The Challenge

Our customers consistently need a robust method for precisely welding small components within medical devices. A natural process candidate is laser welding, but the issues with implementing laser welding systems into production settings can be numerous and challenging. Our customers are often worried about safety issues and weld integrity.

The Solution

As a result of this need, Invotec has developed a standard station platform to supply complete, customizable stations that include integrated part fixturing, fume extraction, and safety circuits. These systems can manually assemble and automatically weld components, verify the integrity of the welded joint, and cut or trim the part as necessary.

These stations typically include:

• Appropriate laser welding system integrated with a laser safe operation enclosure
• Vision-guided weld location positioning
• Fume extractor
• Pull test analog load cell as needed
• Custom part fixturing
• Integrated error-proofing sensors
• Safety circuits
• Integrated PLC and operator interface terminal

The Result

Using the standard station, coupled with the laser welding and cutting technology developed for this type of product, provides a method of assembly for the miniature components that are otherwise difficult to handle.

The series of stations can be used to assemble and safely laser weld, check, and laser cut components with reliability.