WHAT IS LASER WELDING EQUIPMENT AND HOW TO USE IT?

The laser welder is so named because a laser is used to join metals. It acts as an energy source by heating and melting the metal workpiece. Even dissimilar metals can be joined with a laser. Laser welding is often used in electronics, as it allows you to perform even the smallest work.

There are three types of laser welding:

Laser micro-welding (depth of metal penetration does not exceed 100 microns);
Laser mini-welding (penetration depth is within 0.1-1 mm);
Laser marking (metal penetration depth from 1 mm and more).
Let's give a more detailed description of the technology so that you better understand the essence of laser devices. The device generates a laser beam, which is directed into a special focusing system, where the radiation is narrowed into a beam of smaller diameter.

After narrowing, the laser beam is directed onto the metal workpiece. There, radiation partially penetrates into the metal, but is also partially reflected from it. In the place where the radiation is absorbed, the metal begins to heat up and melt. If you work with a very thin metal, then the beam, on the contrary, needs to be slightly defocused.

As you can see, the technology is simple and straightforward. But for its implementation, high-tech expensive devices are needed. Laser welding can be partial or through, the spatial position of the seam does not play any role. This means that you can form a connection in any spatial position and will not experience difficulties.

Sometimes welding is done in combination with filler materials. It can be wire, powder or special tape.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
Laser technology has several key advantages that make it desirable. First of all, we would like to point out the high accuracy of work performance. As mentioned above, welding of even the thinnest workpieces is possible. At the same time, the metal is not deformed and does not need additional machining.

The second advantage is the high speed of work. Laser systems are capable of welding up to 100 meters of seam per hour. Whereas classic manual arc welding allows you to weld up to 15 meters of a seam per hour, taking into account the constant change of electrodes. And all this when welding steel sheets up to 20 mm thick.