Plastics Processing

Overview

Our Service

The demands on laser processes in the field of plastics technology are manifold. The Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT has developed and qualified individual processes for the welding, cutting, drilling, structuring and marking of plastics all the way to turnkey production systems. Since these laser processes can be automated well and place the energy input at a specific location, they open up new possibilities in the design of innovative plastic products and production processes.

The spectrum of services encompasses feasibility studies, customer-specific tasks as well as the integration of laser processes in production lines. This includes consultation on solving acute production problems and developing application-specific special optics as well as selecting and adapting suitable beam sources and machine systems.

Welding of transparent plastics without absorber additives (PC).
© Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany.
Welding of transparent plastics without absorber additives (PC).
Laser based hybrid connection between car door and GFRP reinforcement brace
© Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany.
Laser based hybrid connection between car door and GFRP reinforcement brace
Machine systems for laser processing of plastics.
© Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen, Germany.
Machine systems for laser processing of plastics.

Absorber-free transparent and film welding

  • Selection of suitable laser wavelength depending on material properties
  • Development of clamping technology
  • Plant integration

Laser-based hybrid plastic-metal connection

  • Load-bearing design of the joining geometry
  • Test and Trial

Laser beam welding in a combination of transparent and absorbent

  • Characterization of optical properties of the joining partners
  • Design of the weld seam geometry
  • Process development and application testing

Welding of fiber-reinforced plastics

  • Robot-guided, flexible clamping device with integrated processing optics
  • Design of optical systems taking into account the scattering in the material

Laser-based polymer-glass-connection

  • Crack prevention through adapted irradiation strategies
  • Process development joining

Removal, drilling and cutting of plastics

  • Cutting with CO2 lasers and fibre lasers
  • Ablation and drilling with ultrashort pulse lasers without thermal damage
  • Flexible 3D structuring and different aspect ratios
  • Micro-drilling down to <1 µm
  • Laser labelling

Quality assurance in plastic welding

  • Pyrometric process monitoring
  • Thermography

Simulation of laser processes

  • Thermal simulation
  • Load analysis and structural-mechanical simulation
  • Beam propagation in scattering materials

Systems engineering

  • Welding machines
  • Cutting systems
  • Thermal and optical process monitoring systems
  • Plant integration
  • Process simulation

Brochures

Our brochures provide a quick overview of the "Plastics Processing" service portfolio. Find more detailed information in the “project results“ tab.

 

“Lasers in Plastics Technology“

 

“Laser Processing of Composites“

 

“Micro Joining with Laser Radiation“

 

“Laser Processes for Hydrogen Technology“

 

“Laser Polishing of Plastics“

Videos

 

Image Video: Laser-based Micro Joining for a Wide Range of Connections

 

Image Video: Laser Processes for Hydrogen Technology [German]

 

Flexible Production Cell for Hybrid Joining

 

Technology Demonstrator Polymer Processing

 

Cutting of Thermoplastic Composites

 

Laser Transmission Welding of Absorber-Free Plastics

Markets

Laser technology can solve demanding tasks in many different industries. Whether as a tool in automotive production, as measuring equipment in the environmental sector, as a diagnostic or therapeutic instrument in medical technology or as a communication medium in space technology, the laser provides multiple uses with high productivity and high efficiency.

Read up about the innovations of the Fraunhofer ILT in a few selected industries and convince yourself!

 

Research with us!

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about general topics! Our contact persons are happy to get in touch with you.