Patent ID: 6858104
Filing Date: 2005-02-22
Classification: B23K,B29C,B29L

Abstract:
1. A method for forming a fusion bond between a first polymeric body and a second body comprising the steps of: forming a bond site by positioning a portion of the first polymeric body with respect to a portion of the second body so that a fusion bond is formed; directing laser energy at a bonding wavelength based at least upon the polymeric material of the first polymeric body onto at least a portion of the first polymeric body within the bond site so that a fusion zone is formed by increasing the temperature of at least the portion of the first polymeric body, the laser energy being directed to the bond site thus creating a controllable emissive power spectrum of the fusion zone; detecting a selected wavelength range of the emissive power spectrum of infrared radiation being emitted from the fusion zone while directing the laser energy onto the bond site, the wavelength range being selected based at least in part upon the polymeric material of the first polymeric body; converting the selected wavelength range of the detected emissive power spectrum of infrared radiation into an electrical signal; and controllably adjusting the laser energy that is directed onto the bond site based on the electrical signal to controllably obtain the selected wavelength range of the emissive power spectrum of infrared radiation emitted from the fusion zone.