US Patent:
20180071990, Mar 15, 2018
Inventors:
- St. Charles IL, US
Grzegorz Zdzislaw Bugaj - Burbank IL, US
Leo Klinstein - Glenview IL, US
International Classification:
B29C 65/16
B29C 65/00
Abstract:
A laser welding method and system for joining portions of first and second workpieces of thermoplastic material that is partially permeable to a laser beam but absorbs radiation from the laser beam. The first and second workpieces, which are made of material that absorbs radiation from a laser beam, are clamped together. A mask is placed on a first surface of the first workpiece, the first surface being opposite the surface engaging the second workpiece. The mask is impermeable to a laser beam and forms a slot for passing a laser beam to the portion of the first surface of the upper workpiece exposed by the slot, so that heating and melting of the material of the workpieces is limited to the width of the slot. A laser beam is directed onto the slot and moved in a manner to illuminate the slot to melt and join the workpieces.