Study on Effect of Laser Process Parameters on Laser Transmission Weld Parameters using ANSYS

In recent years, a mode of welding that has garnered a considerable amount of interest is the laser transmission welding of thermoplastics. Laser transmission welding is now being used as an alternative to adhesives to join two thermoplastics. In this study, a finite element model has been developed to simulate the laser transmission welding of polypropylene. The movement of the laser beam was done using a Moving Heat Source in Ansys®. Process parameters namely laser power, welding speed, and the number of passes have been studied in order to investigate their effects on the temperatures and the weld widths achieved during welding. It was found that an increase in the laser power had a positive effect on the maximum temperature at the weld interface as well as the weld width. Similarly, an increase in the welding speed had a negative influence on the maximum temperature at the weld interface as well as the weld width.