Among welding methods, laser welding is a new alternative that offers a number
of advantages. These include an improved optical appearance, a small
heat-affected zone, miniaturization, lower thermal, mechanical or electrical
load upon the product, less flash or no flash at all, the feasibility of 3-D
weld geometries and the possibility of welding thermoplastics to elastomers.
The weld strength is similar to conventionally welded parts.
There are two process variants for laser beam welding plastics: overlap
welding and butt-welding.
For an in depth discussion, with many examples and relevant literature
references, see the Laser Welding Handbook.
