Laser Plastic Welding Technology

Feb. 22, 2023
At MD&M West, Emerson demoed its Branson laser plastic welding portfolio, including a Galvo welder that uses photons to weld plastics without vibration and contamination.

At MD&M West, Machine Design took a tour of Emerson’s booth where Tom Hoover explained Branson’s plastic welding technology. In the first demo, Hoover explained the Laser IRAM used laser diode energy and put it around the part perimeter, allowing the customer to take contoured parts. With a cycle time of about three seconds, the IRAM is best used in non-flexible, high-speed automation parts.

If the part needs to be changed, Branson’s GL-300 Laser Welder, a Galvo welder that uses photons to weld plastics, can be used. Predominantly used in microfluidics or in product development, the machine is best used for parts that have many fluid pathways through it. Since photons (not vibrations) are used to join parts, it doesn’t leave particulates behind, making it suited for applications that demand clean, contaminant-free parts.

About the Author

Rehana Begg | Editor-in-Chief, Machine Design

As Machine Design’s content lead, Rehana Begg is tasked with elevating the voice of the design and multi-disciplinary engineer in the face of digital transformation and engineering innovation. Begg has more than 24 years of editorial experience and has spent the past decade in the trenches of industrial manufacturing, focusing on new technologies, manufacturing innovation and business. Her B2B career has taken her from corporate boardrooms to plant floors and underground mining stopes, covering everything from automation & IIoT, robotics, mechanical design and additive manufacturing to plant operations, maintenance, reliability and continuous improvement. Begg holds an MBA, a Master of Journalism degree, and a BA (Hons.) in Political Science. She is committed to lifelong learning and feeds her passion for innovation in publishing, transparent science and clear communication by attending relevant conferences and seminars/workshops. 

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