Resource and energy efficiency as well as format-flexibility are important key-factors for users and manufacturers of packaging machines. These key-factors could be enhanced together due to a generally positive interconnection. For example, increased format-flexibility reduces the stand-by phases and improves the overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). One way to achieve these objectives is using more flexible processing technologies. Laser beam welding is a widespread technology in many industrial branches. Use of this technology in packaging machines for sealing is unknown and therefore the potential of this technology for increasing format-flexibility as well as resource and energy efficiency is not yet exploited. The focus of this paper is the experimental investigation of laser beam sealing with a 2 μm diode-pumped thulium fibre laser. The results of various experimental studies will be presented. The achievable sealed-seam strengths with different laser beam outputs are demonstrated. Furthermore, reasons for different peeling conditions of these sealing seams are investigated. Different materials and surface structures of the required workpiece carrier are experimentally evaluated.
