Now also, keyhole welding tasks, which have been the domain of conventional solid state lasers, can be successfully carried out using diode lasers.
The diode laser attains the typical welding spot of 0.6 mm for output powers into the multi-kW range.
It can therefore replace most applications of the lamp-pumped solid state laser, as the welding results are directly transferable in the case of identical laser power and identical focus.
Diode lasers are therefore predestined for demanding welding tasks on aluminum and galvanized sheet metals.
"Top Hat" profile
Material thicknesses from about 0.1 mm upwards and welding depths of more than 3 mm can be achieved economically using diode lasers.
The stable output power and a "top hat" intensity profile result in very high seam qualities, that are free from pores and cavities.
Top six
- Low thermal load and low distortion
- Smooth, regular and pore-free welding
- High process stability at high welding speeds
- Keyhole welding and heat conduction welding
- Reduced costs for investment and operation
- Highest reliability for serial production
The use of diode lasers in welding of metallic materials adds a new dimension to the economic efficiency of laser processing.
Diode lasers make existing laser welding applications considerably more cost-effective and the low operating and investment costs of diode lasers make new applications possible which up to now were the domain of conventional welding.
With output power of 100 W up to 8,000 W using different fiber diameters, the diode laser covers a variety of applications. As an option, the diode laser can be equipped with a beam switch for economic multi-station operation.
Mobile and Flexible
However, the notion of economic efficiency includes a lot more: mobile handling leads to an increased flexibility of the use which, in turn, means further cost advantages for the user.
Welding Of Metals
In metal processing, diode lasers are used in various application areas of mass production. The applications range from precision and spot welding of electronic components to welding of car body parts in the automotive industry and up to heat conduction welding in the consumer goods industry or welding of pipes.
Laser joints are characterized by high welding speeds, high levels of stability and very low distortion. At the same time excellent weld seam surfaces can be attained. If the requirements with regard to process stability and consistent product quality are high, then the laser is the right tool.
Always A Step Ahead: Diode Lasers
An almost maintenance-free operation, a lifetime of more than 30,000 operating hours and the greatest efficiency of all lasers make the diode laser clearly superior in welding of thin sheet metals.
As a comparison: with lamp-pumped Nd:YAG lasers it is necessary to change the lamps approximately every 1,000 operating hours and the operating costs are greater by a factor of 10. Mobility and compactness - at output powers of up to 1,200 W in the order of magnitude of conventional welding devices - predestine the diode laser for a wide variety of metal welding applications and make it a particularly flexible tool in production.
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