WO2018217917A1 - Soudage de plastique au laser avec recuit intégré - Google Patents

Soudage de plastique au laser avec recuit intégré Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2018217917A1
WO2018217917A1 PCT/US2018/034170 US2018034170W WO2018217917A1 WO 2018217917 A1 WO2018217917 A1 WO 2018217917A1 US 2018034170 W US2018034170 W US 2018034170W WO 2018217917 A1 WO2018217917 A1 WO 2018217917A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
annealing
laser
welding
plastic components
work piece
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2018/034170
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Eugene D. POLLASTRO
Scott Caldwell
John Paul Kurpiewski
John CINICOLA
Yu Zheng
Original Assignee
Branson Ultrasonics Corporation
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 Branson Ultrasonics Corporation filed Critical Branson Ultrasonics Corporation
Publication of WO2018217917A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018217917A1/fr

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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
    • B29C71/00—After-treatment of articles without altering their shape; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C71/02—Thermal after-treatment
    • 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
    • B29C65/10—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using hot gases (e.g. combustion gases) or flames coming in contact with 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
    • B29C65/1403—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 characterised by the type of electromagnetic or particle radiation
    • B29C65/1412—Infrared [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
    • 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
    • B29C65/1429—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 characterised by the way of heating the interface
    • B29C65/1464—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 characterised by the way of heating the interface making use of several radiators
    • B29C65/1467—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 characterised by the way of heating the interface making use of several radiators at the same time, i.e. simultaneous 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
    • B29C65/1664—Laser beams characterised by the way of heating the interface making use of several radiators
    • B29C65/1667—Laser beams characterised by the way of heating the interface making use of several radiators at the same time, i.e. 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
    • B29C65/02—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
    • B29C65/02—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
    • B29C65/1696—Laser beams making use of masks
    • 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
    • B29C65/18—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools
    • 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
    • B29C65/72—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by combined operations or combined techniques, e.g. welding and stitching
    • 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
    • B29C66/02—Preparation of the material, in the area to be joined, prior to joining or welding
    • B29C66/024—Thermal pre-treatments
    • B29C66/0242—Heating, or preheating, e.g. drying
    • 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
    • B29C66/03—After-treatments in the joint area
    • B29C66/034—Thermal after-treatments
    • B29C66/0344—Annealing
    • 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
    • B29C66/40—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
    • B29C66/47—Joining single elements to sheets, plates or other substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/472—Joining single elements to sheets, plates or other substantially flat surfaces said single elements being substantially flat
    • 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
    • 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
    • B29C35/02—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
    • B29C2035/0838—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 laser
    • 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
    • B29C71/00—After-treatment of articles without altering their shape; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C71/02—Thermal after-treatment
    • B29C2071/022—Annealing
    • 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
    • B29C66/80—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
    • B29C66/832—Reciprocating joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/8322—Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis
    • 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
    • B29C71/00—After-treatment of articles without altering their shape; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C71/04—After-treatment of articles without altering their shape; Apparatus therefor by wave energy or particle radiation, e.g. for curing or vulcanising preformed articles

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to plastics welding and, more particularly, relates to providing plastics welding apparatuses with integral annealing capabilities.
  • plastic components together.
  • the plastic components prior to being welded are referred to herein as work pieces and the plastic components after they are welded together are referred to herein as a resultant welded plastic part.
  • work pieces the plastic components after they are welded together are referred to herein as a resultant welded plastic part.
  • a plurality of work pieces are joined together at a weld joint by inducing melting of at least one of the work pieces at the weld joint.
  • infrared lamp welding involves heating and melting a plurality of work pieces via broad-band infrared emitters selected based upon the absorption of non- reflected radiation energy by the underlying work pieces.
  • the welding apparatus causes undesirable stress in the work pieces to build up such as due to the force exerted on the work pieces as they are held together in the welding apparatus and/or due to stress resulting from the weld itself.
  • post welding transfer welded plastic parts to an oven to subsequently anneal the welded plastic part and relieve the stress. It would be desirable to streamline the process of welding work pieces, including reducing the overall time required to manufacture and anneal welded plastic parts.
  • the present technology provides a method of annealing and welding together a plurality of plastic components.
  • the method includes placing the plastic components in a welding apparatus.
  • the plastic components are welded together, and the plastic components are annealed in the welding apparatus before the plastic components are removed from the welding apparatus by heating the plastic components to an annealing temperature and holding the plastic components at the annealing temperature for an annealing period.
