LQ-Integration

The scanner based systems of LPKF Laser & Electronics AG, Plastics Welding Division combine controlled processes with the highest levels of efficiency during the laser plastics welding.

The scanner-based welding systems of the LQ-Integration series consist of a compact welding head and a separate control cabinet. The welding head comprises all the necessary components for the clamping and welding of thermoplastic parts and maintains laser class 1. It can be simply integrated within workpiece carrier systems or attached to a rotary indexing table, due to its compact design. The PLC control, the user-interface, the peripheral equipment and the laser are located within the control cabinet. All systems employ fiber-coupling to deliver the laser radiation from the cabinet to the welding head.

Radiation source

As a basic principle, we employ fibre coupled diode lasers with a maximum output of up to 1000 W in their welding heads.

Top-Down clamping technology

The joining partners are clamped from above, whereby the clamping pressure can be individually set and is monitored. The workpiece-carrier, in which the parts are positioned, has not to be moved during the clamping process and it is not necessary to lift the parts out of the workpiece-carrier. In this way the, welding head can be simply attached to rotary tables or a conveyor system. The element-specific clamping devices can be simply exchanged so that the system can be reconfigured for a new product in the shortest space of time. Upon request, the welding head will be equipped with the clamping device identification system, which initiates the automatic adaption of the welding programme for a new product to be welded.

System and process monitoring

The stop positions of all the pneumatic cylinders, the supply pressure, the clamping pressure and all the relevant laser parameters such as the diode current or the cooling water temperature are monitored on the welding head. In addition the joint path is measured and the energy deposition into the joining partners is regulated during the process.

System operation

The parameter set-up is carried out by means of an interactive user interface. The convenient Teach-Software ProSeT is available for the setting up of the welding contour. The control system offers the option of storing different sets of parameters and welding contours.

Laser protection

All LaserQuipment^® systems correspond to laser class 1. The laser protection is ensured by means of the enclosure of the top-down clamping device. During the welding process the laser’s working area is sealed against the workpiece-carrier by means of a special cover. In addition a mechanical shutter is integrated in the laser's beam path. The correct functioning of the laser protection devices is monitored with non-contact safety switches.