Applications Laser welding
The ACSYS Gallery of laser welding.
ACSYS laser processing centers are particularly suited for high-precision welding processes. Different processes are used depending on the material. ACSYS welding systems do not add material to the workpieces during the welding process.
The examples on this page are divided into:
There are various methods of laser welding which will be explained in detail here.
For further information please see our laser compendium.
Metal welding
If two or more metal parts are to be joined together permanently without any addition of material, then in many cases laser joining is the only viable alternative.
The laser's high flexibility allows many application options: from very precise welding points to keyhole-welded seams over many meters with slim seam geometries and minimum warpage. The laser is used by a wide range of very different industries. Whether the application includes precision weld points in the electronics industry, stainless steel bushes for sensors in the automotive industry, membrane welding of highly sensitive pressure sensors in the aerospace industry or super-fine welds in the medical industry - the laser process is quick, precise and flexible.
ACSYS welding systems do not add material to the workpieces during the welding process. The new fiber laser technology uses a large focal depth. As a result, process-tolerant welding is possible even if the materials have different wall thicknesses or are not entirely square during the welding process.
In principle, there are two possible methods of laser welding: fusion welding (also called melt welding) and keyhole welding.
Plastic welding
The basic process of laser plastic welding is seam welding. During this process, the laser beam penetrates the workpiece, which is to be joined and is positioned on top, and is then absorbed by the piece, which is positioned at the bottom.
The heat leads to plasticization, which results in the bridging of the gap in the workpiece. As heat is conducted, the workpiece, which is positioned on top, is heated up. This means that the smallest possible gap in the workpiece is a determining factor for the application's success since the gap acts as a heat barrier.
Working principle of laser absorption welding (see the illustration on the right):
The laser light penetrates the upper layers and is absorbed by the lower piece that is to be joined (A). As the lower piece heats up (B), heat is conducted to the upper piece (C). The shared molten area solidifies under pressure that is applied externally, thereby creating a high-quality weld connection (D).
Plastic welding
The basic process of laser plastic welding is seam welding. During this process, the laser beam penetrates the workpiece, which is to be joined and is positioned on top, and is then absorbed by the piece, which is positioned at the bottom.
The heat leads to plasticization, which results in the bridging of the gap in the workpiece. As heat is conducted, the workpiece, which is positioned on top, is heated up. This means that the smallest possible gap in the workpiece is a determining factor for the application's success since the gap acts as a heat barrier.
