Industrial Plastic Processing
Weld transparent polymers precisely with Futonics thulium fiber lasers. Intrinsic absorption around 2 µm enables joining without added absorbers for suitable materials, while high beam quality supports fine, reproducible weld seams.
Discuss your applicationMany plastics intrinsically absorb laser radiation around 2 µm. For suitable materials, welding can therefore take place without added absorbers, pigments or additives.
The process enables clean, reproducible joints with locally confined heat input. It is particularly relevant where optical quality, defined joining contours and contact-free processing are important.
Absorption, penetration depth and beam quality determine how energy reaches the joint. Thulium fiber lasers combine high beam quality with absorption characteristics suitable for many polymers, enabling controlled welding of transparent and colored thermoplastics.
CO₂ lasers can achieve high processing speeds but often offer limited penetration depth. Diode and Nd:YAG lasers are frequently used with absorbing or additive-containing materials. The appropriate laser depends on the material and joining task.
Plastic welding with a 2 µm thulium fiber laser is relevant where the joint must follow a defined contour while the component retains its optical quality. Applications include butt joints and the joining of transparent sheets and technical housings. Suitable process parameters can produce clean surfaces without visible marking outside the intended joining area.
Material absorption, wall thickness and weld seam design must be considered together. The possibility of welding without added absorbers applies to suitable polymers; it is not a general statement that every transparent plastic can be processed with the same settings.
The required penetration depth distinguishes different polymer joining tasks. CO₂ lasers are particularly suited to surface-near processing and thin films, while diode and Nd:YAG processes frequently use absorbing or additive-containing materials. Thulium fiber lasers provide a further option where intrinsic absorption around 2 µm and single-mode beam quality suit the joining task.
Our thulium fiber lasers are used to join medical polymer components, sensors, diagnostic components and microfluidic structures. Learn more about the process in the publication on welding transparent and opaque polymers linked below.
Suitability depends on polymer composition, component geometry, weld seam design, wall thickness and process requirements. Futonics supports application evaluation and selection of a suitable laser module for laboratory, industrial or OEM systems.
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The 400 W Thulium Fiber Laser from Futonics is a single-mode 2 µm fiber laser system for industrial, medical and scientific applications. It provides up to 400 W continuous output power, fixed emission wavelengths between 1908 nm and 2050 nm, excellent beam quality and reliable long-term operation. The compact 19-inch rackmount housing is designed for integration into demanding laser processing, research and OEM systems.
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