Absorber-Free Quasi-Simultaneous Laser Welding For Microfluidic Applications

Absorber-free laser transmission welding is a novel welding technique which enables joining of polymers with the same optical properties. As no absorber is needed, this method is especially predestined for the encapsulation of transparent polymers for life science applications such as microfluidic d...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of laser micro nanoengineering Vol. 14; no. 3; pp. 255 - 261
Main Authors Nguyen, Nam-Phong, Brosda, Maximilian, Olowinsky, Alexander, Gillner, Arnold
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Ibaraki Japan Laser Processing Society 01.12.2019
Reza Netsu Kako Kenkyukai
Subjects
Absorbers
Contours
Cracks
Encapsulation
Energy
Feed rate
Heat conductivity
Heat distribution
Investigations
Laser beam welding
Lasers
Life sciences
Microfluidic devices
Novels
Optical properties
Polymer melts
Polymers
Shape
Technology application
Thermal stress
Welding
Germany
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:Absorber-free laser transmission welding is a novel welding technique which enables joining of polymers with the same optical properties. As no absorber is needed, this method is especially predestined for the encapsulation of transparent polymers for life science applications such as microfluidic devices. Due to the high welding seam densities and lengths of microfluidic devices, it is crucial to keep the thermal stress low in order to avoid the formation of cracks and distortions. On top of that, a melt flow into the channel structures has to be avoided to ensure the correct operation of the device. Therefore, a precise energy deposition into the interface during the welding process has been the subject of research for many years. One promising approach is a quasi-simultaneous welding technique where the laser beam is guided along the welding contour multiple times at high feed rates of up to several m/s. In the present work, a welding process is developed to encapsulate microfluidic devices by using this technique. In order to avoid heat accumulation, the welding contour was divided in several segments. By defining an irradiation sequence for each segment, a homogenous heat distribution on the sample can be achieved. Keywords: laser welding, transparent polymers, microfluidic devices
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-2
content type line 14
ISSN:1880-0688
1880-0688
DOI:10.2961/jlmn.2019.03.0009