  • the annealing of the plastic components begins before, during, or after welding the plastic components together.
  • welding the plastic components together includes laser welding the plastic components together.
  • placing the plastic components in the welding apparatus includes placing the plastic components in a heatable welding chamber of the welding apparatus and heating the plastic components to the annealing temperature includes heating the welding chamber to a temperature to heat the plastic components to the annealing temperature.
  • the annealing comprises heating with pressurized, heated air.
  • the annealing comprises heating with an infrared lamp.
  • the annealing comprises heating with a heated fixture and/or tooling.
  • the annealing comprises directing a laser output at an intensity below the intensity required to weld the plastic components together.
  • the laser output is spread out over an area greater than the area under which the plastic components are welded together.
  • the present technology also provides a welding system having integral annealing.
  • the welding system includes a laser welder integrated with an annealing heat source.
  • the laser welder welds a plurality of plastic components, and the annealing heat source anneals the plurality of plastic components.
  • the laser welder comprises a heatable welding chamber and the annealing heat source comprises an oven.
  • the annealing heat source comprises an infrared lamp.
  • the annealing heat source comprises a heated fixture and/or tooling.
  • the annealing heat source comprises a laser source configured to direct a laser output at an intensity below the intensity required to weld the plastic components together. In other even further such embodiments, the laser output is spread out over an area greater than the area under which the plastic components are welded together.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a laser plastics welding system having an integral annealing heat source according to an aspect of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of another laser plastics welding apparatus having an integral annealing heat source according to another aspect of the present invention
  • FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrammatic views of another laser plastics welding apparatus having an integral annealing heat source according to another aspect of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of another laser plastics welding apparatus having an integral annealing heat source according to another aspect of the present invention.
  • FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrammatic views of another laser plastics welding apparatus having an integral annealing heat source according to another aspect of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of another laser plastics welding apparatus having an integral annealing heat source according to another aspect of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of another laser plastics welding apparatus having an integral annealing heat source according to another aspect of the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of another laser plastics welding
  • FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view of another laser plastics welding
  • FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view of another laser plastics welding apparatus having an integral annealing heat source according to another aspect of the present invention.
  • FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view of another laser plastics welding apparatus having an integral annealing heat source according to another aspect of the present invention.
  • Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific compositions, components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well- known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.
  • first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various steps, elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these steps, elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms, unless otherwise indicated. These terms may be only used to distinguish one step, element, component, region, layer or section from another step, element, component, region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first step, element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second step, element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.
  • Spatially or temporally relative terms such as “before,” “after,” “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures.
  • Spatially or temporally relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device or system in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.
  • composition refers broadly to a substance containing at least the preferred metal elements or compounds, but which optionally comprises additional substances or compounds, including additives and impurities.
  • material also broadly refers to matter containing the preferred compounds or composition.
  • disclosure of ranges includes disclosure of all values and further divided ranges within the entire range, including endpoints and sub-ranges given for the ranges.
  • the present disclosure provides methods of annealing plastic components used as work pieces to form welded plastic parts.
  • the plastic components described herein include a wide array of compositions that are susceptible to laser welding and/or broad-band infrared welding and, by way of non- limiting example, include materials prepared from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene ("ABS"), acrylics, cyclic olefin copolymers, elastomers, polybutylene terephthalate, polyamides, polycarbonates, polymethyl methacrylate, polyoxymethylene, polypropylene, polyphenylene sulfide, polystyrene, thermoplastic polyurethane, high- density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, and polysulphone.
  • ABS acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
  • acrylics acrylics
  • cyclic olefin copolymers elastomers
  • polybutylene terephthalate polyamides
  • polycarbonates
  • annealing is the process of relieving stresses and strains and dimensional stabilization while reducing or eliminating the occurrences of defects and improving physical properties in a plastic component by heating the plastic component to a temperature below its melting point, holding that temperature for a suitable period of time (i.e. , an annealing period), and then allowing the part to cool to room temperature.
  • Annealing may be accomplished by various heat transfer processes, such as, by non-limiting example, convection, air heating, or laser energy absorption.
  • the particular materials selected as the plastic components can dictate the annealing process.
  • annealing may occur before, during, or after welding.
  • annealing before and/or during welding can alleviate part warpage and provide better bond lines.
  • Annealing after welding alleviates stresses and strains that welding the work pieces generates.
