光辐照器可拆卸地夹持或固定在适当位置，夹持器或相似器件就可以用作夹持或固定装置。用来移动激光辐照器的器件(具体地，例如工业机器人臂等)被编制程序以便沿着控制装置312(如图3所示)实施焊接的路径实施适当地扫描(扫描程序可以通过对计算机编制程序或通过教授(指导)学习型机器人的方式而产生)。
在本实施例的激光焊接设备中，激光辐照器412可以被扫描或者激光辐照器也可以固定在适当位置，而第一构件和第二构件通过使用XYZ平台或可移动基座相对于激光辐照器移动。在这种情况下，基座被编制程序并控制以便例如通过计算机程序或已被适当指导的学习型机器人而适当地实施扫描。
基座314具有用于固定并夹持第一构件和第二构件并同时保持它们的表面部分彼此接触的装置。基座只要具有固定装置而并无特别限制，但可能的示例包括固定基座、XYZ平台等。固定装置的其它可能示例包括通过夹具或空气压力用于将压力施加到第一构件和第二构件之间接合处的器件。只要第一构件和第二构件可以夹持或固定在适当位置，就可以在任何位置提供固定装置。例如，如图4(a)所示若将矩形部分夹持或固定在适当位置，可以夹持沿直径彼此对立的第一构件和第二构件的角部，或者将第一构件和第二构件的四个角部夹持或固定在适当位置。另外，可以将第一构件和第二构件的数个侧或者两个对立侧夹持或固定在适当位置。
现在参照图5(a)和图5(b)以便说明本发明激光焊接方法的实施例。图5(a)为焊接设备的俯视图，而图5(b)为焊接设备的侧视图。为简化缘故，图5(a)和图5(b)仅示出了激光辐照器412、光纤410、气体喷射器402、用于将气体输送到气体喷射器的输送管线406、第一构件316、第二构件318、用于将第一构件和第二构件固定在适当位置的固定装置424、激光辐照器412的移动方向118、激光114以及焊接部分320。
现在参照公开了本发明实施例的图5(b)，在该实施例中，待焊接的第一构件316和第二构件318通过合适的固定装置424(例如，用于将压力施加到第一构件和第二构件之间接合处并通过夹具或空气压力将第一构件和第二构件固定在适当位置的器件)适当地固定在基座314(如图3所示)上所需位置处。激光辐照器412(其中通过夹持器416夹持气体喷射器402)放置在用于焊接操作的起始点。辐照器通过使用工业机器人臂(控制装置312，如图3所示)进行定位，该工业机器人臂设有关于扫描路径等信息。
继续参照图5(b)，经由保护区域形成装置306(图4所示)的输送管线406从气体喷射器402喷射出特定数量的空气、惰性气体或其它类似气体。喷射出的气体数量优选处于约0.02米/秒至约10.0米/秒之间，或更优选地处于约0.02米/秒至约6.0米/秒之间。当喷射气体时，激光辐照器412通过工业机器人臂(未示出)或本领域技术人员所知的其它方法沿着第一构件表面(例如，顺着箭头118的方向)扫描。扫描速度根据待焊接材料而变化，但是例如对于诸如聚对苯二酸丁二酯(PBT)的聚酯树脂而言可以使用约60厘米/分钟至约600厘米/分钟之间的扫描速度。有用的激光器输出也根据焊接材料而改变，但是例如对于诸如聚对苯二酸丁二酯(PBT)的聚酯树脂而言可以使用约15瓦至约150瓦之间的输出。
通过从气体喷射器402喷射气体502形成了保护区域304，以及冷却了通过激光加热的第一构件316部分和/或除去了挥发物206(例如以图5(b)中箭头504方向扩散)。保护区域优选在通过激光辐照时形成以便确保本发明中保护区域的功用。
图5(a)和图5(b)中说明了线性焊接，但焊接方法并不局限于这种单一选择而是可以根据其它变化而实施。同样地，焊接构件(第一构件和第二构件)并不必须是如图5所示的矩形，而是可以根据它们的应用具有诸如圆形、圆柱形、半圆形或其它规则或不规则形状的各种形状。同样地，这些构件可以具有相同的或不同的厚度，或者形成有台阶。两个构件的台阶部分可以彼此接触，以便它们重叠并可以通过激光辐照接触部分(在工作示例中示出了该种实施例)。
在上文说明中，通过移动激光辐照器412实施扫描，但基座314(图3所示)例如也可以用作XYZ平台根据扫描模式进行操作。
现在参照示出了本发明第二实施例的图6。在该实施例中使用了覆盖及冷却装置(b)，其中保护区域为传播激光并覆盖激光辐照器的构件，且该构件被冷却。
图6(a)和图6(b)为说明可在本实施例中使用的激光焊接设备和激光焊接方法的示意图。图6(a)和图6(b)所示本实施例的激光焊接设备包括覆盖构件608、用于冷却覆盖构件的冷却装置602以及用作保护区域形成装置306(图4)的其它部件。其它的结构性元件参照图4和图5与先前说明的实施例中相同，因此它们的说明(构造、操作条件等)并入到本实施例的说明中。图6示出了激光辐照器412、光纤410、覆盖构件608、冷却装置602、第一构件316、第二构件318、固定装置424(用于固定第一构件和第二构件)、它的移动方向118、激光114(图2)以及焊接部分320。
继续参照图6，覆盖构件覆盖待冷却的第一构件部分且优选为传播激光的材料(例如玻璃、丙烯酸树脂等)。该材料优选具有高导热性。该优选材料为具有用于焊接的激光器所用波长的高透射率和具有高导热性的结晶物质。覆盖构件在保持接触通过激光辐照的第一构件部分的同时通过夹具、空气压力或其它类似的合适夹持方法(未示出)夹持或固定在适当位置。只要可以有效除去通过激光辐照的第一构件部分的余热，覆盖构件的形状就无特别限制。可能的示例包括矩形、圆形或其它类似的板形构件。覆盖构件608也可以设有用于允许来自冷却装置602的冷却介质穿过的机构。具体而言，例如覆盖构件可以是设有通道614的板形构件，通道614如图6(c)所示具有入口610和出口612以便允许冷却介质穿过覆盖构件，或者覆盖构件可以是具有中空部分616的板形构件，中空部分616如图6(d)所示具有入口610和出口612。
