Working Principles of Handheld Laser Welding System

A handheld laser welding system is known for its versatility, portability, ease of use, and utmost precision for stronger, cleaner welds. Knowing how it achieves the highest quality might help you determine if it’s a good choice for your industry or specific business.

That’s why Accurl put together this guide to laser welding machine working principles, including its laser generation, fusion, control, and safety systems.

Overview of Handheld Laser Welding Machines

A handheld laser welding machine offers precise control over the weld. Compared with manual traditional welding methods, these machines are easy to control throughout the entire welding process, offering a focused laser beam for pinpoint accuracy.

The best models, like the Accurl Laser Welding & Cleaning System, also promote the highest quality cuts by offering a pre- and post-weld cleaning system, allowing you to simultaneously clean while welding to create better, stronger welds.

There are tons of benefits of a handheld laser welding machine over a more traditional option, including:

  • Portability: These machines are much more portable than other welding methods, allowing you to move the machine to different job sites or operations.
  • Strength: Due to using less heat than traditional weld methods, laser welding minimizes the head-affect zone (HAZ) to create stronger welds.
  • Precision: By using computer controls and using a laser beam, these machines are highly accurate.
  • Efficiency: Not only are these machines fast and easy to use, boosting productivity, but they are also quite energy efficient.

So, how do these machines promote all of those benefits and more? Let’s look at handheld laser welding machine working principles to find out.

Laser Generation and Emission

The main handheld laser welding system is the laser. The way that these machines generate the laser will greatly depend on the type of laser, but the two most common laser types are diode lasers and fiber lasers. At Accurl, we prefer fiber lasers due to their precision and performance.

Either way, the beam is generated through powerful light delivered through an optics head, to focus the laser into a pinpoint. This occurs through elements that interact with the fiber core to accumulate energy, before being sent out as the beam.

Due to the precise and highly focused beam, the operator can maintain a greater amount of control over the parameters. With many models, the process can be greatly automated, through laser generation to weld completion. All the operator will have to do is set the parameters and material in the proper locations.

Material Interaction with Laser Beam

 After the laser is generated by the machine and sent through the optics to create a highly focused, highly powerful beam of life, it will interact with the materials. One distinct advantage of fiber lasers versus traditional welding methods occurs at this point of the process.

That’s because, unlike traditional welding methods, machines like the Accurl Handheld Laser Welding System do not use filler material, thereby creating stronger welds with less waste. Plus, these welds tend to look aesthetically better, which makes it a great option for consumer goods or exterior construction materials.

When the powerful laser hits the material, it is absorbed by the material surface, rapidly heating the material while minimizing the heat-affected zone. When the metal is melted, the weld can be quickly and effectively made. The melted material forms a seam between the two materials, which is the working principle known as fusion prior to solidification.

Fusion and Solidification

 The next aspect of handheld laser welding working principles is the fusion and solidification process. The molten material caused by the generated laser interacting with the material forms a weld pool. This then solidifies to create a strong bond between the two workpieces.

As soon as it solidifies as it cools, the weld is complete. Due to the fast melting process, the weld is usually much stronger than a manual traditional weld could ever be, making handheld laser welding systems an excellent choice for industries like medical equipment, construction, automotive, and aerospace.

Control Systems and Parameters

 When it comes to handheld laser welding systems, one of the biggest advantages is the control systems that help you align all other working principles. Using a computer, you can easily set parameters for the weld, including the type of material, thickness, and angle.

Then, operators can swiftly and easily adjust other parameters that influence the strength, precision, and outcome of the weld, including laser power, pulse duration, and frequency. This accurately and effectively controls weld characteristics, offering greater versatility to your welding operation.

These machines are highly versatile, being able to weld a wide variety of different metals and even plastics, including:

  • Aluminum
  • Stainless Steel
  • Titanium
  • Copper
  • Carbon Steel
  • Alloy Steel
  • Copper
  • Copper Alloy
  • Plastics
  • Iron
  • And more

However, not every handheld laser welding machine will work for every material, so make sure you choose one that works for the type of materials that you need to weld for your business.

Safety Measures and Considerations

 While laser generation, material interaction, fusion, solidification, and control systems are the main elements and working principles of a successful handheld laser welding system, there are also safety features that protect the operator.

In addition to automatic shutoffs and warnings, the operators must take measures to protect themselves, including protective equipment and safe workspace setup. Additionally, before operating the machine each operator needs to undergo proper training to ensure safety throughout welding.

Some companies, like Accurl, can assist through this process with out machines, offering ongoing support from your first quote all the way to regular maintenance and beyond.

Conclusion

As you can see, laser handheld laser machines are powerful and designed specifically for material strength, weld precision, and overall productivity. That’s because the powerful laser interacts with the material with minimal impact on other areas, while efficiently melting and fusion two pieces together. If you want the best possible outcomes for every weld, along with simultaneous cleaning and welding that boosts your overall output, then you must consider Accurl’s handheld laser welding machine. Tap here to learn more about our state-of-the-art machine or to request a free quote!

Click here to contact us with a question today! 

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