  • the annealing process may begin before starting welding (i.e., before the plurality of work pieces forms the welded plastic part), begin during welding, or occur after starting welding.
  • annealing the plurality of plastic components in the welding apparatus can begin before, during, or after welding the plurality of plastic components together in a welding apparatus.
  • annealing may occur after welding such that the resultant welded plastic part is annealed, as opposed to the starting work pieces. Further, the annealing process may end before welding begins, during the weld cycle, or after the weld cycle has finished. Further, it should be understood that the work pieces and/or welded plastic part can be heated to different annealing temperatures and/or at different times. For example, the work pieces can be annealed at an annealing temperature prior to welding, or the resultant welded plastic part is annealed at a different annealing temperature after welding.
  • a plastics welding apparatus 10 for welding a plurality of work pieces having therein a welding chamber 12, in which the work pieces are disposed.
  • the welding chamber 12 is configured to be heated to anneal the plastic components before, during, and/or after welding.
  • welding chamber 12 may concurrently act as an oven that heats the plastic components to an annealing temperature, so that as recognized by those in the art, the temperature in welding chamber 12 may potentially exceed the annealing temperature of the plastic components.
  • the plastic components can be heated before, during or after welding. The plastic components are held at that temperature for a time sufficient to anneal the plastic components. If welding has not yet occurred, the work pieces are then welded together. After annealing and welding, the heated welded plastic part is allowed to cool to reach room temperature, either in plastics welding apparatus 10, or after having been removed from plastics welding apparatus 10.
  • Laser plastics welding apparatus 20 includes a laser scan head 21 for welding a first work piece 22 to a second work piece 24.
  • Laser plastics welding apparatus 20 further includes an annealing heat source in the manner of an infrared lamp 26 for heating the plurality of plastic components, e.g., by heating the first work piece 22 and second work piece 24 (if annealing begins before or during the laser weld cycle) and/or by heating the welded plastic part resulting from welding first work piece 22 to second work piece 24 (if annealing finishes after the laser weld cycle to anneal the work pieces 22, 24 into a resultant welded plastic part).
  • Infrared lamp 26 heats the plastic components to an annealing temperature and holds at that temperature for a time sufficient to anneal the welded plastic components. If welding has not yet occurred, the work pieces are then welded together. After annealing and welding, the welded plastic part is allowed to cool to reach room temperature, either in the apparatus 20, or after having been removed from apparatus 20
  • Laser plastics welding apparatus 30 includes laser bank 31 with at least a fiber optic member 39 and associated laser tooling 38 (which may include, by way of non-limiting example, a laser waveguide) for welding a first work piece 32 to a second work piece 34.
  • laser tooling 38 which may include, by way of non-limiting example, a laser waveguide
  • Laser plastics welding apparatus 30 further includes at least an annealing heat source in the manner of an infrared lamp 36 for heating the plurality of plastic components, e.g., by heating first work piece 32 and second work piece 34 (if annealing before the weld is contemplated) and/or by heating the resultant welded plastic part resulting from welding first work piece 32 to second work piece 34 (if finishing the annealing after the weld is contemplated).
  • Infrared lamp 36 heats the plastic components to an annealing temperature and holds at that temperature for a time sufficient to anneal the plastic components.
  • associated laser tooling 38 will be moved downward against second work piece 34 (as shown in FIG.
  • infrared lamp 36 is directed over first work piece 32 and second work piece 34 before associated laser tooling 38 is moved downward towards second work piece 34. If annealing after welding is contemplated, infrared lamp 36 is directed over first work piece 32 and second work piece 34 after associated laser tooling 38 is moved away from second work piece 34 (as shown in FIG. 3A). After annealing and welding, the welded plastic part is allowed to cool to reach room temperature, either in laser plastics welding apparatus 30, or after having been removed from laser plastics welding apparatus 30.
  • Laser plastics welding apparatus 40 includes laser scan head 41 for welding a first work piece 42 to a second work piece 44.
  • Laser plastics welding apparatus 40 further includes an annealing heat source in the manner of a source of pressurized, heated air (e.g., hot air jet 46) for heating the plurality of plastic components, e.g., by heating first work piece 42 and second work piece 44 (if annealing begins before or during the laser weld cycle) and/or by heating the welded plastic part resulting from welding first work piece 42 to second work piece 44 (if annealing finishes after the laser weld cycle).
