Automotive

• Sensor housings such as distance warning system, rear view camera, tyre pressure, ...
• Displays, instrument clusters
• Lights: Front, rear and side lights
• Electronic keys or locking devices (e.g. parking brake)
• Oil filter or separator
• Pumps and valves
• Tube connections
• Door and trunk panels

The typical applications for laser welding of plastics in the automotive sector can be divided into three groups: Electronic housings, fluidic components and covers.

In the case of electronics housings, laser has the advantage to weld without vibrations, which can damage sensitive electronics. The quasi-simultaneous welding process with the melting of a rib for process reliability and quality control is popular.

Tight weld seams are also decisive for fluidic components, both for air-carrying components and for liquids. If particles from the welding process are not critical, a welding rib can again be melted in a quasi-simultaneous process. If not, the contour process is the solution.

Because of the nowadays required weight savings in automotive, covers are also increasingly being designed in plastic instead of metal sheets. Because of the component size, these are usually welded in the contour process.