Methodology for the development and testing of multipurpose instrument panels for the automotive interior obtained by laser welding

The consortium constitued by PIEP, Iber-Oleff and Universidade do Minho is developing plastic components for automotive interior multipurpose instrument panels, obtained by injection moulding and using laser welding as a joining process.

The project focuses on three major areas of research – materials, engineering and processing:

• Investigate and develop compositions of polymeric materials through their activation and/or incorporation of charges;
• Investigate and develop work in terms of the geometry of the joint, the geometry of the transparent component to the laser and the effect of processing conditions on the transmission of laser radiation;
• Investigate the influence of injection moulding technological variables on the laser welding process and the joint performance.

The project will allow the exploration of an emerging market niche associated with new generation multipurpose instrument panels, arising in response to the technological evolution associated with the new generation of polymeric products.