冷却装置602可以是能够冷却覆盖构件的任何设备。一个示例是具有使用冷却介质的冷却器件604和向覆盖构件608供给冷却介质的供给管线606的冷却设备。在这种情况下，冷却介质输送到供给管线以便可以有效冷却覆盖构件608。例如，在液体冷却介质时可以提供供给管线以使得介质绕着覆盖构件流通，或者在气体冷却介质时提供供给管线以便寒冷的空气或其它气体可以流进或绕着整个覆盖构件流通。例如，当流通液体或气体冷却介质时，可采用的方法包括那些将用于传送介质的管道放置成接触覆盖构件外表面的方法。当使用寒冷空气时，可采用的方法包括在覆盖构件的纵向上使用具有多个寒冷空气通风孔的管道。另一个可能的选择是如图6(c)和图6(d)所示，使用传播激光并具有设有入口和出口的通道的覆盖构件，或者是使用设有入口和出口的中空覆盖构件，以及使用冷却装置由此冷却介质(气体或液体)沿着从入口到出口的方向通过通道或中空部分流动并流通。另一种可能的方法是使用其中传播激光的覆盖构件提前被同样地冷却的构造，且构件在保持接触通过激光辐照的第一构件部分时被固定在适当位置。冷却介质为空气、液体或其它能够将热从第一构件表面传送开的流体。
现在参照图6(a)和图6(b)说明本发明激光焊接方法的实施例。
在本实施例中，待焊接的第一构件316和第二构件318通过合适的固定装置424固定在基座314(未示出)的适当位置。图6示出了其中第一构件和第二构件的四个角部固定在适当位置的示例。接着，保护区域304形成在通过激光辐照的第一构件部分。在本实施例中，覆盖及冷却装置306的覆盖构件安装在保护区域内。该覆盖构件通过合适的夹持器(例如通过夹具或空气压力对第一构件和第二构件之间接合处施加压力由此将第一构件和第二构件固定在适当位置的装置)(未示出)安装成固定在适当位置并同时保持接触第一构件。上文说明了适于用作覆盖构件608的示例。冷却装置602与覆盖构件608连接。通过上文说明的各种装置可以冷却该覆盖构件。例如，冷却介质经由供给管线606可以从冷却器件604供给到覆盖构件608。然后运行冷却装置以便冷却覆盖构件。焊接时，第一构件表面温度的升高度数作为激光焊接条件(例如激光器功率、扫描速度等)的函数而被调整，因此应当调整冷却介质的流通速度以便防止保护区域温度的升高。例如，应当设定合适的流通速度以便第一构件的表面温度为约100℃或更小，且优选为约60℃或更小。
接着，设定激光辐照器412进行焊接部分的起始点。该点可以使用设有关于扫描路径等信息的机器人臂(图3所示的控制装置312)来设定。接下来随着覆盖构件的冷却，激光辐照器412例如通过使用例如机器人臂(未示出)沿着第一构件表面(例如沿着箭头118的方向)进行扫描，从而实施激光焊接。激光器的输出、扫描速度以及其它参数与第一实施例中所描述的相同。
在本实施例中，具有覆盖构件608的区域用作保护区域304，且由激光加热的第一构件316部分被冷却。保护区域优选形成在执行激光辐照的同时以便确保本实施例中保护区域的功用(装置(a)的功用)。
图6描述了线性焊接，但焊接方法并不局限于该单一选择而是可以根据多种模式进行实施。同样地，焊接构件(第一构件和第二构件)不必须是如图6所示的矩形，而是可以根据它们的应用具有多种形状，例如圆形、圆柱形、半圆形或其它规则的或不规则的形状。同样地，这些构件可以具有相同的或不同的厚度，或者形成有台阶。两个构件的台阶部分可以彼此接触，以便它们重叠并可以通过激光辐照接触部分(在工作示例中示出了该种实施例)。
在上文说明中，通过移动激光辐照器412实施扫描，但基座314(图4(a))例如也可以根据所需焊接模式用作XYZ平台进行操作。同样地，第一构件和第二构件以及覆盖构件固定在隔开的适当位置，但它们也可以通过使用单一固定装置夹持或固定在适当位置。
也应当注意到，本发明的该实施例也具有下文所描述的本发明第四实施例的功用。
通过参考图7说明了本发明的第三实施例。本实施例为对应于上文所述的装置(c)的示例，其中，用于散发余热的散热装置通过将高导热构件联结在第一构件上从而提供了保护区域。在这种情况下，散热装置设计成具有允许激光直接照射在第一构件表面上而无需散热装置阻止的路径。
图7(a)和图7(b)为说明可以在本实施例中使用的激光焊接设备和激光焊接方法的示意图。图7(a)和图7(b)所示本实施例的激光焊接设备使用覆盖构件702作为保护装置306(图4(a))。其它结构性元件参照图4和图5与先前说明的本发明第一实施例中的相同，因此将它们的说明(构造、操作条件等)并入到本实施例的说明中。为简便清楚的目的，图7仅仅示出了激光辐照器412、光纤410、保护装置(覆盖构件702)、基座314、第一构件316、第二构件318、固定装置424(用于固定第一构件、第二构件以及覆盖构件702)、激光辐照器412的移动方向118、激光114以及焊接部分320。
继续参照图7，本发明该实施例的激光焊接设备提供了用于防止因激光辐照而使得第一构件306过热的保护装置306(图3)。该保护装置包括用于散发第一构件316内余热的覆盖构件702。
继续参照图7，覆盖构件702放置在第一构件上、被设计成冷却第一构件并优选由高导热材料(例如诸如铁、钢或铝的金属)制成。覆盖构件通过用于将压力施加到覆盖构件和第一构件之间接合处并通过夹具或空气压力将覆盖构件夹持在适当位置的固定构件或其它类似合适的固定装置而固定在适当位置并同时保持接触第一构件。在图7所示实施例中，示出了其中用于夹持或将第一构件和第二构件都固定在适当位置的固定装置424也用作覆盖构件的固定装置的示例。第一构件316、第二构件318以及覆盖构件702可以固定成以便第一构件和第二构件固定在一起而覆盖构件则隔开固定。固定装置的可能示例为用于沿厚度方向施加压力并通过夹具或空气压力将第一构件和第二构件固定在适当位置的器件。
参照图7(a)和图7(b)将要说明本发明的激光焊接方法实施例。
