The welding process for the highest demands
Laser fine welding, also known as laser beam welding or laser spot welding, describes a special process for joining metallic components. It is characterized by its high welding speed, precise and narrow weld seams and low thermal distortion. Examples include contact plates, cell connectors and battery contacts as well as hermetically sealed sensor housings.
Laser welding can generally be carried out in a vacuum or, as we offer, under inert gas. A subsequent leak test checks the weld seams for leaks. Thanks to its high energy density, the laser beam joins components with pinpoint accuracy and faster than alternative welding processes such as TIG or MIG/MAG welding. This allows workpieces to be joined quickly and reliably and fine weld seams to be produced.
The advantages of laser fine welding at a glance:
- non-contact process, no tool wear
- high welding speed
- low thermal distortion due to minimal heat input
- visually appealing weld seams due to precise and narrow weld seam guidance
- helium-tight
Specifications for laser fine welding of metals
- tolerances within 20 µm or less
- wall thicknesses of 50 µm - 2 mm
- pipe diameters between 1 mm - 200 mm
The weld seam guidance
Precise weld seam guidance is another advantage of laser welding. With modern control technology, the laser beam can be directed precisely to the desired location. This results in a precise and consistent weld seam.
Weld seam qualification checks whether the weld seam meets the specific requirements. This can be done using various methods, such as visual inspection and other non-destructive testing methods.
There are different types of weld seams that can be produced during laser welding:
What laser welding processes are there?
Laser beam welding uses laser radiation to melt and join materials. Laser technology enables high precision and quality. A laser welding system can be used for various processes such as heat conduction welding or precision spot welding.
Laser cutting, on the other hand, uses a laser beam to cut materials.
In laser fine machining, as we offer it, the focus is on processing small and precise parts.
Which materials can be laser welded?
Choosing the right material is crucial for the quality of the weld seam. It also determines the quality of the end product. Below are some materials that are frequently used in laser welding:
It is also possible to weld different materials together, for example copper with stainless steel or aluminum with bronze. However, these so-called material combinations require careful adjustment of the laser settings to ensure good welding quality.
LCP has years of in-depth expertise in fine laser welding with a wide range of standard materials as well as difficult-to-process metals, including:
- Stainless steels, nickel and cobalt-chrome, aluminum
- INVAR® alloy, KOVAR
- On request: copper, titanium, MP35N® and L605, ELGILOY® alloys, nickel-chromium, Nitinol, platinum and platinum alloys
Laser welding can be used in almost all areas that have to do with metal, in particular electronics and sensor production, semiconductor technology, the manufacture of precision mechanical components and optical housings as well as assemblies in medical technology. Our processing methods include, among others:
- precision spot welding,
- precision welding of non-porous seams in medical technology and
- laser soldering in electrical engineering.
The advantages of laser technology also enable new and more efficient production processes: For example, processes such as electron beam welding are supplemented by laser beam welding when capping sensors.
For which products is laser welding used?
Contact sheets, cell connectors and battery contacts are just a few examples of products that can be manufactured using laser welding. This method is indispensable in the electronics industry. Laser welding processes are used in the production of electrical sheets, rotor and stator stacks in particular.
In addition, lapping needles and conveyor belts are also produced by laser welding. Medical parts, such as cannulas, also benefit from this technology, as do positioning systems and drive technology.
Laser welding in the electronics industry
Laser welding is a key technology in the electronics industry. For example, it can be used to manufacture sensor housings and covers for electronic devices as well as solder tabs, which are used in electronics to connect components. This ensures high precision and outstanding quality of the connections.
Use of laser welding in other industries
Housings and covers, hold-down devices and retaining brackets as well as springs for small mechanics can also be manufactured using laser welding technology. In sensor technology, this manufacturing technology is used to produce temperature and pressure sensors as well as strain gauges and fiber connectors.
