Abstract: A waveguide for plastic welding has an entry end, an exit end as well as a first and a second inner face arranged between the entry end and the exit end, which are arranged opposite to each other and by means of which laser light can be reflected. A first distance between the entry end and the exit end defines a length of the waveguide and a second distance between the first and the second inner face defines a thickness of the waveguide. The exit end may be arranged opposite to the entry end and a central plane of the waveguide may extend centrally from the entry end to the exit end. The first inner face comprises a continuously curved, concave shape so that a third distance between the first inner face and the central plane varies continuously from the entry end in the direction of the exit end.

Abstract: A waveguide for plastic welding has an entry end, an exit end as well as a first and a second inner face arranged between the entry end and the exit end, which are arranged opposite to each other and by means of which laser light can be reflected. A first distance between the entry end and the exit end defines a length of the waveguide and a second distance between the first and the second inner face defines a thickness of the waveguide. The exit end may be arranged opposite to the entry end and a central plane of the waveguide may extend centrally from the entry end to the exit end. The first inner face comprises a continuously curved, concave shape so that a third distance between the first inner face and the central plane varies continuously from the entry end in the direction of the exit end.

Abstract: A waveguide for plastic welding has an entry end, an exit end as well as a first and a second inner face arranged between the entry end and the exit end, which are arranged opposite to each other and by means of which laser light can be reflected. A first distance between the entry end and the exit end defines a length of the waveguide and a second distance between the first and the second inner face defines a thickness of the waveguide. The exit end may be arranged opposite to the entry end and a central plane of the waveguide may extend centrally from the entry end to the exit end. The first inner face comprises a continuously curved, concave shape so that a third distance between the first inner face and the central plane varies continuously from the entry end in the direction of the exit end.

Abstract: A waveguide for plastic welding has an entry end, an exit end as well as a first and a second inner face arranged between the entry end and the exit end, which are arranged opposite to each other and by means of which laser light can be reflected. A first distance between the entry end and the exit end defines a length of the waveguide and a second distance between the first and the second inner face defines a thickness of the waveguide. The exit end may be arranged opposite to the entry end and a central plane of the waveguide may extend centrally from the entry end to the exit end. The first inner face comprises a continuously curved, concave shape so that a third distance between the first inner face and the central plane varies continuously from the entry end in the direction of the exit end.

Abstract: A waveguide for plastic welding has an entry end, an exit end as well as a first and a second inner face arranged between the entry end and the exit end, which are arranged opposite to each other and by means of which laser light can be reflected. A first distance between the entry end and the exit end defines a length of the waveguide and a second distance between the first and the second inner face defines a thickness of the waveguide. The exit end may be arranged opposite to the entry end and a central plane of the waveguide may extend centrally from the entry end to the exit end. The first inner face comprises a continuously curved, concave shape so that a third distance between the first inner face and the central plane varies continuously from the entry end in the direction of the exit end.

Abstract: A waveguide for plastic welding has an entry end, an exit end as well as a first and a second inner face arranged between the entry end and the exit end, which are arranged opposite to each other and by means of which laser light can be reflected. A first distance between the entry end and the exit end defines a length of the waveguide and a second distance between the first and the second inner face defines a thickness of the waveguide. The exit end may be arranged opposite to the entry end and a central plane of the waveguide may extend centrally from the entry end to the exit end. The first inner face comprises a continuously curved, concave shape so that a third distance between the first inner face and the central plane varies continuously from the entry end in the direction of the exit end.

Abstract: A waveguide segment with two sub-segments including a first sub-segment with a first wall and a second wall, each having an inner face by which laser light can be reflected. The inner faces are opposite to each other and a depth of the sub-segment is defined by a distance between the first and the second inner face. Further, each wall has an exit side, and an opposite entry side, a height defined by the distance between the exit and the entry side and a width. At least part of the entry side of each wall extends in an angle to the height, for which applies: 0°<?<90°. The second sub-segment may be formed complementary and the second sub-segment has a portion at the exit side of each wall. Laser light passing through the second sub-segment enters the first sub-segment between the first and the second portion.

Abstract: A waveguide segment with two sub-segments including a first sub-segment with a first wall and a second wall, each having an inner face by which laser light can be reflected. The inner faces are opposite to each other and a depth of the sub-segment is defined by a distance between the first and the second inner face. Further, each wall has an exit side, and an opposite entry side, a height defined by the distance between the exit and the entry side and a width. At least part of the entry side of each wall extends in an angle to the height, for which applies: 0°<?<90°. The second sub-segment may be formed complementary and the second sub-segment has a portion at the exit side of each wall. Laser light passing through the second sub-segment enters the first sub-segment between the first and the second portion.

Abstract: A waveguide for plastic welding has an entry end, an exit end as well as a first and a second inner face arranged between the entry end and the exit end, which are arranged opposite to each other and by means of which laser light can be reflected. A first distance between the entry end and the exit end defines a length of the waveguide and a second distance between the first and the second inner face defines a thickness of the waveguide. The exit end may be arranged opposite to the entry end and a central plane of the waveguide may extend centrally from the entry end to the exit end. The first inner face comprises a continuously curved, concave shape so that a third distance between the first inner face and the central plane varies continuously from the entry end in the direction of the exit end.

Abstract: A baffled optical waveguide has a body shaped to partially or wholly surround a part or parts being processed by being illuminated with light. The body has optical baffles therein that define light channels through which the light travels as it transits the baffled optical waveguide. Outlets of the light channels are adjacent an opening in the body which receives an area or areas of the parts or parts being processed. Each light channel homogenizes the light as it transits through that light channel. The optical baffles that define the light channels keep light from diverging in the baffled optical waveguide as it transits through the light channels. In an aspect, a part (or parts) is processed by illuminating it with light via the baffled optical waveguide.