在本实施例中，待焊接的第一构件316和第二构件318放置在基座314上，而具有沿激光辐照路径的开口704的覆盖构件702放置在第一构件上，如图7(a)所示。覆盖构件702例如可以由钢板或其它具有良好导热性的类似材料制成。在本实施例中，通过合适的固定装置(例如，通过将压力施加到覆盖构件和第一构件之间接合处并通过夹具或空气压力将覆盖构件夹持在适当位置)可以将这些构件固定在适当位置。在固定期间，构件优选夹持成使得覆盖构件牢固地连接到第一构件上以便允许有效地利用热传导。
接着，将激光辐照器412放置在用于焊接的起始点。通过使用设有关于扫描路径等信息的工业机器人臂或本领域技术人员所知的其它方法(控制装置312，未示出)对辐照器定位。接着，例如通过工业机器人臂(未示出)激光辐照器412沿焊接部分320(例如沿箭头118)进行扫描，从而实施激光焊接。激光器的输出、扫描速度以及其它参数与第一实施例中所说明的相同。
在本实施例中，具有覆盖构件702的区域用作保护区域304，且由激光加热的第一构件316部分通过覆盖构件702的热传导而被冷却。保护区域形成在执行激光辐照的同时。
图7描述了线性焊接，但焊接方法并不局限于该单一选择而是可以根据多种模式进行实施。同样地，焊接构件(第一构件和第二构件)不必须是如图7所示的矩形，而是可以根据它们的应用具有多种形状，例如圆形、圆柱形、半圆形或其它规则的或不规则的形状。同样地，这些构件可以具有相同的或不同的厚度，或者形成有台阶。两个构件的台阶部分可以彼此接触，以便它们重叠并可以通过激光辐照接触部分。图9和图10示出了本实施例的示例。
在上文说明中，通过移动激光辐照器412实施扫描，但基座314例如也可以根据所述焊接模式用作XYZ平台进行操作。
本实施例的覆盖构件若需要时(该情况也包括在第三实施例中)可被冷却。第三实施例中所述冷却设备可以用作冷却装置。
参照图8，其说明了本发明激光焊接设备和激光焊接方法的第四实施例。在本发明的该实施例中，通过使用燃烧预防装置(e)提供了保护区域。通过激光辐照的第一构件表面部分及其邻近处范围覆盖有传播激光的构件，避免了诸如氧气的助燃物质同第一构件所释放的挥发物的接触，从而防止了挥发物的燃烧。
图8(a)和图8(b)为说明可以在本发明实施例中使用的激光焊接设备和激光焊接方法的示意图。图8(a)和图8(b)中示出的本发明实施例的激光焊接设备包括作为保护区域形成装置306(图4(a))的阻止构件802。其它结构性元件参照图4和图5与先前说明的第一实施例中的相同，因此将它们的说明(构造、操作条件等)并入到本实施例的说明中。为简便清楚的目的，图8仅仅示出了激光辐照器412、光纤410、作为保护装置的阻止构件802(燃烧预防装置)、固定装置424(用于固定第一构件、第二构件以及阻止构件802)、基座314、第一构件316、激光辐照器的移动方向118、激光114以及焊接部分320。
本实施例的激光焊接设备具有阻止构件802，阻止构件802为具有上文所述装置(e)作用的燃烧预防装置。阻止构件802防止了诸如氧气的助燃物质扩展到因激光辐照产生的热而自第一构件316所释放的挥发物。该阻止构件覆盖激光辐照的第一构件部分，并优选由传播激光的材料(例如玻璃、丙烯酸树脂等)制成。阻止构件通过用于将压力施加到阻止构件和第一构件之间接合处并通过夹具或空气压力将阻止构件夹持在适当位置的固定构件或其它类似合适的固定装置而固定在适当位置并同时保持接触通过激光辐照的第一构件部分。在图8所示实施例中，阻止构件通过用于将第一构件和第二构件固定在适当位置的相同固定装置424而固定在适当位置。
阻止构件的形状只要其可以阻止第一构件上的助燃物质便无特别限制。它可以是图8所示的矩形平坦的板形构件，或者是圆形的板形构件或者具有其它规则的或不规则的形状。阻止构件固定在第一构件上的适当位置以便牢固地与第一构件相连接。该种布置的目的是有效地防止外部的助燃物质同因激光辐照而在第一构件和阻止构件之间产生的挥发物之间的接触。根据另一种方法，保护区域可以形成由氮气、氩气、氦气或不助燃的其它气体。在这种情况下，阻止构件802为气体，而上文所述的本发明第一实施例的方法可以无变化地使用以便形成具有该气体的保护区域。
现在参照图8(a)和图8(b)说明本发明激光焊接方法的实施例。
现在参照图8(b)，在本实施例中，待焊接的第一构件316和第二构件318放置在基座314上，而阻止构件802安装在激光辐照的第一构件的部分上。这些构件通过合适的固定装置(例如，用于沿厚度方向施加压力并通过夹具或空气压力将第一构件和第二构件以及阻止构件固定在适当位置的装置)固定在适当位置。阻止构件通过合适的固定装置可以固定在适当位置并同时保持接触第一构件的顶部。
接着，将激光辐照器412放置在用于焊接路径的起始点。通过使用设有关于扫描路径等信息的工业机器人臂或本领域技术人员所知的其它方法(例如，图3的控制装置312)对辐照器定位。接着，例如通过工业机器人臂(未示出)激光辐照器412沿焊接部分320(例如沿箭头118)进行扫描，从而实施激光焊接。激光器的输出、扫描速度以及其它参数与第一实施例中所说明的相同。
在本实施例中，具有阻止构件802的区域用作保护区域304(图3)，且避免了助燃物质接触辐照时从构件316所释放的挥发物。保护区域为气体，该气体优选在执行激光辐照的同时连续形成以便确保本实施例中保护区域的功用(例如，上文所述的装置(e)的功用)。
图8描述了线性焊接，但焊接方法并不局限于该单一选择而是可以根据多种模式进行实施。同样地，焊接构件(第一构件和第二构件)不必须是如图8所示的那样为矩形，而是可以根据它们的应用具有多种形状，例如圆形、圆柱形、半圆形或其它规则的或不规则的形状。同样地，这些构件可以具有相同的或不同的厚度，或者形成有台阶。两个构件的台阶部分可以彼此接触，以便它们重叠并可以通过激光辐照接触部分(在工作示例中示出了该种实施例)。
