Indeed, there’s a widespread misnomer that lasers will damage or destroy plastic parts. However, new technology and new applications are making laser welding a serious alternative to more traditional plastic joining techniques, such as hot-plate welding, ultrasonic welding and vibration welding.
Laser welding was introduced as a viable method for joining thermoplastics more than 10 years ago, but the technology has been slow to catch on due to high costs, safety concerns and reliability issues. Today, changing market conditions and more affordable laser modules are prompting manufacturers to review the pros and cons of joining plastic parts with light.