LASER WELDING

What Is Laser Welding?

Clean & Controlled Welds for Precision Metalworking

Laser welding employs a high-energy laser beam to heat and melt materials, forming a seam that cools quickly into a strong, durable weld. This process works with or without filler material, while some laser welder configurations integrate a wire feeder.

Laser weld technology is widely used in applications that require precise, narrow seams and repeatable results with a high-quality finish. This method is particularly effective in joining intricate and thin materials, as it generates small heat-affected zones, minimizing warping.

Laser Photonics provides turnkey and custom-tailored laser welding solutions for smooth integration into existing metalworking processes, both in the field and in production. Our laser welding machines are equipped with technology to produce different seam patterns to meet your application needs.

Discover the Benefits of Laser Welding

Fuse Flawlessly With Laser Accuracy

Laser Photonics offers handheld and robot-operated laser welding systems with custom configurations. Our team of expert engineers is always developing advanced solutions to provide you with the most efficient laser-powered metalworking experience.

Exceptional Results

Laser welding machines deliver consistent, high-quality laser welds that surpass traditional welding methods in control and precision. Thanks to this precision, laser welding produces less turbulence in the weld pool, which reduces the likelihood of spatter and sparks. This transforms a task often associated with costly rework and post-processing into a quicker, more efficient operation.

Low Heat-Affected Zone

The narrow fusion point and assist gas in a laser welder decrease the heat-affected zone, which minimizes thermal distortion during the welding of a material. This technology is ideal for welding thin materials, which comes in handy in areas like electronics assembly and custom metalworking. Welds with a low heat-affected zone often exhibit better durability and are less susceptible to wear.

Versatility

Laser welding systems by Laser Photonics are suitable for metals, thermoplastics, and composites. WeldTech joins materials of varying thicknesses, measuring up to 4 mm. The operator using WeldTech sets the focal length of the laser beam, which tunes the power distribution and lasing duration to match the thickness of the material.

Safety & Sustainability

Laser welding is associated with less heat exposure for operators when compared to traditional welding methods. However, operators must protect their eyes, as well as the eyes of those nearby, to prevent accidental laser exposure. Any fumes released during laser welding can be filtered by a fume extractor to minimize pollution.

Cost Savings

Integrating laser welding technology into your operation promises long-term returns as it reduces cost-intensive post-processing and rework during metalworking. When handled properly, laser-powered tools require minimal upkeep and provide reliable, consistent performance for years. Team Laser Photonics can help make that happen with the help of its user training and maintenance professionals.

How Laser Welding Works

Laser welding uses the thermal impact of a laser beam to fuse metals and thermoplastics.

Understanding the Technology:

Infrared laser light is generated in an optical fiber and travels to the welding head
Inside the welding head, the focus length is adjusted according to project needs
Technology directs the laser beam to scan the surface in a specific pattern
The beam melts the materials at a narrow, localized point, creating a high-precision seam

Laser Welding Applications

WeldTech laser welding technology excels in applications where precision and durability are critical, reaching well beyond metalworking. This includes welding miniature components during electronics and battery manufacturing, producing leak-proof seams in fuel tanks, and typical tasks such as joining lightweight alloys for vehicle body parts and airframe components with strict quality requirements. Explore how WeldTech can fulfill your welding needs.

Laser Welding Aluminum

In this compact demonstration, our advanced fiber laser system showcases the remarkable capabilities of aluminum laser welding. By utilizing a…

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Laser Welding vs. Traditional Methods

Discover how laser welding outperforms other techniques in terms of weld quality, control, and cost efficiency.

Arc Welding vs. Laser Welding

Arc welding is deemed less suitable for thin metals and precision tasks than for thick metal welding. While this method produces strong welds, the heat-affected zone is larger than a laser welder’s, which can lead to warping of the workpiece. Laser welding, on the other hand, offers exceptional accuracy and fine control, with laser welds benefiting from a small heat-affected zone and less distortion. In addition, arc welding requires experienced operators to manage the arc’s movement and maintain consistent weld quality, unlike laser welding.

MIG Welding vs. Laser Welding

MIG (metal inert gas) welding, a.k.a. wire welding, requires shielding gas and uses a continuously fed wire electrode. It's an affordable welding method suitable for heavy-duty, large-scale applications that don't require the precise and clean finish achieved with a laser welder. This process often produces fumes, depending on the material and shielding gas used. In addition to wire electrodes and gas replenishment, MIG welding requires regular replacement and maintenance of the contact tips and nozzles.

TIG Welding vs. Laser Welding

TIG (tungsten inert gas) welding offers control and precision but produces more heat than laser welding. This increased heat can cause distortion and excessive melting in thin materials, making laser welding a better choice for applications where maintaining the integrity of the material’s shape is critical. Other perks of laser welding include that it is faster than the other two welding methods and yields higher throughput.

Our Laser Welding Solutions

Handheld & Automated Welding Tools by Laser Photonics

WeldTech CW-6010

Handheld Laser Welder

The WTCW-6010 is a compact, mobile handheld laser welder for precise control and meticulous processing. Joining materials up to 4 mm thick, this continuous wave fiber laser welder produces high-quality laser welds with minimal distortion. The operator of the WTCW-6010 specifies the material thickness and selects among several weld seam patterns to meet specific project needs. If you are working with thin metals and require easy maneuvering in your workshop or in the field, the WTCW-6010 is your welding tool of choice.

