Parts degating apparatus using laser

A parts fabrication apparatus comprising:

• a) a staging fixture that is configured to dispose a severable gate portion of a molded plastic assembly at a first position for separating a releasable molded part from the molded plastic assembly;
• b) a support that is configured as a pivot seating for contact against a portion of the releasable molded part positioned in the staging fixture;
• and
• c) an optical apparatus that has a source of laser light energizable to generate a coherent light beam, wherein the optical apparatus directs the generated coherent light beam in register with the staging fixture and past the support pivot seating and toward the severable gate portion, wherein the coherent light beam has sufficient energy for releasing the molded part.

A method for parts fabrication comprising:

• a) forming a molded plastic assembly that has a connective runner portion with at least one releasable molded part extended from the connective runner portion by a severable gate portion;
• b) releasing the molded part from the molded plastic assembly by positioning the severable gate portion in the path of a coherent light beam that is directed from a laser output aperture;
• and
• c) deflecting a drop path of the released molded part away from the laser output aperture by pivoting the released molded part against a pivot support that is disposed, with respect to the coherent light beam, between the connective runner portion of the molded plastic assembly and the laser output aperture.