Laser Welding Device for Clamping and Welding Components and Method for Clamping and Welding Components

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The invention relates to a laser welding device and method that allows precise clamping and welding of components—especially plastic pieces—by applying a clamping force directly over the area to be welded without obstructing the laser beam. This is achieved with specialized clamping tools (bars or blocks) and a laser system that focuses beams to pass by the clamping tool and weld at desired trajectories or points. The device eliminates issues associated with traditional clamping approaches (like poor weld quality or interference from glass clamps), enabling strong, high-quality welds on flexible or thin materials.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Manufacturing of lab-on-a-chip devices and microfluidic components.
• Assembly of plastic parts in medical devices, automotive or consumer electronics.
• Production of plastic enclosures, cases, or containers that require hermetic sealing.
• Creation of transparent plastic products where visual quality and strong bonds are critical.
• Welding of both absorbent and transparent plastic films, plates, or flexible sheets, such as in packaging, displays, or filtration devices.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables high-quality, secure welds by applying force directly above the weld area, ensuring close contact of parts even for flexible or thin materials.
• Prevents interference with the laser beam, improving process reliability and reducing need for ongoing laser calibration.
• Allows nontransparent, robust clamping tools (e.g., metal instead of glass), minimizing contamination and breakage risk.
• Adaptable to various welding trajectories and component shapes due to modular clamping bar/block design.
• Increases production flexibility (supports spot or trajectory welding, multi-dimensional welding paths).
• Facilitates more efficient heat management with options for cooled or heated clamps, protecting sensitive materials from thermal damage.
• Reduces contamination since no glass clamps (which can crack or collect dust) are needed.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The invention concerns a laser welding device (1) for clamping and welding components (2), comprising a clamping device (20), which comprises at least one clamping tool (3, 16), and which is configured to clamp, in a first direction (7), at least two components (2) that are to be welded along a welding trajectory (5) or at a welding point (29). Therein, the at least one clamping tool (3, 16) is configured to, in a clamped state, pass a clamping force (10) of the clamping device (20) along the first direction (7) into the component (2) in contact with the clamping tool (3) directly above the welding trajectory (5) or directly above the welding point (29). The laser welding device (1) further comprises at least one laser device (8) configured to generate at least one laser beam (9) which passes by the at least one clamping tool (3, 16) along the first direction (7) and impinges on the welding trajectory (5) or on the welding point (29). The present invention further concerns a method for clamping and welding components (2).