Using Laser Beams to Speed Up Conventional Welding

Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V. (LZH) has developed a new welding process based on gas metal-arc welding (GMAW) to make conventional welding faster. The association says that by adding a laser beam to guide and stabilise the process, welding speeds can be doubled. This welding process can be used for conventional steels as well as for high and higher strength steels, or for aluminium materials.

In conventional GMAW, the electric arc naturally follows the path of least resistance between the electrode and the base material. When the laser beam is “added” to the gas metal-arc welding process, the arc follows the laser beam path and is stabilised. Not only does this technique improve the quality of the welding seam, but welding speeds can be increased up to 100% for the same welding depth, according to LZH.

Since the laser used for this welding method has a relatively low output power (200 to 400 w), investment cost are also kept at a minimum, making this process particularly attractive for small and middle-sized welding companies. The laser-stabilised GMA-welding process is a result of the “FÜLAS” project, which was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and supported by the Project Management Agency Karlsruhe (PTKA). So far, the economic use of this new welding process has already been verified by two industrial partners. LZH carries out feasibility tests for various materials and can provide support for process integration.

Tags: GMAW, Laser-Zentrum Hannover, LZH, welding