  • a source of pressurized, heated air e.g., hot air jet 46
  • Hot air jet 46 heats the plastic components to an annealing temperature so that as recognized by those in the art, the temperature in laser plastics welding apparatus 40 may potentially exceed the annealing temperature of the plastic components.
  • Hot air jet 46 ensures the plastic components are held at the annealing temperature for a time sufficient to anneal the plastic components; it should be appreciated that hot air jet 46 need not blow heated air continuously during the time required for annealing. If welding has not yet occurred, the work pieces are then welded together. After annealing and welding, the welded plastic part is allowed to cool to reach room temperature, either in laser plastics welding apparatus 40, or after having been removed from laser plastics welding apparatus 40.
  • Laser plastics welding apparatus 50 includes laser bank 51 with at least a fiber optic member 59 and associated laser tooling 58 (which may include, by way of non-limiting example, at least a laser waveguide) for welding a first work piece 52 to a second work piece 54.
  • laser tooling 58 which may include, by way of non-limiting example, at least a laser waveguide
  • Laser plastics welding apparatus 50 further includes at least an annealing heat source in the manner of a source of pressurized, heated air (e.g., hot air jet 56) for heating the plurality of plastic components, e.g., by heating first work piece 52 and second work piece 54 (if annealing before the weld is contemplated) and/or by heating the resultant welded plastic part (if finishing the annealing after the weld is contemplated).
  • a source of pressurized, heated air e.g., hot air jet 56
  • associated laser tooling 58 will be directed downward towards second work piece 54 (as shown in FIG. 5B), such as by an actuator controlled by a controller of the laser welder.
  • the pressurized, heated air is directed over first work piece 52 and second work piece 54 before associated laser tooling 58 is directed downward towards second work piece 54. If annealing after the weld is contemplated, the pressurized, heated air is directed over first work piece 52 and second work piece 54 after associated laser tooling 58 is positioned in a direction closer to laser bank 51 (as shown in FIG. 5A). Regardless of when annealing occurs, hot air jet 56 heats the plastic components to an annealing temperature so that as recognized by those in the art, the temperature in the oven may potentially exceed the annealing temperature of the plastic components.
  • Hot air jet 56 ensures the plastic components are held at the annealing temperature for a time sufficient to anneal the plastic components; it should be appreciated that hot air jet 56 need not blow heated air continuously during the time required for annealing. If welding has not yet occurred, the work pieces are then welded together. After annealing and welding, the welded plastic part is allowed to cool to reach room temperature, either in laser plastics welding apparatus 50, or after having been removed from laser plastics welding apparatus 50.
  • Laser plastics welding apparatus 60 includes laser scan head 61 for welding a first work piece 62 to a second work piece 64.
  • Laser plastics welding apparatus 60 further includes an annealing heat source in the manner of a heatable fixture 66 that secures the first work piece 62 and second work piece 64.
  • Fixture 66 optionally applies pressure to first work piece 62 and second work piece 64 to further ensure a satisfactory weld.
  • Fixture 66 is heatable ⁇ e.g., electrically) and heats the plurality of plastic components, e.g.
  • Fixture 66 secures the plastic components and holds the temperature of the plastic components at an annealing temperature for a time sufficient to anneal the plastic components. If welding has not yet occurred, first work piece 62 and second work piece 64 are then welded together. After annealing and welding, the welded plastic part is allowed to cool to reach room temperature, either in laser plastics welding apparatus 60, or after having been removed from laser plastics welding apparatus 60.
  • Laser plastics welding apparatus 70 includes laser bank 71 with at least a fiber optic member 79 and associated laser tooling 78 (which may include, by way of non-limiting example, at least a laser waveguide) for welding a first work piece 72 to a second work piece 74.
  • Laser plastics welding apparatus 70 further includes an annealing heat source in the manner of both a heatable fixture 76 and heatable tooling 78 that secure the first work piece 72 and second work piece 74.
  • Fixture 76 and tooling 78 optionally apply pressure to first work piece 72 and second work piece 74 to further ensure a satisfactory weld.
  • fixture 76 and tooling 78 are heatable (e.g. , electrically) and heat the plurality of plastic parts, e.g., by heating the first work piece 72 and second work piece 74 (if annealing begins before the laser weld cycle) and/or by heating the welded plastic part resulting from welding first work piece 72 to second work piece 74 (if annealing occurs after the laser weld cycle).
