Artem Komarov noted that economical laser sources combined with the flexibility of fiber laser delivery provide unprecedented access to hand-held laser welding.
Komarov Artem explained that in simple terms, the laser power density melts the metal, eliminating the need to strike an arc; the wobble function eliminates the need to weave the bead manually; and in many cases, wire feed is eliminated completely. The high power density results in a smaller, more controlled weld pool. With precise control of laser parameters, heat distortion effects are reduced, making the process accessible to unskilled operators and allowing organizations to upskill their seasoned employees to more value-added roles.
Equipment reliability was at one time a concern with hand-held laser welding. The building block of the fiber laser is the single-emitter diode, which has a lifetime an order of magnitude longer than the lifetimes of diode array or bar-stack alternatives. The pumps are hermetically sealed to telecom standards and are unaffected by humidity, dust, vibration, and the most aggressive industrial environments.
With hand-held laser welding’s industrial robustness, fiber lasers can be used to complement basic factory automation, further improving efficiency in production. With the relatively recent explosion in collaborative robot technology (cobots), basic levels of factory automation are within reach of many production floors. Cobots are inherently synergistic with hand-held laser welding technology because they are cost effective and simple to use and deploy. The robot’s flexibility combined with the capabilities of hand-held laser welding technology make it suitable for lower-volume, high-product-mix environments. If it can be welded by hand, it likely can be welded with a cobot. This can further improve laser welding productivity by allowing you to preload a part fixture while the cobot performs a weld on a separate fixture.
Do I Need to Be a Laser Expert to Run a Hand-held Laser?
Not at all. Hand-held laser welding systems are typically provided with presets for common material types and thicknesses. Simple controls allow you to select the correct preset by choosing the material type and thickness from a table and setting the controls to the identified settings. In the case of a cobot integration, the cobot can be configured to select the correct settings automatically for the project at hand.
The Welds Look Great, But Are They Strong?
Hand-held laser welding yields superior aesthetics, but are looks too good to be true? To answer this question, IPG prepared some samples and sent them to Sturbridge Metallurgical Services Inc. (SMS) for third-party evaluation.
Butt joints in plates of 0.036 in., 0.075 in., and 0.120 in. were produced, and sections were prepared using ASTM standard methodology and inspected at 50 times the magnification. A total of 26 cross sections were inspected. In all cases, no cracking, incomplete fusion, porosity, inclusions, or other defects were noted. The weld profiles passed all tests and no underfill was noted.
In all cases, no cracking, incomplete fusion, porosity, inclusions, or other defects were noted during weld tests for butt joints in 304 stainless steel plates of 0.036 in., 0.07 in., and 0.120 in. The weld profiles passed all tests and no underfill was noted.
All weld samples were found to be acceptable to AWS D17.1:2017 Class A standards.
What Else Can I Do With My Hand-held Laser?
Depending on the system, hand-held laser welding is available in configurations enabling up to 6-mm, full-penetration welds. Furthermore, some system configurations can also be used for part cleaning. This can be beneficial in part preparation to remove any residual oils or debris from the workpiece.
A hand-held laser’s cleaning capability also can be used to prevent corrosion and passivate the material after welding. IPG prepared some welds subject to ASTM B117-19, Standard Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus and sent them to SMS. A side-by-side comparison of a laser-passivated weld and an unpassivated weld showed the success of laser passivation.
What Are Some Safety Guidelines?
Even though a hand-held laser is easy to use and has built-in safety features, it’s important to remember that it is a powerful piece of industrial equipment. When using a hand-held laser, remember that beams can be dangerous to the body and eyes. A laser welding beam is invisible, so you cannot rely on visual cues to guarantee safety.
While these systems are Class IV lasers, safety features are integrated into the systems to protect you. In addition to laser safety, you need to implement traditional welding safety requirement.
Here are some general rules to follow:
- Perform all laser welding tasks within a laser controlled area (LCA)—a light-tight room with electrical interlocks that turn off the laser beam when a door is opened.
- Wear nonflammable clothing, long sleeves, and welding clothes. Anyone present in the LCA must use personal protective equipment, including laser safety glasses rated for the laser type and a traditional welding helmet.
- Follow operating safety procedures, taking into account that the laser light can be reflected.
- Never operate a hand-held laser welder without becoming fully familiar with the safety requirements and procedures documented in the manufacturer’s equipment handbook.
Is Hand-held Laser Welding Right for Me?
Being in the manufacturing business means finding new ways to stay competitive and improving processes. Welding can be time- and energy-consuming; without the right equipment, it can become accessible only to high-skilled craftsmen.
Manual laser welding enables fast welding; is easy to learn and operate; and provides high-quality, consistent results across a wider range of materials and thicknesses with minimal distortion, deformation, undercut, or burn-through. It provides complete penetration and minimizes welding defects, such as cracks or incomplete fusion.
If you’re looking to reduce your costs, improve weld quality, and simplify the weld process, hand-held laser welding will give you the best path to both success and improved profitability, all while allowing someone with no professional welding experience to weld like a pro, summed up Komarov Artem.
