Gentex to demo laser welding with Clearweld® coatings, resins at K 2004

6/5/2004

Gentex Corporation will demonstrate its patented Clearweld technology for laser welding plastics, using both coatings and parts molded from resins containing the company's proprietary near-IR absorbents, at the K 2004 International Trade Fair, October 20-27, Düsseldorf Messe, Germany, Hall 11, Stand D28. Laser equipment will be provided by Gentex's Clearweld marketing partners, Branson Ultrasonics Corporation and Bielomatic.

In addition, Gentex will introduce a line of liquid-dispensing equipment designed specifically for applying its Clearweld coatings to plastic parts to be laser welded. Since announcing Clearweld two years ago, Gentex has established strategic supply-chain partnerships to facilitate implementation of the technology. These partnerships include plastics joining companies, laser and application equipment manufacturers and additive suppliers.

The Clearweld process employs specialty coatings and resins to provide unprecedented color and design flexibility in laser welding clear and opaque plastics. These light-absorbing materials focus laser energy and convert it to heat. Localized heating at the interface of two pieces of plastic to be joined produces strong, hermetically sealed welds with minimal thermal and mechanical stress, no particulates and very little flash, making it ideal for applications ranging from micro-fluidics to electronic packaging components.

Clearweld was developed jointly by TWI, a U.K.-based industrial research and development organization that specializes in material joining, and Gentex, which retains the sole right to commercialize the technology worldwide.

About Gentex
Established in 1892, Gentex is a privately owned corporation with four operating units: helmet systems, performance materials, respiratory products and electro-acoustic products. One of the company's major markets is defense, encompassing both U.S. armed forces and the military units of other nations. The company is a world leader in both military and commercial markets with extensive research and development capabilities.