在上文的说明中，通过移动激光辐照器412实施扫描，但基座314例如也可以根据扫描模式作为XYZ平台进行操作。第一构件和第二构件以及覆盖构件通过相同固定装置424而固定在适当位置，但也可以使用单个的固定器件。
上文所描述的实施例为装置(A)到装置(C)以及装置(a)到装置(e)的特定示例，但也可以提供这些装置中的多个作为保护区域(保护装置)以便有效防止上文(i)到(iv)中所述问题。例如，第二构件既具有冷却第一构件的效用又具有除去助燃物质的效用。同样地，通过合并第一实施例和第三实施例，有可能既实施了冷却又除去了挥发物。另一可能性是通过将第二实施例的冷却装置合并到第三实施例以便进一步提高冷却效率。又一可能性是通过将第二实施例的冷却装置合并到第四实施例以便形成既具有用以散发余热的冷却效用又具有阻止助燃物质的效用的保护区域。
示例
在下列实施例中，由装置(a)和装置(e)通过将空气喷射进激光辐照的第一构件表面邻近部分而形成保护区域，但该示例不应构成对本发明的限制。
示例1-3以及对比示例1和2
在示例1-3以及对比示例1和2中，应用了聚酯树脂合成物，并且采用了该合成物制成的样本以便实施焊接。
1)聚对苯二酸丁二酯A(PBT-A)
该树脂合成物为将30％重量比(基于合成物的总重量)的玻璃纤维同聚对苯二酸丁二酯混合经熔化制备的玻璃纤维增强型聚对苯二酸丁二酯树脂合成物。
2)聚对苯二酸丁二酯B(PBT-B)
该树脂合成物为将30％重量比的玻璃纤维和0.6％重量比的碳同聚对苯二酸丁二酯混合经熔化制备的玻璃纤维增强型聚对苯二酸丁二酯，其中的重量百分比基于合成物的总重量。
采用这些合成物，如图9所示在板条902的形状和尺寸上具有半搭接部分的测试板条通过使用注塑机以270℃的树脂温度、80℃的塑模温度模塑而成。测试板条长80毫米、宽18毫米、总厚4毫米以及半搭接部分厚为2毫米。两样本的半搭接部分的表面904靠拢且相互重叠以便形成图10(a)所示的第一构件316和第二构件318。通过施加空气压力将两个构件固定在适当位置。采用Rofin-Sinar(德国)制造的二极管激光器(波长：940纳米，焦点直径：3毫米，最大输出：500瓦)实施焊接。如图10(b)、图4、图5以及第一实施例的说明中所描述的那样通过使用具有本发明第一实施例中所述保护区域形成装置的设备实施了焊接。表1示出了激光焊接期间的使用条件(也就是说，所使用的分别由两种PBT树脂制成的测试板条的结合、激光器功率、焊接速率以及保护区域的有无(即是否使用了用于实施冷却和除去挥发性气体的气体喷射设备))。在示例1-3的情况中采用了气体喷射设备。在对比示例1和2情况未采用保护装置。
激光焊接后，通过裸眼观测最终的模塑制品以便确定激光照射表面上的表面缺陷(燃烧和/或烘培)情况。同样地，采用Shimadzu公司制造的拉力测试机以2毫米/分钟的拉伸速度测量焊接模塑制品的剪切拉伸强度(参考表中的“焊接强度”)。表1中示出了结果。在表1中，“NA”表示表面外观或激光器焊接性不可接受。“OK”表示表面外观或激光器焊接性可接受。该试验如表1所示重复三次。
示例4-6
这些示例说明了即使当第一构件具有大于25％的激光透射率也可以使用本发明的方法和设备。自此所使用的树脂合成物和制备的样本如下。
1)聚酰胺A
通过重量百分比为30％的玻璃纤维(基于合成物的总重量)与6％的聚酰胺制备而成的玻璃纤维增强型树脂合成物。
2)聚酰胺B
通过重量百分比为30％的玻璃纤维和0.6％的碳黑(其中的重量百分比基于合成物的总重量)与6％的聚酰胺制备而成的玻璃纤维增强型树脂合成物。
采用这些合成物，如图9所示在板条902的形状和尺寸上具有半搭接部分的测试板条通过使用注塑机以270℃的树脂温度、80℃的塑模温度模塑而成。测试板条长80毫米、宽18毫米、总厚4毫米以及半搭接部分厚为2毫米。测试板条采用与用于示例1-3和对比示例1和2相同的工艺和表2所示条件进行激光焊接。结果如表2所示。自表2可知，焊接成功且焊接强度充分。
因此，即使激光辐照侧的树脂具有大于25％的透射率也可以成功使用本发明的激光焊接设备和焊接方法。
因此根据本发明所提供的激光焊接设备和方法，显然充分满足上文所提到的目的和优点。尽管本发明在此结合特定实施例进行了说明，但明显的是对于本领域技术人员而言许多替代、修改和变更是显然的。因此，包含所有这些替代、修改和变更的尝试都属于附加权利要求的精神和广义范围内。
表1
序号     透光侧 吸收侧材料 保护区域 激光器输出(W)   扫描速度(cm/min) 焊接结果 焊接强度(kgf) 焊接能力 外观
  材料 透射率(％)
示例 1 PBT-A 21 PBT-B 有 100 100   无表面焊接缺陷 168 OK OK
2 PBT-A 21 PBT-B 有 100 100   无表面焊接缺陷 170 OK OK
3 PBT-A 21 PBT-B 有 100 100   无表面焊接缺陷 166 OK OK
对比示例 1 PBT-A 21 PBT-B 无 100 100   透光材料表面燃烧点(2处) 169 OK NA
2 PBT-A 21  PBT-B   无   100     100   透光材料表面烧伤 不可测量 NA NA
表2
示例     透光侧 吸收例材料   保护区域 激光器输出(W) 扫描速度(cm/min) 焊接结果 焊接强度(kgf) 焊接能力 外观
  材料 透射率(％)
4 聚酰胺A 57 聚酰胺B 有 160 400 无表面焊接缺陷 192 OK OK
5 聚酰胺A 57 聚酰胺B 有 180 400 无表面焊接缺陷 206 OK OK
6 聚酰胺A 57 聚酰胺B 有 200 400 无表面焊接缺陷 221 OK OK

