CRANBERRY Township, PA—A Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development grant is funding research to advance the scientific knowledge of laser plastic welding among American engineering students.

Laser welding of plastic parts creates precise, high-quality, particulate-free joints for medical devices, consumer products and other assemblies. However, for the process to work, the laser light must pass through the top part to be absorbed by the bottom part. Welding a clear plastic part to another clear plastic part was not possible.

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC — PRC Laser Corp., an industrial laser manufacturer, plans to invest $1.4 million into a new facility in Charleston County that will create 73 jobs.

ST. CHARLES, IL–Dukane, a leader in plastic welding, recently announced the acquisition of Blackhawk Technology Group, a systems, services, and contract manufacturer for laser plastic welding.

Laser welding is one of the newest technologies for joining thermoplastic parts. This noncontact process has many advantages. It’s fast and precise, and it doesn’t generate flash or particulates.