Laser Welding
Laser Welding is Becoming More Popular in Automation
Laser equipment for welding, is finding many more applications, in the modern
factory.
As is the case, with many of today's newer technologies, the purchase price,
of laser equipment, is reducing and the performance is rapidly improving.
However, the cost of laser welding, is still the most expensive, of the welding
processes.
The Laser, can give wonderful results, but is a totally unforgiving
process, when it comes to part fit-up.
Any gaps, will greatly effect weld quality, and all steps, must be taken,
to minimize voids, prior to welding.
Great care, must be taken, in fixture design, to ensure intimate part contact -
remember - we are welding with a beam of light!
The types of laser we will consider, are the CO2 and the Nd.YAG.
The CO2 laser, is the oldest of the technologies and is available in higher
powers. It's wavelength of 10.6 microns, means that the laser beam, can only
be guided, from the source, to the work piece, via mirrors. The mirrors, must be
held in accurate alignment and usually cooled.
The Nd.YAG laser's wavelength is 1.06 microns, allowing it to be transmitted
via a fiber optic cable and focused using lenses. This feature, makes
machine design a simpler task, however, 1.06 microns, is close to visible light,
thus harmful to the human eye.
To this end, all Nd.YAG lasers, must be contained within a Class 1, light tight
enclosure. (This is certified by the welding system manufacturer.)
To further complicate matters, we should consider 2 types of Nd.YAG lasers-lamp
pumped and diode pumped.
The lamp pumped laser, is the original technology and is available, in power
ratings, up to 4KW. Lamp life is always an issue, and users are constantly
struggling, to achieve 1,000 hours. The latest type, is the diode pumped laser.
The modern diodes give high power and long life, and are available in different
wavelengths.
The advantages of laser welds are:
- A minimum, of distortion, due to weld heat. -Applications include welding
components, AFTER machining, e.g. welding a transmission gear to a shaft, with
NO machining, after welding.
- Minimal heat effected zone.
- Excellent metallurgical weld quality.
- Increased travel speeds.
- Non-contact welding.
For
laser welding equipment manufacturers, try these links:
Trumpf.
Rofin
Please note that the above listed companies are by no means the only
manufacturers, nor the only ones we have used, over the years, but they do make an
excellent product, THAT IN THE CORRECT APPLICATION, should give years of trouble
free service.
To find out more
about how your company can benefit from using laser welding equipment, please feel free to contact us.
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