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Handheld Laser Welders
Frequently Asked Questions
Handheld laser welding is based on the use of a high power laser beam as the energy source to create extreme localized heat to melt the materials being joined and to create strong and neat joints.
Yes, handheld laser welding speed is quite high, 2-10 times faster than traditional torch welding. With such a speed a typical handheld laser welding machine can save significant manpower per year.
One of the main advantages of handheld laser welders is the precision they offer in creating seamless strong beautiful joints. Because of the localized nature of heat generation using a laser beam, the resulting joints are very neat and require little to no post-weld treatment. They typically require minimal operator training and are faster that other welding method. Finally, thanks to movability of the welding gun in a handheld laser welder they can cover large distances and are suitable for working with relatively large objects.
The upfront investment on acquiring a handheld laser welder is the primary deterrent for adopting this technology. With a price tag that is much higher than those of traditional torch or arc laser welders, they become a technology that is suitable for high-volume and high-precision applications. For high demand and high volume applications though, Handheld Laser Welders can actually save time in the long run in operation speed and elimination of many steps of post-weld processing that would be required in other welding methods. Another disadvantage of handheld laser welders is the low gap tolerance: because of the localized heat generation (which ironically is also the key advantage of the laser welders) laser welding machines require relative narrow gaps between the pieces being welded.
Handheld laser welders are an ideal choice for high volume welding applications that require precision, repeatability and where elimination of post-weld treatment is essential. Handheld laser welding machines have proven to be the ideal choice in automotive, shipbuilding, aerospace and other metallurgy applications.
A beginner unit can run as low as $5000 and the price tag can go up into 10s of thousands as the output laser power and the parameters go up in value.
No, many handheld laser welding guns come with an alignment laser beam that allows to quickly find the optimal focal distance that would result in the strongest spark when the gun is activated. The laser guns also typically come with an adjustment capability to optimize the telescope.
Yes, the main unit where the laser power is generated sits separately from the laser gun and is typically equipped with casters that allow easy rolling around the object as necessary. The laser power is transferred to the laser gun through an optical fiber that can run a few feet and allow the user to cover significant welding distances before needing to move the entire unit.
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