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Importance of fiber laser technology in Industry 4.0
Science has always aimed to develop more efficient fiber laser technology for manufacturing. This technology is a crucial element of the new industrial revolution, Industry 4.0. One key aspect is ultrafast fiber lasers, which allow processes to be performed at high speeds. 3D printing is one field where ultrafast fiber lasers can be effectively applied.
German scientists are demonstrating how 3D-printed components can be welded with a fiber laser. Their goal is to create an expert system to optimize additive manufacturing processes. The printed units can subsequently be welded using a fiber laser.
Challenges in fiber laser transmission welding
Fiber laser transmission welding is already recognized as an industrial joining process for plastic components. However, 3D-printed components present a challenge due to cavities and boundary layers that prevent uniform weld creation. Components may appear identical externally but have different internal structures. Researchers aim to design a fiber laser system with unified process knowledge, eliminating the need for detailed analysis of each component for welding.
For fiber laser welding, researchers are studying fused deposition modeling, where thin strands of molten plastic are layered sequentially. The developing fiber laser system will provide data on the material, layer thickness, and other factors, ensuring maximum laser beam permeability.
Measuring transmission for process control
The research team is developing a method to measure transmission with spatial resolution, identifying points where the laser beam passes through and other critical factors. This information will be used to control the fiber laser welding process. The system can adjust fiber laser power: increasing it where transmission is low and decreasing it where transmission is high.
Welding different thermoplastics with fiber lasers
Fiber laser transmission welding can join units made from different thermoplastics. For example, a transparent and a non-transparent plastic component can be welded together. The laser passes through the transparent part and is absorbed by the non-transparent part, converting light into thermal energy. This melts the plastic in the joining area, forming a weld seam.
The newly developed fiber laser design simplifies the optimization of manufacturing processes for enterprises.