Trumpf Acquires Laser Plastic Welding, Soldering Technology

Trumpf Laser GmbH + Co. KG of Ditzingen, Germany, announced yesterday that it has acquired the laser plastic welding and selective laser soldering capabilities of Fisba Optik AG for an undisclosed amount, effective Feb. 1. Trumpf said the acquisition allows it to make a wider range of laser system applications available to its customers, and the company plans to offer its own brand of laser systems for laser plastic welding and laser soldering. Laser welding of plastics, a relatively new jointing process, is an extremely flexible method that involves gently heating the joint within a closely limited area to form high-strength joints. Since the parts are not exposed to vibration stress, there is no abrasion and no release of particles that could cause problems, such as in liquid or gas systems. Selective laser soldering is used to meet the increasing demand for electronic connections to sensitive components or to components already fitted into plastic housings. Fisba Optik AG, based in St. Gallen, Switzerland, specializes in precision optics, optical systems and metrology instruments.