Did you know? The foundation of today’s industrial laser plastic welding was built 27 years ago by a single Swiss engineering team – the original NOVOLAS (formerly Leister’s LPW division). That pivotal moment turned a laboratory concept into reliable mass production, setting a defining groundbreaking milestone for the entire advanced manufacturing industry.
This year, we’re looking back at two breakthrough innovations that permanently changed what’s possible in plastic joining:
Mask Welding for Hundred-Micron Level Precision
NOVOLAS pioneered industrial mask welding, achieving hundred-micron-level precision by selectively directing laser energy through a mask to create exact joining patterns. Combined with a highly collimated light-sheet beam, this enables rapid and homogeneous area welding.
Winner of the prestigious Swiss Technology Award 2000, this innovation was recognized for pioneering the transition of laser plastic welding into the realm of micro-scale applications. Today, it remains the global gold standard for high-precision products such as microfluidic chips, medical devices, and other precision-welded components.
Globo-Welding: Redefining 3D Welding Boundaries
Before Globo-Welding, laser plastic welding of complex 3D geometries was heavily bottlenecked by the need for costly, customized clamping fixtures. Our team revolutionized this by introducing an air-bearing glass ball lens that combines the laser beam and the clamping force into a single, dynamic tool.
Honored with the Swiss Technology Award 2004, Globo-Welding expanded laser plastic welding concept into macro-scale and 3D application and enabled fixture-free, true 3D welding on complex curved parts without scale constraints. From automotive headlights to large-format flexible films, it delivered consistent, seamless and flash-free welds – becoming the technical cornerstone for virtually all modern 3D plastic laser welding systems.
Leadership and Legacy in Innovation
Dr. Jie-Wei Chen, who led the original R&D team 27 years ago, is the innovator behind both technologies. Today, as CEO of HYMSON NOVOLAS AG, Dr. Chen continues to drive innovation forward – proving that great engineering never stands still.
When Hymson acquired Leister’s laser plastic welding business and established HYMSON NOVOLAS, it was more than a strategic business integration. It was a commitment to preserving and elevating Swiss engineering heritage while powering the next era of smart manufacturing worldwide.
Backed by 27 years of proven technology, we remain dedicated to pushing the limits of precision joining for the medical, automotive, electronics, and industrial sectors globally.
