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What Is Laser Welding and How Does It Work?
Laser welding uses intense laser energy to weld metals and thermoplastic materials together. nexAir's LightWELD is an example of a top-shelf laser welding system.
Developed in the late 1960s, laser welding generates heat at high speeds and penetrates deep into surfaces. It was developed out of the need for a welding technique that offered precision and accuracy. It also answered the need for welding at any angle. This allows for less reworking caused by material shifting. Laser welding is designed to give operators enhanced control and greater flexibility. In fact, most automated welding systems today use laser welding systems.
What Advantages Does Laser Welding Offer Clients Like You?
Laser welding is popular in many industries. The automotive, aerospace and shipbuilding industries use it for mass production. It is also popular for electronics and precision tool fabrication.
Unlike manual or traditional welding techniques, laser welding produces consistent results every time. It can weld a variety of materials and thicknesses with minimal distortion. The resulting welds are more precise, and stronger, and the finish is exceptional. That's why laser welding is used for high-volume manufacturing work.
What Metals and Materials Can Be Laser Welded?
Laser welding is a precision-based method of welding with greater versatility and use. It is used on a wide variety of materials including but not limited to:
Various types of steels (carbon, mild, alloy, stainless, and die steel, to name a few)
Aluminum alloy and copper-nickel alloys
Titanium, platinum, tungsten, and other metals used for jewelry, medical, dental, and surgical equipment
Metals and thermoplastics used in manufacturing and fabrication applications
What’s the Maximum Production Speed of Laser Welding?
Laser welding is considered the fastest welding method available today. It is up to four times faster than traditional welding methods. What would take welders using the traditional welding methods eight work hours to finish, can be completed in two hours or less using laser welding.
This speed and precision translate into significantly shorter turnaround times. Another bonus is that your after-weld work (cleaning and polishing off the weld seams) is greatly reduced. All this time and effort saved can mean a big difference in your production timelines and project goals. The time that you saved means savings in overhead costs. It frees up more hours that you can use to take on more projects.
How Strong Are Laser-Welded Parts?
To test for the strength of laser beam welded seams, two types of tests are used. These are the non-destructive (NDT) and the mechanical (or destructive) tests.
The most common NDT is the electrical resistance test. It is used to determine the overall quality of your laser welds. Other non-destructive tests used are the eddy current, the laser ultrasonic, and the magnetic particle tests.
For strength and mechanical performance, the cross-sectional examination, the hardness measurement, as well as bend and pull test are used. They test the weld seams and joints to the breaking point. They are performed on test pieces, not on final workpieces rolled out of production.
In a 2016 study published in the Journal of Advanced Research, researchers analyzed the strength of laser-welded alloy steel. They discovered that the seams were 9% stronger than the base metals. Furthermore, they had a yield strength of 550 MPa.
Get the Right Laser Welding Solutions with nexAir
Want to more about laser welding, its benefits, and how you can fit it into your production process? Let us know.
Here at nexAir, we provide laser welding solutions-from products like our LightWELD laser welding systems to service and support for all your laser welding needs. We can help you determine whether a laser welding system is right for your business or not. We can also help you decide what type of welding system would best fit your fabrication or manufacturing needs, laser or traditional.
If you need a top-shelf laser welding solution for your needs, please contact us today. If you’re unsure, tell us more about your needs and we’ll help you find out what the best solution is for your fabrication or manufacturing needs.