JOINING POLYMERIC MATERIALS

摘要

Systems and methods for joining polymeric materials (202, 204, 510, 512) together may use lasers (LB) or broadband infrared heat sources (532). The polymeric materials are arranged in an overlapping manner and then are exposed to the heat producing radiation for a sufficient time to join the polymeric materials together at the overlapped area. Such systems and methods may avoid the need to add an energy absorbing dopant to the materials being joined. Such systems and methods also may be used on transparent materials.