Some Useful Guides To Buy the Laser

Welding Machine
Laser welding is a welding technique by radiating laser beam to the surface
of processing workpieces and focalizing laser beam through optical system in order
to form a highly concentrated heat-affected zone in very short time, where the
cooling crystallization of welding zone becomes solid welding spot and weld joint.
According to different types and working modes of laser, the common laser welding
methods can be divided into two types one is pulse laser welding which is mainly
used in thin metal; another one is continuous laser welding which is used for big and
thick workpieces.

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The welding effects are mainly influenced by the choices of welding material, laser
welding machine and processing workbench. While whether melding would occur
and the melding degree are determined by the time laser works on the material
surface and power density as well as peak power. As long as the above parameters
are well controlled, various laser welding can be carried on. Beam focal position is
one of the most important parameters in laser welding process, only when the focus
is within the optimum location scope, the best penetration and weld shape can be
achieved.

Major characteristics of laser welding

The major traits of laser welding are as following:
1. Laser welding is non-contact welding, so it needs no pressing in the process. It is
high in weld speed, efficacy, depth and it has little deformation. Laser welding can
take place either in room temperature or special condition (such as closed space),
which need simple welding equipment and generates no X-ray.
2. It is able to weld refractory metal materials, even non-metallic material like
china and organic glass. Special-shaped material also can be welded since laser
welding is quite flexible and is able to apply remote welding.
3. Slight flare can be generated by focused laser beams which can positioning
precisely and be applied in mass automatic production of micro and
small workpieces' installation and welding.
4. Beam split is easy to be realized by time and space and multiple beam can be
processed all at once, providing conditions for more precise welding.
5. It has no problems like tool wear and tool change since laser welding
is non-contact processing. It doesn't need to use electrode, so there is no worry
about electrode pollution or damage. Laser welding is easy to auto-welding in high
speed. It can be digitally controlled or controlled by computer. However, there are
some limits of laser welding
First, the cost and initial equipment investment on laser and the relevant systems are
high.
Secondly, it requires high assembly accuracy for weld in processing period and
it should have no obvious deviation of beam on workpieces.
Moreover, the weld thickness is less than that of electron beam welding and it is
difficult to weld metal of high reflectivity.

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Techniques of laser welding
1. Welding between slices. It usually adopts manual and automatic
welding, including butt welding, end welding, central through melt welding
and center hole melt welding.
2. Welding between wires. It typically adopts manual and semi-automatic welding,
including wire & wire butt welding, cross welding, parallel overlap welding and
T-type welding.
3. Welding between wire and block element. Laser welding makes it possible to
connect wire and block element and the block can be any shapes. The dimensions of
wire should be noted.
4. Welding between different metals. It is possible for some particular
combination of materials for welding between different metals. It should
pay attention to the weldability and welding parameter range.
5. Repairing welding between block elements. It usually applied in repairing mould.

Parameters that Influence the Quality of Laser Welding Machine

1. Laser pulse energy
Laser pulse energy is the maximum output energy from a single laser pulse. It is a
major parameter of laser which determines the maximum energy of laser. When
applied in mould repairing, laser energy below 70J can meet demands in any
occasion. Too much energy is just a waste and has no use at all, which brings
increasing volume of power supply and reduces the efficiency.
2. Laser beam flare diameter
Laser beam flare diameter is a key parameter to reflect performance of laser
design, which determines the power density and processing scope of laser. If
the optical design is professional, 0.2mm-2mm is the best scope for laser beam
flare diameter. It is a strict test for laser whether the laser beam flare diameter can be
controlled as 0.2mm.
3. Laser pulse frequency
Laser pulse frequency reflects the amount of pulse energy produced by laser in a
second. When applied in mould repairing, 15Hz is enough for welding. Too high
frequency will make too low pulse energy, thus making welding failed.
4. Laser pulse waveform and relative light absorption rate of materials to be welded.
Laser pulse waveform is also an important problem in laser welding process. When
high strength of laser beam reaches the material surface, 60 %~98% of the laser
energy will be lost by reflection and the reflectivity is changeable by the temperature
of the material of surface. As a result, it should input laser of different waveforms
according to different metal, so as to make the composition of crystallization in weld
joint is the same to the base metal, achieving high-quality weld joint.
5. Temperance characteristics feedback control method and choice of power
waveform
When it comes to the choice of laser power waveform, in the condition of same

laser energy, the wider the pulse width, the larger the welding spot; the higher the
peak power the deeper the welding spot.

Quality Control of Laser Welding

With the development of laser, laser welding technology is continuing to mature.
However, various questions and problems may occur in the practical welding
process. It is a very crucial part to know how to distinguish the causes and how to
solve the quality problems.
First, it is necessary to check the quality of welding quality.
There are visual inspection and destructive inspection. Visual inspection is a way to
judge whether the welding products are qualified by working experience, which is
insufficient to reach a decision. So destructive inspection is needed, in which
welding base metal will be torn to confirm the quality. Moreover, tensile strength
test is a plus.
Secondly, analyze the causes according to the phenomenon. Generally speaking,
if welding fabrication defects appear, it is probably the problem of material which
should be checked and changed; if defects appear in the same part of the products, it
is probably the problem of workbench and fixture; if weld penetration and dry joint
occur occasionally, it is necessary to check energy stability of welding machine or
workbench or fixture.
Thirdly, strengthen welding quality assurance management. In welding process, first,
press instrument is necessary to check and ensure stable pressure; secondly,
monitoring on electricity is a must to avoid undulation of supply voltage; thirdly, pay
attention to the thickness of the workpieces and cladding material as well as the
metal composition to avoid defective weld products.
Matters Needing Attention for Laser Welding
Just like ordinary lights, laser also has bioeffects which can benefit human as well

as damage human eyes, skin and nervous system without protection. In order to
ensure safety and protection in welding process, it must be under strict control on
laser hazard and special attention should be paid to engineering control, personal
protection and security management.
1. Engineering control
Engineering control means the safety precautions on the structure of laser or Laser
process system, which includes shield, safety interlock, safety light path,
key-operated switch and beam termination.
2. Personal protection
It mainly means wearing laser protective clothing, eyeglasses, mask and gloves.
3. Security management
Security management contains setting up specialized agency or personnel
and clarifying the responsibility as well as rights, including safety training and
medical monitoring, etc.