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In recent years, the development of the manufacturing industry has been rapid, and the demand for metal processing has increased accordingly. Welding is one of the important processes in metal processing, and traditional welding methods can no longer meet production demands. In light of this, handheld laser welders have emerged and been well-received since their introduction, quickly replacing traditional metal sheet welding in the market.
Handheld laser welders can weld various metals and their alloys, such as carbon steel, mold steel, alloy steel, stainless steel, titanium, copper, aluminum, and more. They can also meet the laser welding requirements between different types of metal materials. The equipment is small in size, simple, flexible to use, and easy to operate. It is mainly aimed at thin-walled materials and precise parts welding, producing high-quality welds. It eliminates the need for grinding, resulting in stronger, more efficient, outdoor-capable welding, long-distance welding, any angle, any shape, and easy handling. The maintenance and operating costs are low, and consumables are essentially unnecessary.
Principles of Laser Welding Technology
Laser welding technology is an efficient, precise, and environmentally friendly non-contact welding technology. Its principle involves using a high-energy density laser beam to instantly heat the welding area, melting the metal materials on both sides of the weld, and achieving material fusion and welding while the laser beam moves. The high energy density of the laser beam results in small weld melting depth and width, enabling high-precision welding with no deformation and pollution.
Factors Affecting the Welding Thickness of Handheld Laser Welders
The welding thickness of laser welding machines mainly depends on the following factors:
Laser Power
Laser power is one of the key factors affecting the welding ability of laser welding machines. Generally, the higher the laser power, the stronger the welding ability, allowing for the welding of thicker metal materials. Different brands and models of laser welding machines have different powers, resulting in differences in welding thickness.
Material Type
Different types of materials have different requirements for the welding thickness of laser welding machines. Generally, laser welding machines of the same power have different welding thicknesses for different metal materials. Laser welding machines can weld various materials including iron, copper, copper alloys, stainless steel, aluminum alloys, etc., but there are limitations on the maximum welding thickness for each material.
Welding Speed
The welding speed of laser welding machines also affects their welding thickness. Under the same material and power conditions, the faster the welding speed, the smaller the welding thickness.
How Thick Can a Handheld Laser Welder Weld?
Generally speaking, the thickness range of sheet metal that handheld laser welders can weld falls between 0.1 millimeters to 8 millimeters. This range meets the requirements of most manufacturing and processing industries. However, the thickness of sheet metal that can be welded varies depending on the power and spot size of different handheld laser welders.
The thickness of sheet metal welded by handheld laser welders is mainly influenced by factors such as laser power, spot size, laser irradiation time, and cooling effect. Generally, the higher the laser power, the smaller the spot size, the longer the irradiation time, and the better the cooling effect, the thicker the sheet metal that can be welded. Therefore, when selecting a handheld laser welder, it is necessary to choose appropriate parameters such as power, spot size, and irradiation time according to actual needs.
How to Increase the Welding Thickness of Laser Welding Machines?
Although laser welding machines have limitations on the welding thickness of different material types, there are some methods to improve their welding ability:
Increase Laser Power
While ensuring safety, try increasing the laser power to enhance the welding ability of the laser welding machine.
Optimize Welding Methods
Changing the welding methods, such as increasing welding paths or altering welding routes, can enhance the welding ability of laser welding machines.
Choose Suitable Materials
Selecting suitable materials for the materials to be welded significantly improves the welding ability of laser welding machines.
Reduce Welding Speed
If unable to increase laser power, reducing the welding speed can increase the welding ability of laser welding machines for materials.
Metal Welding Parameters of YUPEC Smart HWE Series Handheld Laser Welder
The Smart HWE Series 3-in-1 Multifunctional Handheld Fiber Laser Welding Machine from YUPEC, with power options of 1kW, 1.5kW, 2kW, and 3kW, stands out for its efficiency and adaptability. It caters to diverse requirements, encompassing metal cutting, welding, descaling, and surface cleaning. The machine is particularly effective for robust welding tasks. Designed ergonomically, it’s lightweight and compact, ensuring optimal productivity.
Welding Parameters of YUPEC Smart HWE Series (for reference only):
- Carbon Steel
- Aluminum
|
Thickness (mm)
|
Scan Speed (mm/s)
|
Scan Width (mm)
|
Peak Power (W)
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
300
|
3
|
500
|
|
2
|
300
|
3
|
800
|
|
3
|
300
|
3
|
1400
|
|
4
|
300
|
3
|
1800
|
|
5
|
220
|
3
|
2000
|
- Stainless Steel
Conclusion
In conclusion, the advent of handheld laser welders marks a significant advancement in the field of metal processing. Their versatility, efficiency, and precision have revolutionized the welding industry, offering solutions to challenges posed by traditional welding methods. With the ability to weld various metals and alloys, these machines have become indispensable tools in modern manufacturing processes.
As technology continues to evolve, handheld laser welders are poised to play an even greater role in meeting the demands of diverse applications. With ongoing developments in laser power, materials science, and welding techniques, the capabilities of these machines are expected to expand further, enabling the welding of thicker materials and addressing new challenges in metal processing.
