Influence of remote-laser-welding parameters for an 8 kW fibre laser on the seam quality of steels

Florian Oefele, Jan Musiol, Michael F. Zaeh

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper renders the research for contactless welding with long focal distances without supply of shielding gas or welding filler material from the welding head called Remote-Laser-Welding (RLW). Typical values for the distances between the focusing optic system and the workpiece are within a range of 400 mm to 1200 mm depending on the beam quality of the used laser source. Due to its high flexibility and reduced auxiliary process time RLW has been established in industry replacing conventional resistance spot welding processes in various applications. Nevertheless, problems regarding the quality of the welding process have to be solved. This paper discusses the influence of RLW process parameters, e.g. high velocity of welding, Rayleigh length, longitudinal and lateral beam inclination, on the seam quality of steels. These parameters are influenced by boundary conditions such as specifications of the work piece to be welded, e.g. coatings or thickness of the substrate, and additionally the optical and mechanical characteristics of the joining equipment. For the research described in this paper a brilliant 8 kW multi-mode fibre laser with a beam parameter product of less than 4 mm*mrad was used. Methodological approaches are outlined to increase the seam quality and to reduce metal spatters because of high beam intensity. Experimental evidence for steel materials is discussed by virtue of metallurgical cross sections, surface magnifications and tensile tests.

Original languageEnglish
Pages399-405
Number of pages7
DOIs
StatePublished - 2008
EventICALEO 2008 - 27th International Congress on Applications of Lasers and Electro-Optics - Temecula, CA, United States
Duration: 20 Oct 200823 Oct 2008

Conference

ConferenceICALEO 2008 - 27th International Congress on Applications of Lasers and Electro-Optics
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityTemecula, CA
Period20/10/0823/10/08

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