Jens Wendelstorf:
LASER arc welding
4. Development of hybrid laser arc welding technology (LASER-TIG)
Conventional arc welding procedures e.g. the tungsten inert gas
welding (TIG/GTAW) possess a very high process efficiency (up to approx. 90%)
and cause only small capital investments (~10TDM/kW). In practical
application, the the attainable productivity (e.g.
welding speed) and the joint quality are also very important.
Modern beam technology procedures (laser and electron beam) offer
distinctive advantages, but at small process
efficiencies (to approx. 15%) and requiring large capital investments
(~100TDM/kW).
The productivity and quality differences are primarily due to
the different power densities. Successfull combination of both, e.g. laser
beam welding and TIG welding, can offer high savings obtained by the application
of low power lasers with at the same final result.
In addition comes the fact, current beam technology
procedures also have their specific disadvantages, which do not occur for the
corresponding arc welding procedures.
Furthermore, the laser is in the position to change
the arc discharge significantly:
The transition from pure TIG welding to laser beam welding
is sketched on the following pictures:
Here you will find some welding results!
Last modification: 10.10.1998
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