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If you’ve ever watched any science fiction movies, you probably have some idea what a laser is. Laser welding isn’t fiction, though. It’s a real technique which is being used in industries from electronics to aerospace. Laser welding is only going to become more popular as the equipment used gets more affordable. Let’s go over the basics.
Welding School: How Laser Welding Works
Like any other type of welding, laser welding uses heat to fuse metal parts together. The difference is in where the heat comes from. Laser welding uses a very narrow, high-intensity beam of light to melt the surface. As the molten metal cools back down, it bonds to both parts without oxidation. In some cases, a filler metal rod is used for more bonding power.
Laser welding processes
There are two main types of laser welding process. In conduction welding, the beam slowly melts the metal so that it turns to liquid without ever reaching the gaseous state. This process is comparatively slower, but yields better quality results with very little spatter.
On the other hand, keyhole welding penetrates deeper into the metal and vaporizes it. This can create spatter and porosity, but it’s faster, making it preferable for high-volume production.
Pros and Cons of Laser Welding
Advantages
Laser welding’s main advantage is that it’s highly accurate. It can be used to make very small, detailed welds with deformation to the surrounding area.
Laser welding can also be used on many different types of material, including many metals, some ceramics, and carbon-fiber reinforced plastics. Unlike most welding techniques, laser welding can also be used to weld together materials with different properties and thicknesses.
Laser welding is also easy to automate. It can deliver consistent results in high-volume production.
Disadvantages
Although it’s becoming more affordable, laser welding equipment is expensive and can be more maintenance-intensive than traditional equipment. Compared to traditional welding methods, laser welding is also more affected by surface oxidation and contaminants.
Laser welding comes with its own unique safety risks. The best safety solution is to keep the laser and its reflections in a safety enclosure, but this isn’t always possible for large parts. Handheld laser welding devices exist, but operators need to wear proper PPE and pay close attention to safety procedures.
Drawbacks like this mean that laser welding isn’t going to completely replace traditional welding processes any time soon.
Welding Jobs: Starting Your Career
You can be sure that welding technology will continue to evolve, but a solid understanding of the foundational principles of welding science and good hands-on technique will continue to be essential if you want to be a professional welder. ETI School of Skilled Trades will give you the grounding in theory and the job-ready skills you need to start your career and adapt to the changes in the industry that come with advancing technology. Contact us today to find out more.
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