Laser metal welding offers many advantages compared to traditional welding methods

ADVANTAGES

Laser metal welding offers many advantages compared to traditional welding methods, including:

Non-contact. Laser welding reduces stress on metal pieces. Heat input is also minimal due to the laser’s precise, uniform pulse energy.

Seam quality. Laser welding produces extremely strong welds and even achieves hermetic seals. Using shield gas, our machines control for discoloration and eliminate secondary processing—achieving market-ready weld appearances.

No fillers or consumables. Laser welding doesn’t require filler metals like other methods do, including TIG, MIG and ARC welding, soldering and brazing. With the exception of shield gas, you also don’t need nozzles, tips, electrodes, rods and other consumables.

Easy automation. We integrate software-controlled automation into our laser welding machines—making parameter changes quick and predictable.

Flexibility. We design our welding machines to accommodate many different part sizes and shapes, while optical configurations account for variations in working distances. Robotic integration is also a straightforward process, thanks to our compact head designs and fiber delivery.

METHODS

Heat conduction welding. Used for butt and lap joints, conduction welding maintains a melted pool of metal below and behind the moving laser. Beam mode and focal length affect the weld’s aspect ratio, but in general, conduction welds are wider and shallower than keyhole welds.

Keyhole welding. The laser vaporizes and melts the material. The resulting plasma at the front of the weld enables the laser to penetrate deeper. By precisely controlling the laser’s speed and energy, you can produce deep, narrow welds with no pockets. Laser keyhole welding requires a higher power density compared to conduction welding.

Laser spot welding. This method uses the techniques of conduction welding or laser keyhole welding. Depending on the type of material, its thickness and the size of the weld spot, you can use single-pulse, multiple-pulse or trepanning laser techniques.