Claims (20)

1.一种激光焊接设备，其中，包括热塑性聚合物的第一构件和包括热塑性聚合物的第二构件彼此接触，且通过激光辐照所述第一构件的表面，使得所述激光透过所述第一构件而接触所述第二构件，并且所述第二构件能在所述激光接触所述第二构件的位置处吸收所述激光，从而使所述第一构件和所述第二构件焊接在一起，所述激光焊接设备的特征在于包括：
激光辐照装置；
用于将所述第一构件和所述第二构件夹持或固定在适当位置的固定装置；以及
用于在所述第一构件上形成保护区域的装置。
2.根据权利要求1所述的设备，其特征在于，所述第一构件对于所述激光的波长而言具有约25％或更小的激光透射率。
3.根据权利要求1所述的设备，其特征在于，所述用于形成保护区域的装置是用于冷却在以激光辐照的地方的所述第一构件的所述表面的装置。
4.根据权利要求1所述的设备，其特征在于，所述用于形成保护区域的装置是用于除去从在以激光辐照的地方的所述第一构件的所述表面散发的挥发物的装置。
5.根据权利要求1所述的设备，其特征在于，所述用于形成保护区域的装置是用于阻止助燃物质进入从在以激光辐照的地方的所述第一构件的所述表面的装置。
6.根据权利要求3所述的设备，其特征在于，所述用于冷却在以激光辐照的地方的所述第一构件的所述表面的装置包括用于将温度为约0℃至约50℃的气体喷射到在以激光辐照的地方的所述第一构件的所述表面的喷射装置。
7.根据权利要求3所述的设备，其特征在于，所述用于冷却在以激光辐照的地方的所述第一构件的所述表面的装置包括用于覆盖在以激光辐照的地方的所述第一构件的所述表面的覆盖及冷却装置，所述覆盖及冷却装置具有透射激光的冷却构件。
8.根据权利要求3所述的设备，其特征在于，所述用于冷却在以激光辐照的地方的所述第一构件的所述表面的装置包括散热装置，所述散热装置连接到所述第一构件的不是在以激光辐照的地方的所述表面部分的位置处且从在以激光辐照的地方的所述第一构件的所述表面散热。
9.根据权利要求4所述的设备，其特征在于，所述用于除去形成在在以激光辐照的地方的所述第一构件的所述表面上的挥发物的装置包括用于将气体喷射到在以激光辐照的地方的所述第一构件的所述表面或所述表面附近的喷射装置。
10.根据权利要求1所述的设备，其特征在于，所述热塑性聚合物为聚酯、液晶聚酯或聚苯硫醚。
11.根据权利要求10所述的设备，其特征在于，所述聚酯为聚对苯二甲酸乙二酯、聚对苯二酸丁二酯、聚对苯二甲酸丙二醇酯中的一种或多种。
12.一种激光焊接两个构件的方法，其中，包括热塑性聚合物的第一构件接触包括热塑性树脂的第二构件且通过激光辐照所述第一构件的表面，使得所述激光透过所述第一构件而接触所述第二构件，并且所述第二构件能在所述激光接触所述第二构件的位置处吸收所述激光，从而使所述第一构件和所述第二构件焊接在一起，其中，在通过所述激光辐照所述第一构件的所述表面的同时在所述第一构件上形成保护区域。
13.根据权利要求12所述的方法，其特征在于，所述第一构件对于所述激光的波长而言具有约25％或更小的激光透射率。
14.根据权利要求12所述的方法，其特征在于，所述保护区域通过使用冷却装置冷却在以激光辐照的地方的所述第一构件的所述表面而形成。
15.根据权利要求12所述的方法，其特征在于，所述保护区域通过使用用于除去从所述第一构件的所述表面散发的挥发物的装置而形成。
16.根据权利要求12所述的方法，其特征在于，所述保护区域通过使用阻止助燃物质进入在以激光辐照的地方的所述第一构件的所述表面的阻止装置而形成。
17.根据权利要求14所述的方法，其特征在于，所述冷却装置包括用于将温度为约0℃至约50℃的气体喷射到在以激光辐照的地方的所述第一构件的所述表面的喷射装置。
18.根据权利要求14所述的方法，其特征在于，所述冷却装置包括用于覆盖在以激光辐照的地方的所述第一构件的所述表面的覆盖及冷却装置，所述覆盖及冷却装置具有传播激光的冷却构件。
19.根据权利要求14所述的方法，其特征在于，所述冷却装置包括散热装置，所述散热装置连接到所述第一构件不是在以激光辐照的地方的所述表面部分的位置处且从在以激光辐照的地方的所述第一构件的所述表面散热。
20.根据权利要求15所述的方法，其特征在于，所述用于除去挥发物的装置包括用于将气体喷射到在以激光辐照的地方的所述第一构件的所述表面或所述表面附近的喷射装置。
CNA2006800144779A 2005-03-03 2006-03-03 激光焊接设备和激光焊接方法 Pending CN101166620A (zh)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US65824505P 2005-03-03 2005-03-03
US60/658,245 2005-03-03