  • Either or both of fixture 76 and tooling 78 secure the plastic components and hold the temperature of the plastic components at an annealing temperature for a time sufficient to anneal the plastic components. If welding has not yet occurred, first work piece 72 and second work piece 74 are then welded together. After annealing and welding, the welded plastic part is allowed to cool to reach room temperature, either in laser plastics welding apparatus 70, or after having been removed from laser plastics welding apparatus 70. [0043] Referring to FIG. 8, an embodiment of laser plastics welding apparatus
  • Laser plastics welding apparatus 80 includes laser scan head 81 for welding a first work piece 82 to a second work piece 84 to an area shown where laser line 86 intersects with the top surface of second work piece 84.
  • Laser scan head 81 is operable at an intensity at least great enough to initiate a weld between first work piece 82 and second work piece 84.
  • Laser scan head 81 is further operable as an annealing heat source by operating at a lower intensity that is high enough to anneal the plurality of plastic components, e.g., by annealing first work piece 82 and second work piece 84 (if annealing occurs before or during welding) or by annealing the resultant welded plastic part resulting from welding first work piece 82 and second work piece 84 (if annealing finished after welding).
  • Laser scan head 81 is further operable as an annealing heat source by operating at a lower intensity that is high enough to anneal the plurality of plastic components, e.g., by annealing first work piece 82 and second work piece 84 (if annealing occurs before or during welding) or by annealing the resultant welded plastic part resulting from welding first work piece 82 and second work piece 84 (if annealing finished after welding).
  • Laser scan head 81 is further operable as an annealing heat source by operating at a lower intensity that is high enough
  • first work piece 82 and second work piece 84 are then welded together. After annealing and welding, the welded plastic part is allowed to cool to reach room temperature, either in laser plastics welding apparatus 80, or after having been removed from laser plastics welding apparatus 80.
  • Laser plastics welding apparatus 90 includes laser scan head 91 for welding a first work piece 92 to a second work piece 94.
  • Laser scan head 91 is operable at an intensity at least great enough to initiate a weld between first work piece 92 and second work piece 94 to an area shown where laser line 96 intersects with the top surface of second work piece 94.
  • Laser scan head 91 is further operable as an annealing heat source by operating at a lower intensity that is high enough to anneal the plurality of plastic components, e.g., by annealing first work piece 92 and second work piece 94 (if annealing occurs before or during welding) or by annealing the resultant welded plastic part resulting from welding first work piece 92 and second work piece 94 (if annealing finished after welding). Further, laser scan head 91 spreads the lower intensity laser to an area shown between laser lines 98a and 98b to the points where said lines intersect with the top surface of second work piece 94. Laser scan head 91 delivers sufficient energy that is converted to heat during the annealing time to provide satisfactory annealing.
  • first work piece 92 and second work piece 94 are then welded together. After annealing and welding, the welded plastic part is allowed to cool to reach room temperature, either in laser plastics welding apparatus 90, or after having been removed from laser plastics welding apparatus 90.
  • laser bank 101 with at least a fiber optic member 108 and associated laser tooling 106 (which may include, by way of non-limiting example, at least a laser waveguide) for welding a first work piece 102 to a second work piece 104.
  • Laser bank 101 with at least a fiber optic member 108 and associated laser tooling 106 (which may include, by way of non-limiting example, at least a laser waveguide) for welding a first work piece 102 to a second work piece 104.
  • Laser bank 101 with at least a fiber optic member 108 and associated laser tooling 106 (which may include, by way of non-limiting example, at least a laser waveguide) for welding a first work piece 102 to a second work piece 104.
  • Laser bank 101 with at least a fiber optic member 108 and associated laser tooling 106 (which may include, by way of non-limiting example, at least a laser waveguide) for welding a first work piece 102 to a second work piece 104.
  • Laser bank 101 with at least a fiber optic
  • Laser bank 101 is operable at an intensity at least great enough to initiate a weld between first work piece 102 and second work piece 104.
  • Laser bank 101 is further operable as an annealing heat source by operating at a lower intensity that is high enough to anneal the plurality of plastic components, e.g., by annealing first work piece 102 and second work piece 104 (if annealing occurs before or during welding) or by annealing the resultant welded plastic part from welding first work piece 102 and second work piece 104 (if annealing finishes after welding).
