Emerson has announced its new Branson™ GLX-1 Laser Welder. Specifically, it offers users the flexibility to meet the growing demand for joining small, complex or delicate plastic components and assemblies.

Moreover, its small footprint and modular design make it compatible with ISO-8 cleanroom environments, while an integral automation controller simplifies installation and interfaces with production robotics.

Suits Electronics, Medial Production

The precise, servo-based actuation controls of the GLX-1 welder allow for greater freedom to design and join components with three-dimensional contours. Specifically, in small-part applications such as sensors in the electronics, automotive, and appliance markets. Moreover, it also suits medical market, such as for catheters and wearables with microfluidic parts.

The new welder can join high-performance and blended polymers and components with critical or complex 3D joint geometries or preassembled parts without risk of damage due to heat or vibration. Laser welds are completed without flash or part marking, giving parts a superior aesthetic appearance.

The GLX-1 can also safely and non-destructively “un-weld” plastics used in common medical devices and wearables. This disassembly capability enables reclamation and reuse of valuable internal components while enhancing sustainability initiatives and reducing waste.

Thus, the product can support device makers’ increased interest in closed-loop product recycling.

“There is increasing demand for smaller and more intricate high-quality plastic components, often housing sensitive electronic components in a range of important markets,” said Emma Wood, global product manager for non-ultrasonics at Emerson.

“Delivering strong, clean joints and advanced connectivity features in an extremely compact package, the new GLX-1 Laser Welder enables manufacturers to design and efficiently produce the highest-quality products.”

Employs Proven Technology

The GLX-1 welder relies on Emerson’s Simultaneous Through-Transmission Infrared® (STTlr) laser-welding technology. Thus, delivering unmatched production efficiency, weld strength, and aesthetics that typically surpass others with similar plastic welding methods. The GLX-1 delivers weld power using Branson’s high-power laser banks, which offer configurable power levels up to a maximum of 250W per bank.

An advanced servo-driven actuator provides precise, repeatable, closed-loop downforce control, from low to high levels. In addition, an optional, closed-loop pneumatic control is also available.

The results are rapid weld cycle times that support high-volume, high-quality production in a range of applications. Moreover, it guarantees efficient and accurate tool changeover, thanks to a radio frequency identification (RFID) function that recognizes and matches weld recipes with correct production tooling.

The GLX-1 also provides exceptional connectivity and security, with weld data collection, transfer, and security features simplifying weld-data transfer over internal customer networks. Furthermore, operational and security features are accessible through the welder’s intuitive, easy-to-use 12-inch touchscreen HMI. 

The welder ensures maximum security, with 99 levels of customizable password protection. It also connects easily with plant networks to meet industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) or communication requirements, offering Data Interface Gateway (DIG) and Fieldbus interface gateway compatibility, a USB port and an OPC-UA interface.  

11 June 2024