Laser welding is a modern technological method that has become one of the key processes in metal manufacturing in recent years. It combines the advantages of high precision, speed and joint quality, making it an ideal choice for many industries.
It is particularly suitable for welding thin metal materials up to a thickness of approximately 4 mm. The highest yield of this progressive technology is found in welding longer butt welds, as well as internal and external corner welds.
What you want to know about laser welding
- How does laser welding of metals work?
- Advantages of laser welding
- Where is laser welding used?
- Methods of laser welding of metals
- Preparation for laser welding
- How does laser welding work?
- Quality control of laser welding
- Processing of weldments
- Safety in laser welding
- Welding price
How does laser metal welding work?
In laser welding, metallic materials are joined using a concentrated laser beam at high speed. This beam melts the material at a point, creating a joint between two metal parts. The welding process takes place at high temperatures, and the laser beam is able to achieve an extremely high concentration of energy in a very small area, which allows for the creation of thin but strong joints.
For thicker materials, laser welding can achieve deep and narrow welds. Laser welding is very precise, making it suitable for applications where high weld quality and precision are required.
Advantages of laser welding
Laser welding offers a number of advantages over traditional welding methods such as arc welding or TIG/MIG welding. Its main advantages include:
- High precision – The laser beam allows extremely precise control over the location and size of the weld. This is advantageous when welding thin materials or creating complex geometries.
- Speed – Laser welding is faster than traditional methods, which increases productivity and reduces labor costs.
- Minimal thermal impact – Due to the high concentration of energy at the welding point, heat does not spread to surrounding materials. This minimizes the risk of deformation, changes in the material structure and loss of strength.
- Wide applicability – Laser welding can be used on a wide range of materials, including steel, aluminum, titanium, copper and others, making it a flexible technology for various industrial applications.
- Weld cleanliness and aesthetics – Laser welding provides smooth, clean joints with minimal residual products, which means less post-processing and a better appearance of the joint
- No need for filler materials – In some cases, there is no need to use filler materials, which simplifies the process and reduces costs
- Low maintenance costs and long equipment life – Laser welders typically have low maintenance requirements and a long service life, which contributes to the advantages of this method.
Where is laser welding used?
Laser welding is used in a wide range of industries, and is ideal where precision, speed and joint quality are important. Some of the most common industrial applications include:
Automotive industry
Laser welding is used in the production of car bodies and structural parts, where its high precision in welding thin sheets and complex shapes comes in handy.
Aerospace
High quality, precision and strength of joints are absolutely required here, which is why laser welding is a welcome technology for joining parts in aircraft and space vehicles.
Electronics and telecommunications
Laser welding is also used in the production of detailed electronic components, such as parts of mobile phones, computers, optical fibers, and more.
Healthcare
In the production of medical devices and implants, laser welding is ideal for achieving strong and precise joints in small and delicate components.
Mechanical engineering and metalworking
Laser welding, of course, has its traditional place across metal production, both in simple weldments and in the production of complex and precise parts.
Energy and renewable resources:
Laser welding is also used in the production of components for the energy industry, including the production of parts for solar panels and wind turbines.
Laser metal welding methods
Heat conduction welding (Conduction welding)
This method is suitable for welding thin materials. The laser beam melts the material over a wider area, resulting in shallow welds.
Keyhole welding (Deep welding)
This method is used for welding thicker materials. The laser beam penetrates the material, creating a narrow and deep hole that gradually fills with molten material, creating strong and permanent joints.
Preparation for laser welding
Preparing for laser welding involves several key steps to ensure optimal results:
- Material Selection – It is important to select materials that are suitable for laser welding. Some materials may require additional processing or special techniques to ensure a quality joint.
- Material Edge Preparation – Before welding, the material must be treated, which may include cutting, grinding or other processes to achieve clean edges that will ensure a quality weld.
- Laser Parameter Setting – Selecting the correct laser beam parameters, such as power, beam width, movement speed and more, is essential to achieving the desired weld quality.
- Temperature Control – Before welding, it is necessary to ensure optimal temperature conditions to avoid material deformation or incomplete melting.
How does laser welding work?
Laser beam generation – A laser welder generates an intense light beam that concentrates high energy.
Focusing the beam on the material – The laser beam is focused on the surface of the material, where it is concentrated in a very small area, which leads to the melting of the metal.
Melting and joining of materials – At the point where the laser beam hits the material, a weld pool is created, which connects the two parts of the weldment.
Solidification and formation of the joint – After the laser beam stops, the material quickly solidifies, creating a strong and permanent joint.
Laser welding quality control
Quality control is a key step in the welding process, as it ensures that the joint is strong, safe and meets the specified requirements. Therefore, after laser welding, we perform the necessary tests to identify any flaws or defects in the weld that could affect its strength, safety or overall functionality of the product.
Processing of weldments
After laser welding, cleaning may be required to remove any weld deposits, oxide layers or contaminants, ensuring optimum surface quality and readiness for further machining or finishing. This includes grinding, which smooths out irregularities and ensures a smooth weld surface, improving the overall appearance and functionality of the weldment.
Our workers also need protective equipment, such as sturdy shoes and sturdy protective clothing, leather gloves, aprons and a welding helmet. As a responsible employer, we also ensure that our welding workplace always complies with safety and hygiene regulations and other legal standards. This includes the right climatic conditions in the workshop and exhaust ventilation, as well as regular maintenance of welding machines and other tools.
Welding price
The price of laser welding depends on several factors such as the type of material, the complexity of the welded part, the thickness of the material, the batch size and the quality requirements. Please contact us for an accurate quote.
