Article content provided by IPG Photonics.
Laser welding, a mainstay in automated welding applications in the automotive and aerospace industries, has been finding its way into the hands of more and more welders. Literally. As portable, air-cooled handheld laser welders from various brands, well-known or otherwise, become readily available, welders and shop managers are naturally wondering how the technology compares to traditional arc welding methods.
Brands and social media chatter often insist that laser welding is the future of handheld welding, a panacea for the challenges of the trade. Detractors and skeptics say that the technology is underdeveloped or that it’s a passing fad.
So, what should you believe? Let’s break down laser welding’s advantages, disadvantages, and how it’s different than arc welding.
How Laser Welding Works
Arc welding uses electricity (electrons) while laser welding uses light (photons). Both electricity and light transfer energy, and thus heat, into the target material but photons can be focused closer together. That means more energy is concentrated in a smaller area.
Laser Welding Advantages & Disadvantages
Material Thickness: Laser welding is an excellent choice for materials from very thin to roughly 5/16” thick. For thicker materials, MIG is generally a better choice.
Weld Strength: Handheld laser welding creates high-strength joints and is trusted for use in applications from pressure vessels to rockets and spacecraft.
Weld Speed: Laser welding is the fastest welding method, exceeding the speed of TIG by 4X or more.
Equipment Cost: It’s no secret – laser welding equipment is more expensive than arc welding equipment.
Flexibility: This one’s a mixed bag. Laser welding requires relatively precise part fit up and is overall a little less flexible than MIG. However, laser welding is a better choice for things like vertical and overhead welding.
Learning Curve: Laser welding is one of the easiest welding methods to learn for novices and experienced welders alike.
Safety: Laser welding has different safety requirements than arc welding that can make it slightly trickier to implement, depending on the welding environment. Understanding laser welding safety is required before investing in the technology.
Heat Input: One of laser welding’s greatest advantages, the increased energy density of the laser beam greatly reduces warping and distortion.
Weld Aesthetics: Laser welds typically look excellent and rarely require grinding.
The Conclusion
Laser welding is neither an outright replacement for traditional welding methods nor an unproven technology. MIG, TIG, and laser welding all have their place: each one is good for some tasks and ill-suited for others.
The conclusion? Laser welding is just another tool in the modern welder’s toolkit and the technology is here to stay.
Learn more about the differences between MIG, TIG, and laser welding.
Learn more about LightWELD here.
Learn more about laser welding in The Weld Shop.
IPG Photonics is the inventor and world’s leading producer of high-power fiber lasers, which enable greater precision, higher speed processing, and enhanced productivity. IPG Photonics offers products ranging from fiber laser sources to turnkey laser processing systems, and their products and process technologies can be found in numerous applications and industries across the globe, including commercial HVAC and sheet metal fabrication.
