Understanding the Basics of Hybrid Laser Welding

Hybrid Laser Welding: Technique, Advantages, and Application

What Is Hybrid Laser Welding?

Hybrid laser welding is a process of joining materials using laser welding and traditional welding (arc welding). The technique uses a powerful laser beam and conventional arc techniques to enhance the welding speed and quality. MIG, TIG, MAG, or plasma are some of the compatible traditional welding methods that combine with a laser heat source to perform hybrid laser welding. The powerful combination of dual welding techniques results in higher processing speeds, higher tolerance to fit-up, deeper penetration, and improved weld quality.

Laser Welding and Arc Welding (Traditional Welding) Comparison

In laser welding technology, a powerful laser beam is spot focused on a small area of the workpiece. A small welding spot diameter with less heat input makes this process suitable for welding thin plates that have narrow grooves. The welding method involves a faster processing time. However, in the case of wider grooves, countermeasures like slower processing time are required.

Arc welding is suitable for welding thick plates. The process uses a large welding spot diameter resulting in shallow penetration. Unlike laser welding, arc welding involves a slower processing time.

What Are the Advantages of Hybrid Laser Welding?

The use of laser welding and arc welding technology makes the hybrid laser arc welding process a great solution for various applications. Laser beam allows deeper penetration depth and fast speed. Arc welding allows the bridging of gaps between grooves, slow cooling of welds, and adjustment of metallurgical properties due to the use of filler wire.

Hybrid welding serves as a great solution for applications that require high processing speed under complicated conditions. This includes welding varied materials with different melting points and welding base materials with varying thicknesses.

Here are some of the advantages of hybrid laser welding:

• Faster processing speed and deeper penetration
• High-quality weld through filler addition
• Control of metallurgical variables, such as cracking tendency, through filler addition
• Greater tolerance to variation in joint fit-up
• Higher electrical efficiency, up to 50% reduction in power consumption
• Lower capital cost

Hybrid Laser Welding Areas of Application

By incorporating dual welding technologies, the hybrid laser arc welding process has numerous benefits that make the method suitable for various applications.

Some of the areas of application of hybrid laser welding include:

Construction

Due to its high productivity and low distortion, hybrid laser welding is used in manufacturing construction materials and structures. The new welding technology helps achieve new levels of durability, structural efficiency, and life-cycle cost performance.

Shipbuilding

Welding advanced structures require high precision. Hybrid laser welding has enabled the shipbuilding industry to switch to lightweight designs and high-strength alloys without the distortion that occurs in conventional welding

Transportation

Transportation vehicles are sensitive to weight. Reduction in tare weight can help increase cargo capacity and minimize energy costs. This helps to increase revenue and lower cost for the end-user. For vehicle parts manufacturing, hybrid laser welding helps achieve quality levels that conventional welding cannot reach.

Mobile Equipment

This equipment includes cranes, earthmoving, mining machinery, and agricultural machinery. These products must exhibit extreme durability and a high strength-to-weight ratio. The hybrid laser technique allows the welding of ultra-high-performance steels that mobile equipment uses extensively.

Energy

In the energy sector, the hybrid laser technique finds use in the production of generator turbines, wind towers, utility towers, and other critical energy components.

Hybrid laser welding uses laser welding and traditional welding techniques to produce high-quality welds. The powerful combination of dual welding techniques results in a higher processing speed, greater tolerance to fit-up, deeper penetration, and improved weld quality that cannot be achieved by other welding methods. Consistent high-quality welds, faster processing speeds, deeper penetration, greater tolerance, and higher electrical efficiency are some of the key factors that make hybrid welding techniques suitable for a wide range of applications.