The Advantages Of Laser Welding

Laser Welding refers to a welding technique in which materials (usually metals but also plastics) are fused together using the heat energy provided by a laser. Unlike traditional forms of welding, a laser produces a highly concentrated heat source which enables precise, narrow welds.

A Laser Welding system can have a spot size (the are being welded) ranging from 0.2mm to 13mm. Because lasers have a high power density the heat affected areas during welding are small and the process is characterized by high heating and cooling rates. Lasers can be used to weld thin metals razor blades (using short pulses) or thicker metal objects (such as car components) by continuously applying the laser to produce higher energy levels and thus deeper welds.

It is a particularly versatile process and can be used in the welding of carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminium and titanium and is characterized by highly accurate, quality welds that can be performed at high speed. This makes it a particularly useful technique in high volume applications and has come to dominate welding processes in the auto manufacturing industry.

Advantages of the technique include the fact that the beam can be transmitted through the air (unlike other techniques that require a vacuum), the process can be easily automated using robotic techniques, no radiation is generated by the process and that higher quality welds result from the process.

Today, Laser Welding is a staple of the metalworking industry and is used in applications that require highly accurate welds. This includes the production of cigarette lighters, watch springs, motor lamination, battery and pacemaker containers and circuit packages. It is a highly versatile process and can also be used for applications such as drilling, cutting, sealing and scribing. The ability of robots and computers to control the laser make it a flexible choice for a range of manufacturing processes.

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