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CN101166620A true CN101166620A (zh) 2008-04-23

Family

ID=36579077

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CNA2006800144779A Pending CN101166620A (zh) 2005-03-03 2006-03-03 激光焊接设备和激光焊接方法

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US20060283544A1 (zh)
EP (1) EP1853417A1 (zh)
JP (1) JP2008531355A (zh)
KR (1) KR20070108277A (zh)
CN (1) CN101166620A (zh)
CA (1) CA2599737A1 (zh)
WO (1) WO2006094305A1 (zh)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102672963A (zh) * 2012-02-09 2012-09-19 王耀民 气流压紧透射加工装置
CN102672961A (zh) * 2012-02-09 2012-09-19 王瑛玮 热气流软化、压合透射加工装置
CN104290318A (zh) * 2013-05-02 2015-01-21 约翰逊控制技术公司 用于结合车辆内部组件的各部分的红外焊接方法
CN106249955A (zh) * 2016-08-03 2016-12-21 业成科技（成都）有限公司 切割密封压力感测模组方法及其加工而成的压力感测装置
CN109383033A (zh) * 2017-08-07 2019-02-26 大族激光科技产业集团股份有限公司 一种oled屏的激光焊接封装方法及设备
CN110014226A (zh) * 2019-04-19 2019-07-16 大族激光科技产业集团股份有限公司 激光焊接装置及复合激光焊接方法

