Fiber Laser Welders

How Fiber Laser Welders Operate

Fiber laser welders generate a high-intensity beam within the doped optical fiber. This beam is delivered to the workpiece where it rapidly heats the material, typically within milliseconds, forming the weld.

Laser welding is a non-contact process that requires access to the weld zone from only one side of the parts being joined.

Benefits of Fiber Laser Welders

Because of their efficiency and solid-state design, fiber laser systems can be smaller and require less maintenance than other laser technologies. Advantages include:

• High electrical efficiency
• Compact, air-cooled designs
• Low maintenance requirements
• No need to align cavity mirrors
• No optics alignment or maintenance
• Fine focus capability
• Adjustable beam quality to match specific welding applications

Laser Welding Process Types

Fiber laser welders can produce three primary weld types:

Conduction Welds

• Performed at low energy
• Produce wide, shallow weld nuggets

Conduction/Penetration Welds

• Use medium energy density
• Create deeper weld nuggets

Penetration (Keyhole) Welds

• Deliver direct energy into the material
• Produce deep, narrow weld nuggets

The weld type is determined by energy density and application requirements.

Materials and Joint Considerations

Laser welding supports a wide variety of joint geometries due to its non-contact nature. A key requirement for successful laser welding is close fit-up at the joint interface.

Fiber laser welders can join:

• Steels
• Nickel alloys
• Titanium
• Aluminum
• Copper

As with other joining technologies, some materials present challenges depending on:

• Reflectivity
• Thermal cycling effects
• Vaporization of volatile alloying elements