We're glad you asked.
Laser welding is how it sounds. We use a very powerful, highly focused beam of light to melt metal in tiny little spots. But, as you can imagine, it's not as simple as it sounds.
Just like other types of welding applications, Laser welding does, at times, need the user of an inert gas shield (we use Argon). This Argon protects the weld area from atmospheric gases. Gases in the atmosphere include oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor and they may greatly impair weld quality. Improper shielding may lead to a porous and pretty weak weld, excessive spattering, and and overall reduced productivity of the machine.
The cool thing about it, other than making really small welds, is that an experienced laser welder can use different areas of the beam to produce different types of welds and finishes. When the material is right at the focal point of the beam, the welder penetrates deep into the surface, creating the actual, very strong weld. If she moves the material slightly out of focus, toward the lens, it doesn't penetrate as far because the beam covers more area of the material, thus giving the weld a polished look. Typically, what we do is create the strong welds, then go over them with the unfocused beam to make the welds really shine.
Just like other types of welding applications, Laser welding does, at times, need the user of an inert gas shield (we use Argon). This Argon protects the weld area from atmospheric gases. Gases in the atmosphere include oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor and they may greatly impair weld quality. Improper shielding may lead to a porous and pretty weak weld, excessive spattering, and and overall reduced productivity of the machine.
The cool thing about it, other than making really small welds, is that an experienced laser welder can use different areas of the beam to produce different types of welds and finishes. When the material is right at the focal point of the beam, the welder penetrates deep into the surface, creating the actual, very strong weld. If she moves the material slightly out of focus, toward the lens, it doesn't penetrate as far because the beam covers more area of the material, thus giving the weld a polished look. Typically, what we do is create the strong welds, then go over them with the unfocused beam to make the welds really shine.
The Screen readout on the Laser
What are the applications?
Because the welds are so tiny but mighty, there are a number of applications limited by only one's imagination. The jewelry industry might be the most obvious as our customers require small, yet very strong welds that are beautiful. Half of the work we do is with jewelers that repair people's prized and sentimental possessions.
But, another large portion of work comes from the oil and gas industries as they produce very close tolerance parts and assemblies that require precise and strong welds that wont interfere with the fit and seal of their parts.
And, of course, there are the odd jobs. We've repaired .5 mm stress fractures in 3D printed Aluminum walls, to micro battery cases for an energy systems and storage company.
But, another large portion of work comes from the oil and gas industries as they produce very close tolerance parts and assemblies that require precise and strong welds that wont interfere with the fit and seal of their parts.
And, of course, there are the odd jobs. We've repaired .5 mm stress fractures in 3D printed Aluminum walls, to micro battery cases for an energy systems and storage company.
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