WeldTech IW-7010

Robot-Operated Laser Welder

Looking for an automated welding tool for the assembly line? Then, the robot-operated WTIW-7010 is your go-to laser welder. The robotic arm features a six-axis composition with articulated kinematics for continuous-path-controlled tasks. Its accurate positioning and ability to weld quickly allow the WTIW-7010 to perform intricate tasks repeatably and consistently. Adopt robotic laser welding technology to reduce labor and time expenses.

WeldTech IR-7020

Enclosed Robotic Workcell

The WTIR-7020 is a robotic workcell for ultimate safety during laser welding. This system comes with a custom enclosure around the workstation that features a collaborative robot that does the laser welding for you. The WTIR-7020 includes a touchscreen tablet for programming the laser welding procedure from outside the workcell, while the cobot allows for manual simplified programming. Should laser processing involve the vaporization of toxic substances, opt for custom fume extractor installation to filter out harmful particles.

Semi-Automated Laser Welding Inside a Workcell

For ultimate safety during laser material processing, select among the enclosed laser equipment by Laser Photonics. Although infrared laser light is invisible to the human eye, accidental exposure can pose a risk of eye and skin damage. In Class I laser systems, laser radiation is fully contained inside an enclosure with safe viewing windows.

The WeldTech IR-7010 (WTIR-7010) laser welding system by Laser Photonics combines collaborative robotics and laser welding technology inside the safety of a workcell. We customize these workcells to provide our clients with the configurations for optimal part installation and efficient welding operations. Custom options include Class I safety compliance, vacuum table, fume extractor, and divider for non-stop laser processing.

Semi-automated laser welding is particularly convenient for repetitive tasks, optimizing throughput and consistency, which saves time and labor.

Custom-Built Industrial Laser Systems

Laser Photonics designs industrial laser systems to meet your specific application needs. Whether you’re looking for a compact, mobile welding unit, a robotic laser arm, or a heavy-duty stationary system for your production line, we’ve got you covered. If you’ve got something in mind that you don’t see in our portfolio, contact us – our team is always eager to carry out custom engineering projects.

Choosing the Right Laser Welding Machine

Looking for a tool that integrates smoothly into your production line? Do your operations involve processing hazardous substances? Make sure to consider all factors when selecting one of our laser welding systems so that it aligns with your operational needs.

Key considerations include:

Mobile or stationary
Handheld or semi-automatic
Fume extractor compatibility
Integration into existing production lines
Compliance with Class I or Class IV safety standards
Compliance with Trade Agreement Act

Not only are the machines fantastic, but the customer support is phenomenal. Laser Photonics’ team is always there to assist, making the entire experience seamless.

Sung Jee Kim

Manufacturing Plant Manager

Laser Welding Gallery

Browse through stunning laser welding application results.

Health & Environmental Impact

Laser welding technology is emerging as a key player in industrial sustainability, helping improve workplace safety and reduce ecological footprints.

A Healthier Workplace

A workplace that is well-equipped for the efficiency and safety of the operators boosts productivity and job satisfaction. Laser welding requires neither physical strength nor heavy protective equipment. By replacing outdated, hazardous, and messy surface treatment operations with laser processing, you improve the well-being of your employees. In its commitment to provide the best operator experience, Laser Photonics engineers and uses the latest innovations in laser technology.

A Greener Environment

Across different types of welding, potential environmental impacts ensue from the use of shielding gas, filler material, and power consumption. These processes are often accompanied by fume and waste generation. Businesses can invest in energy-efficient welding and fume extraction equipment, shift to eco-friendly consumables, and implement recycling programs for scrap metal and other waste materials to transition to more sustainable practices and reduce their environmental footprints.

They’ve streamlined our workflow and elevated our final product. Highly satisfied customer.

Noah Ramirez

Manufacturing Engineer

Laser Welding Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about our laser welding systems

What is laser welding, and how does it work?

Laser welding uses the thermal impact of infrared light to fuse materials, creating a precise, durable seam.

What materials can I weld with laser technology?

Metals and thermoplastics.

Which industries benefit from laser welding technology? 

A comprehensive and growing list of industries benefit from laser welding, including automotive, aerospace, maritime, defense, nuclear, space, energy, metal fabrication, and many other sectors, where professionals use the technology for a wide number of applications.

Can laser welding fuse thick materials?

WeldTech laser welding technology is designed to weld materials up to 4 mm thick.

How wide is a laser-welded seam?

A laser welding tool creates a seam in the range of 1 to 5 mm wide.

Can laser welding warp the material?

Laser welding has a considerably lower heat-affected zone compared to most common welding methods. This translates to minimal warping and microstructure change to the base material.

How to avoid spatter with laser welding?

Fine-tune the laser’s power, focus, pulse duration, and oscillation according to the workpiece material to create a stable and consistent weld.

How does laser welding compare to MIG welding?

MIG/wire welding is more suitable for heavy-duty, large-scale applications that don’t require the control and precision a laser welder can provide.

Is laser welding safe for operators and the environment?

Always wear appropriate safety eyewear in the vicinity of an active laser system classified above Class I. Laser welding is considered an eco-friendly material processing method as it does not involve the use of chemicals, abrasive media, or other consumables.

Do I need special training to operate laser welding machines?

Anyone operating a laser system must undergo safety training. However, a WeldTech system is easy to master, and maintenance requirements are minimal.

What is the warranty on a WeldTech?

Laser Photonics provides a 2-year warranty from the time of purchase.

Curious About Something Else?

Our team is on standby to answer any additional questions. Schedule a virtual meeting with one of our specialists so we can give you more information on laser material processing. Contact us to find out whether WeldTech laser technology is right for you and your business.

Experience the Laser Welding Difference