  • Laser bank 101 delivers sufficient energy that is converted to heat during the annealing time to provide satisfactory annealing. If welding has not yet occurred, first work piece 102 and second work piece 104 are then welded together. After annealing and welding, the welded plastic part is allowed to cool to reach room temperature, either in laser plastics welding apparatus 100, or after having been removed from laser plastics welding apparatus 100.
  • Laser plastics welding apparatus 110 with integral annealing is disclosed.
  • laser bank 111 with at least a fiber optic member 119 and associated laser tooling 116 (which may include, by way of non-limiting example, at least a laser waveguide) for welding a first work piece 112 to a second work piece 114.
  • Laser bank 111 is operable at an intensity at least great enough to initiate a weld between first work piece 112 and second work piece 114.
  • At least a fiber optic member 119, and associated laser tooling 116 are further movable closer or farther away from second work piece 114, such as by an actuator controlled by a controller of the laser welder.
  • laser tooling 116 is close enough to second work piece 114 and first work piece 112 such that concentrated (e.g., by a laser waveguide) laser energy is imparted to the work pieces, resulting in a welded plastic part.
  • Laser tooling 116 may act as an annealing heat source, as laser tooling 116 is movable in a direction farther away from the work pieces, resulting in a spread out laser path, as evinced by the area falling between lines 118a and 118b, at an overall intensity lower than that when the laser tooling 116 is moved to a closer position.
  • the area falling between lines 118a and 118b, rather than being welded, is annealed.
  • first work piece 112 and second work piece 114 are then welded together. After annealing and welding, the welded plastic part is allowed to cool to reach room temperature, either in laser plastics welding apparatus 110, or after having been removed from laser plastics apparatus 110.
  • the integral annealing heat sources according to the present disclosure afford additional advantages.
  • Third, in several of the annealing processes using laser energy to anneal the applicable materials no additional physical mechanics need be added to the welding apparatus to conduct the annealing, as the laser sources that weld the work pieces together themselves anneal the applicable materials.
  • any of the aforementioned annealing processes may be used with one another.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
  • Processing And Handling Of Plastics And Other Materials For Molding In General (AREA)

Abstract

Systèmes de soudage laser et infrarouge comprenant une soudeuse au laser ou une soudeuse à infrarouge ayant un recuit intégré. Le recuit peut commencer avant, pendant ou après le début du soudage. Plusieurs formes de recuit sont proposées, comprenant le recuit dans un four ; le recuit par chauffage à l'aide d'une source d'air chauffé sous pression ; le recuit à l'aide d'une lampe infrarouge ; le recuit par le biais d'un appareil et/ou d'un outillage chauffé ; et le recuit par laser.
PCT/US2018/034170 2017-05-26 2018-05-23 Soudage de plastique au laser avec recuit intégré WO2018217917A1 (fr)

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Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4879448A (en) * 1988-10-24 1989-11-07 Storage Technology Corporation Apparatus for laser welding and annealing
US5489404A (en) * 1994-08-08 1996-02-06 General Electric Company Process for annealing thermoplastics
US5505612A (en) * 1992-09-22 1996-04-09 Pepsico Inc. Appartus for blow mold annealing and heat treating thermoplastic articles
US5895212A (en) * 1995-03-09 1999-04-20 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Methods of winding, annealing and unwinding a polymer film web, an annealing apparatus and a photographic film support prepared using said method or apparatus
US20040135988A1 (en) * 2001-09-24 2004-07-15 Robert Link Method and device for producing an intermediate supporting strip by welding and involving a subsequent heat treatment
US20100116422A1 (en) * 2008-11-07 2010-05-13 Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation Method of forming large diameter thermoplastic seal

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4879448A (en) * 1988-10-24 1989-11-07 Storage Technology Corporation Apparatus for laser welding and annealing
US5505612A (en) * 1992-09-22 1996-04-09 Pepsico Inc. Appartus for blow mold annealing and heat treating thermoplastic articles
US5489404A (en) * 1994-08-08 1996-02-06 General Electric Company Process for annealing thermoplastics
US5895212A (en) * 1995-03-09 1999-04-20 Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. Methods of winding, annealing and unwinding a polymer film web, an annealing apparatus and a photographic film support prepared using said method or apparatus
US20040135988A1 (en) * 2001-09-24 2004-07-15 Robert Link Method and device for producing an intermediate supporting strip by welding and involving a subsequent heat treatment
US20100116422A1 (en) * 2008-11-07 2010-05-13 Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation Method of forming large diameter thermoplastic seal

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