Hybrid (CNC+Laser) Process for Polymer Welding

Yoo, JongGi; Lee, ChoonWoo; Choi, HaeWoon

JWJ > Volume 28(3); 2010 > Article

Journal of KWJS 2010 June;28(3) :42-48.
Published online August 2, 2010.

Hybrid (CNC+Laser) Process for Polymer Welding

JongGi Yoo, ChoonWoo Lee, HaeWoon Choi

Correspondence: Published online August 2, 2010

ABSTRACT

Polycarbonate (PC) and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) were welded by a combination of a diode laser and a CNC machining center. Laser beam delivered through the transparent PC and was absorbed in an opaque ABS. Polymers were melted and joined by absorbed and conducted heat. Experiments were carried out by varying working distance from 44㎜ to 50㎜ for the focus spot diameter control, laser input power from 10W to 25W, and scanning speed from 100 to 400㎜/min. The weld bead and cross-section were analyzed for weld quality, and tensile results were presented through the joint force measurement. With focus distance at 48㎜, laser power with 20W, and welding speed at 300㎜/min, experimental results showed the best welding quality which bead size was measured to be 3.75㎜. The shear strength at the given condition was 22.8N/㎟. Considering tensile strength of ABS is 43N/㎟, shear strength was sufficient to hold two materials. A single process was possible in a CNC machining system, surface processing, hole machining and welding. As a result, the process cycle time was reduced to 25%. Compared to a typical process, specimens were fabricated in a single process, with high precision.

Keywords: Hybrid process;Laser process;Polymer joining;Welding speed;CNC machining