In this article, you’ll learn what is laser beam welding and how it is done. It’s working, principle, types, advantages, disadvantages, and application.
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Laser Beam Welding (LBW) is a welding process, in which heat is generated by a high-energy laser beam targeted on the workpiece. The laser beam heats and melts the edges of the workpiece, forming a joint.
The energy of a narrow laser beam is highly concentrated at 10 8 -10 10 W/cm 2 , so a weak weld pool is formed very rapidly (for about 10 -6 sec).
The solidification of the weld pool surrounded by cold metal occurs as rapidly as the melt. Since the time the molten metal is in contact with the atmosphere is low, there is no contamination, and therefore no gradient (neutral gas, flow) is required.
In laser welding (LBM) the joint is made either as a sequence of overlapped spot welds or as a continuous weld. Laser welding is used in the electronics, communications, and aerospace industries, for the manufacture of medical and scientific equipment, joining small components.
A laser beam machine is a machine that is used to generate lasers for welding. The main parts of the laser machine are described below.
It is a computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) in which a laser machine is combined with a computer to perform the welding process. All control actions are performed during the welding process by CAM. This speeds up the welding process to a great extent.
The CAD stands for Computer-aided Design. It is a software in which we can design the job for welding. Here the computer is used to design the workpiece and how welding is done on it.
Shielding gas may be used during the welding process to prevent W/P from oxidizing.
A high-voltage power source is used by the laser machine to produce a laser beam.
The laser beam welding works on the principle that when the electrons of an atom are excited by receiving some energy. And then after some time when it returns to its ground state, it emits a photon of light.
The concentration of this emitted photon is increased by the excited emission of radiation and we get a high-energy focused laser beam. The light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation is called a laser.
Initially, the welding machine is set up (between the two metal pieces to join) at the desired location. Later setup, a high voltage power supply is applied to the laser machine to operate.
The lens is used to focus the laser into the area where welding is required. CAM is used to control the speed of the laser and workpiece table during the welding process.
It starts the machine’s flash lamp and it emits light photons. The energy of light photons is absorbed by the atoms of ruby crystals and electrons are excited to their higher energy levels. When they return to their low energy state or ground state they emit a photon of light.
This light photon again stimulates the electrons of the atom and produces two photons. This process continues and we get a focused laser beam that is used on the desired location for welding multiple pieces together.
These types of lasers use a mixture of gases for the production of lasers. It contains gases such as nitrogen, helium, and CO2 are used as the lasing medium.
These types of laser use many solids in synthetic ruby crystals (chromium in aluminum oxide), neodymium in glass (Nd: glass), and neodymium in yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd-YAG, the most commonly used).
The lasing medium in this type of laser is an optical fiber.
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Two metal components are fused using a laser in the fusion welding process known as laser beam welding. Laser beams provide a concentrated source of heat, focused on the cavity between the two metal pieces.
What are the uses of laser beam welding?Laser welding is a complex welding method utilized in a variety of industries, including automotive, medical, aerospace, electronics, jewelry, and tool and die manufacture.
What is the advantage of laser beam welding?Laser precision enables higher-quality welds, faster productivity, lower post-processing costs, and access to new areas of application.
Is laser welding better than TIG?Compared to conventional welding methods such as arc welding or tig welding, laser welding is much cleaner and therefore reduces contamination risks. In addition, it is easier to automate, more accurate, and allows for the bonding of considerably thinner metals with much higher tensile and bending strength.
Saif M. is a Mechanical Engineer by profession. He completed his engineering studies in 2014 and is currently working in a large firm as Mechanical Engineer. He is also an author and editor at www.theengineerspost.com
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