ProjectSOLANACEE

Industrial requirements for joining complex components, particularly in the electronics and high-performance cable sectors, are moving towards more precise, more reliable processes with a lower thermal impact.

In this context, nanosecond laser welding is a promising route. It enables extremely fast laser-material interactions, limiting thermal effects while maintaining high-performance joining capabilities.

However, this type of process is not yet sufficiently mastered:

• process windows are little known
• the physical mechanisms of laser-material interaction remain complex
• the conditions for “quasi-athermal” welding need to be better defined
• validation and inspection tools must be adapted to these ultrafast regimes

The SOLANACÉE project therefore aims to overcome these scientific and technological barriers in order to meet AXON CABLE’s industrial needs.

30-month project, from October 2019 to March 2022

The SOLANACÉE project aims to structure and deepen knowledge of nanosecond laser welding for industrial applications.

Its main objectives are to:

• Advance research on nanosecond laser welding for targeted industrial applications
• Identify sets of process parameters (power, frequency, pulse duration, wavelength, etc.)
• Define the operating ranges enabling quasi-athermal laser-material interaction
• Understand the physical mechanisms associated with these fast interactions
• Implement characterisation and inspection methods suited to the process
• Design an instrumented, compact R&D cell that can be easily integrated into an industrial environment

IREPA LASER contributes its expertise in advanced laser processes and in developing experimental platforms to support the maturing of nanosecond welding.

Exploring nanosecond laser parameters
The project relies on a systematic study of the key process parameters to identify optimal welding conditions:

• power and energy delivered
• pulse frequency and duration
• wavelengths used
• cumulative effects on the material

This exploration makes it possible to define industrially viable process windows.

Understanding the physical mechanisms
An in-depth scientific approach is taken to understand:

• laser-material interaction phenomena at very high repetition rates
• the conditions under which quasi-athermal behaviour occurs
• the mechanisms of weld joint formation

Characterisation and validation of welds
The joints produced are analysed and inspected to verify their compliance with industrial requirements:

• joint quality
• mechanical strength
• process repeatability

Development of an instrumented R&D cell
IREPA LASER contributes to the design of an experimental system that is:

• compact and flexible
• easy to integrate into an industrial environment
• able to test different welding parameters quickly

This cell is a key tool for accelerating technology transfer.

The SOLONACEE project is based on a consortium of recognised expertise:

• AXON CABLE – Industrial requirements and application validation
• IREPA LASER – Scientific and technological development of the nanosecond laser process

• Total project cost: €243,775.70
• FEDER (ERDF) funding: €85,231.00
• Co-funding Région Grand Est + FEDER (additional, depending on the scheme)

The SOLANACÉE project opens up significant prospects for high-precision joining processes.

Improved laser welding processes
Work on nanosecond lasers enables better control of laser-material interactions and reduces undesirable thermal effects.

Access to high-quality joints
Mastery of process parameters yields more reliable and more repeatable welds.

Faster industrial innovation
The instrumented R&D cell makes it possible to test new configurations quickly and accelerate the development of industrial solutions.

Strengthening AXON CABLE’s competitiveness
The project directly contributes to innovation capacity and the performance of joining processes.