Families Citing this family (28)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP4553296B2 (ja) * 2004-06-23 2010-09-29 株式会社小糸製作所 車輌用灯具の製造方法及び車輌用灯具の製造装置。
JP4790466B2 (ja) * 2006-03-28 2011-10-12 ダイキン工業株式会社 レーザー溶着方法、レーザー溶着装置、及び送風機用羽根車の製造方法
EP2101986B1 (en) * 2007-01-17 2017-03-22 Basf Se Dithiolene metal complex colorless ir absorbers
EP1987944B1 (de) * 2007-05-04 2012-07-25 Leister Technologies AG Laserdurchstrahlschweissvorrichtung und Verfahren zum Verbinden von Kunststoffwerkstücken
US7955468B2 (en) * 2007-09-24 2011-06-07 Extol Inc. Pneumatically actuated infrared welding method and apparatus
FR2929549B1 (fr) * 2008-04-08 2012-04-20 Monnier Marc Le Procede de fabrication d'une structure alveolaire,structure alveolaire et installation correspondantes
JP5262822B2 (ja) 2009-02-23 2013-08-14 日本軽金属株式会社 液冷ジャケットの製造方法
CN101858503B (zh) * 2009-04-10 2012-06-27 富士迈半导体精密工业（上海）有限公司 固态光源组装装置及其组装方法
FR2959693B1 (fr) * 2010-05-07 2012-07-27 Renault Sa Dispositif d'assemblage de deux pieces en materiaux thermoplastiques par soudage laser par transparence et procede d'assemblage associe
JP5588253B2 (ja) * 2010-07-21 2014-09-10 浜松ホトニクス株式会社 樹脂溶着方法
JP5646235B2 (ja) * 2010-07-21 2014-12-24 浜松ホトニクス株式会社 樹脂溶着方法及び樹脂溶着装置
DE102011005901A1 (de) * 2011-03-22 2012-09-27 Lisa Dräxlmaier GmbH Kaltkaschierung mit Strahlung
US10105899B2 (en) 2015-03-26 2018-10-23 Becton, Dickinson And Company IV membrane attachment systems and methods
US10232130B2 (en) 2015-03-26 2019-03-19 Becton, Dickinson And Company Anti-run dry membrane
US10201667B2 (en) 2015-03-26 2019-02-12 Becton, Dickinson And Company IV membrane attachment systems and methods
US10702689B2 (en) 2015-03-26 2020-07-07 Becton, Dickinson And Company Auto-stop vent plug
CN107428090B (zh) * 2015-03-30 2019-12-03 日本制铁株式会社 金属、树脂部件以及碳纤维强化树脂部件的接合方法
US10646648B2 (en) 2015-04-01 2020-05-12 Becton, Dickinson And Company IV flow management systems and methods
US10161381B2 (en) * 2015-09-14 2018-12-25 General Electric Company Rotor blades having thermoplastic components and methods for joining rotor blade components
US10538036B2 (en) * 2016-09-15 2020-01-21 Dukane Ias, Llc Laser welding system and method using cooling mask to control the width of the weld
JP2020521650A (ja) * 2017-05-26 2020-07-27 ブランソン・ウルトラソニックス・コーポレーション Ｉｎ ｓｉｔｕ光学的フィードバック
US11548235B2 (en) 2018-07-03 2023-01-10 Dukane Ias, Llc Laser welding system and method using machined clamping tool
US11541609B2 (en) 2018-07-03 2023-01-03 Dukane Ias, Llc System and method for simultaneous welding of plastic bags using a carrier film
DE102019111226A1 (de) * 2019-04-30 2020-11-05 Airbus Operations Gmbh Vorrichtung, Anordnung und Verfahren zum Strahlschweißen mit Kühlung
JP2021005805A (ja) * 2019-06-26 2021-01-14 パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社 光電センサ、レーザ樹脂溶着における樹脂透過率の測定方法、レーザ樹脂溶着方法、レーザ加工装置
JP2022091031A (ja) * 2020-12-08 2022-06-20 三菱エンジニアリングプラスチックス株式会社 レーザー溶着体、キット、レーザー吸収樹脂部材用樹脂組成物、および、レーザー溶着体の製造方法
CN121175177A (zh) 2023-05-26 2025-12-19 Sabic环球技术有限责任公司 聚烯烃焊件方法和设备
CN117698138A (zh) * 2023-12-28 2024-03-15 武汉松盛光电科技有限公司 一种激光塑料焊接装置

