A binding machine comprising: a feeding device for feeding a binding element (3) in the form of a wire or strap in a loop around one or more objects to be bound and subsequently retracting the binding element to draw it tightly around said objects; and a laser welding device for forming a welded joint between a section at the leading end of the binding element and an adjoining section at the trailing end of the part (3a) of the binding element fed in a loop around said objects to thereby secure this part of the binding element in a loop around the objects. The laser welding device is configured to apply an identification marking on an outer surface of the binding element by means of a laser beam (14) emitted from a laser welding head of the laser welding device.

A laser welding method and system for joining portions of first and second workpieces of thermoplastic material that is partially permeable to a laser beam but absorbs radiation from the laser beam. The first and second workpieces, which are made of material that absorbs radiation from a laser beam, are clamped together. A mask is placed on a first surface of the first workpiece, the first surface being opposite the surface engaging the second workpiece. The mask is impermeable to a laser beam and forms a slot for passing a laser beam to the portion of the first surface of the upper workpiece exposed by the slot, so that heating and melting of the material of the workpieces is limited to the width of the slot. A laser beam is directed onto the slot and moved in a manner to illuminate the slot to melt and join the workpieces.

The invention relates to a method for welding a polyolefin plastic and a plastic using a primer, said primer containing at least one maleic anhydride containing polymer and at least one polyester. The invention also relates to correspondingly bonded products.

A method for sensing intensity of laser light in a simultaneous laser welding system includes placing a smart part in a weld area. The smart part includes at least a laser light intensity sensor for sensing laser light directed at it. Laser light intensity is sensed by the laser light intensity sensor of the smart part which provides an output signal indicative thereof to a controller.

A narrow waveguide homogenizes laser light traveling from a laser light source of a laser bank through a plurality of laser delivery bundles that include at least a fiber optic bundle leg to weld a plurality of work pieces along a weld line that is narrower than the width of the fiber optic bundle leg. The narrow waveguide has a portion associated with each fiber optic bundle leg that is narrower than the fiber optic bundle leg with which that portion of the waveguide is associated. A reflective bounce plane diverts laser light of the fiber optic bundle leg that does not travel through the narrow waveguide.

A connector is formed by fixing two or more connector parts each made from a resin to each other by press fitting or with an adhesive. At least one weld part regulating thermal deformation between the connector parts is formed in a boundary portion between the adjoining connector parts.

The embodiments described herein provide improved techniques for laser welding. These techniques can provide improved weld strength while reducing the potential for damage at the welding surface. In general, the techniques use a mask to selectively block a portion of the laser beam during welding. Specifically, the mask is made to include at least one laser light blocking feature and at least one laser light passing feature. The mask is positioned to be in contact with the plastic bodies that are to be welded together, with the laser light blocking feature and laser light passing feature proximate to the area that is to be welded. Then during welding the laser beam is operated to simultaneously impact the laser light blocking feature and pass through the laser light passing feature.

Sensors incorporated within a laser bank detect light emitted by light sources that is directed into and travels through a delivery end of an associated laser delivery optical fiber. The light sources may be positioned between downstream of the delivery end of the associated laser delivery optical fiber and a lower tooling. In some embodiments, the light source is incorporated within a waveguide. In other embodiments, the light source is positioned within a dummy part.

A laser joining method and device includes a pressure-applying clamping device, which presses a first and a second workpiece against one another at least after the workpieces have been locally plasticized, and a mask having mask structures, which allow laser light to pass only in the region of the bonding contact faces, wherein at least the workpiece facing the laser source is formed by a three-dimensional molded part, which is not planar at least on the first contour side facing the clamping element and/or on the second contour side facing the second workpiece, and wherein the clamping element, with the bearing side thereof for the first workpiece, is adapted to the first contour side of the first workpiece. The mask structures are created on the bearing side of the clamping element facing the first workpiece or on the second contour side of the first workpiece facing the second workpiece.

The invention relates to a mounting device for the simultaneous welding of a plurality of sensor holders along a horizontal line of a bumper. Said mounting device can be adapted to different dimensions of bumpers and has one or two freely radiating diode lasers for each sensor holder. A holding-down element is arranged downstream thereof in the direction of emission, which includes a gripper for receiving the sensor holder and a holding-down element for introducing a contact pressure, said holding-down element being permeable in partial areas for the laser radiation of the diode laser.