Naoyuki Matsuo

Laser splicing technology for thermoplastic film material

Recently, near-infrared lasers show remarkable progress in terms of output power, long running stability and cost. The development of laser precision plastic welding technology utilizing these laser sources as one of main applications has been actively conducted all over the world. The authors studied and developed brand-new laser splicing technology as a new application of laser welding for thermoplastic film material fed at roll-to-roll handling process, which showed better bonding quality compared to the conventional splicing methods such as adhesive tape method, heat sealing method, and so on. In this report, basic laser splicing method for transparent thermoplastic films, correlation between laser processing condition and bonding condition, how to measure heating situation when laser irradiated, in-process controlling method, moreover high precision and photon absorber-free laser butt splicing technology which is state-of-the-art laser welding technology is described.Recently, near-infrared lasers show remarkable progress in terms of output power, long running stability and cost. The development of laser precision plastic welding technology utilizing these laser sources as one of main applications has been actively conducted all over the world. The authors studied and developed brand-new laser splicing technology as a new application of laser welding for thermoplastic film material fed at roll-to-roll handling process, which showed better bonding quality compared to the conventional splicing methods such as adhesive tape method, heat sealing method, and so on. In this report, basic laser splicing method for transparent thermoplastic films, correlation between laser processing condition and bonding condition, how to measure heating situation when laser irradiated, in-process controlling method, moreover high precision and photon absorber-free laser butt splicing technology which is state-of-the-art laser welding technology is described.