Family Cites Families (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4000392A (en) * 1974-07-01 1976-12-28 United Technologies Corporation Fusion zone purification by controlled laser welding
US4158762A (en) * 1978-01-04 1979-06-19 Coherent, Inc. Apparatus and method for cutting and heat sealing woven thermoplastic material
JPS60214931A (ja) * 1984-04-10 1985-10-28 Toyota Motor Corp 異種合成樹脂材料の接合方法
US4659458A (en) * 1985-12-19 1987-04-21 The Standard Oil Company Apparatus and method for froth flotation employing rotatably mounted spraying and skimming means
US5287622A (en) * 1986-12-17 1994-02-22 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Method for preparation of a substrate for a heat-generating device, method for preparation of a heat-generating substrate, and method for preparation of an ink jet recording head
EP0997261B9 (de) * 1999-01-28 2001-04-11 Leister Process Technologies Laserfügeverfahren und Vorrichtung zum Verbinden von verschiedenen Werkstücken aus Kunststoff oder Kunststoff mit anderen Materialien
WO2000066345A2 (en) * 1999-04-30 2000-11-09 Powerlasers Ltd. Method of clamping thermoplastic pieces and heat control for laser welding
JP3630293B2 (ja) * 1999-10-06 2005-03-16 トヨタ自動車株式会社 樹脂材のレーザ溶着方法
US6486433B2 (en) * 2001-01-11 2002-11-26 Branson Ultrasonics Corporation Transparent pressure bladder
EP1254760A1 (de) * 2001-05-02 2002-11-06 BLZ Bayerisches Laserzentrum Gemeinnützige Forschungsgesellschaft mbH Verfahren zum Laser-Durchstrahlschweissen von Kunststoffen und Laser-Durchstrahlschweissvorrichtung
JP2003251699A (ja) * 2002-03-04 2003-09-09 Toyota Motor Corp 樹脂部品のレーザ溶着方法

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102672963A (zh) * 2012-02-09 2012-09-19 王耀民 气流压紧透射加工装置
CN102672961A (zh) * 2012-02-09 2012-09-19 王瑛玮 热气流软化、压合透射加工装置
CN102672961B (zh) * 2012-02-09 2015-11-25 王瑛玮 热气流软化、压合透射加工装置
CN104290318A (zh) * 2013-05-02 2015-01-21 约翰逊控制技术公司 用于结合车辆内部组件的各部分的红外焊接方法
CN106249955A (zh) * 2016-08-03 2016-12-21 业成科技（成都）有限公司 切割密封压力感测模组方法及其加工而成的压力感测装置
CN109383033A (zh) * 2017-08-07 2019-02-26 大族激光科技产业集团股份有限公司 一种oled屏的激光焊接封装方法及设备
CN110014226A (zh) * 2019-04-19 2019-07-16 大族激光科技产业集团股份有限公司 激光焊接装置及复合激光焊接方法

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
KR20070108277A (ko) 2007-11-08
EP1853417A1 (en) 2007-11-14
JP2008531355A (ja) 2008-08-14
US20060283544A1 (en) 2006-12-21
CA2599737A1 (en) 2006-09-08
WO2006094305A1 (en) 2006-09-08

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CN101166620A (zh) 激光焊接设备和激光焊接方法
JP3303259B2 (ja) レーザーによる樹脂の接合方法及びその装置
CA2564403C (en) Method and apparatus for laser welding thermoplastic resin members
JP4071417B2 (ja) 溶接方法および装置
US6528755B2 (en) Light guide for laser welding
CN100467253C (zh) 树脂成型体及其制备方法
US11110665B2 (en) System and method for direct infrared (IR) laser welding
CN101681015B (zh) 使未被吸收的红外激光再循环以增加红外激光吸收的红外塑料焊接
Kagan et al. Laser transmission welding of semicrystalline thermoplastics-Part II: Analysis of mechanical performance of welded nylon
CA2564528C (en) Method and apparatus for laser welding thermoplastic resin members
JP2001334578A (ja) レーザによる樹脂の溶着加工方法
US20120181250A1 (en) Infrared laser welding of plastic parts with one or more of the parts having a modified surface providing increased absorbtivity to infrared laser light
JP4829637B2 (ja) ケース及び携帯機並びに樹脂成型品のレーザ溶着方法
CN113195200A (zh) 三维地施加材料的打印装置的打印头、打印装置和方法
WO2000066345A2 (en) Method of clamping thermoplastic pieces and heat control for laser welding
EP1842654A2 (en) Laser welding jig and resin product
US20140283986A1 (en) Resin member welding method
Kurosaki Radiative heat transfer in plastic welding processes
WO2018212947A1 (en) Simultaneous laser welding using two-micron laser light
HK1119418A (zh) 激光焊接設備和激光焊接方法
Brunnecker et al. Laser Welding of Plastics—a Neat Thing: The story of a popular laser application
JP2021511232A (ja) 狭い同時レーザプラスチック溶接のための導波路
Pereira Analysis and Industrial Implementation of Robotic Laser Welding Cells for Bonding Polymers
WO2018217930A1 (en) Infrared through transmissive laser welding using complementary optical part

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
C06 Publication
PB01 Publication
C10 Entry into substantive examination
SE01 Entry into force of request for substantive examination
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: HK

Ref legal event code: DE

Ref document number: 1119418

Country of ref document: HK

C02 Deemed withdrawal of patent application after publication (patent law 2001)
WD01 Invention patent application deemed withdrawn after publication

Open date: 20080423

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: HK

Ref legal event code: WD

Ref document number: 1119418

Country of ref document: HK