Articles

Advantages and Applications of Handheld Laser Welding Machines

by David L. Engineer

Handheld fiber laser welding machines represent a new generation of laser welding equipment, falling under the category of non-contact welding. The operation process requires no pressure, as the high-energy laser beam is directed onto the material's surface. Through the interaction between the laser and the material, the interior of the material melts, followed by cooling and crystallization, forming the weld seam.

Handheld laser welding machines boast advantages such as simplicity of operation, high efficiency, a wide range of weldable materials, and low maintenance costs. Notably, they are widely recognized across various industries due to minimal requirements for the welding environment.


Advantages of Handheld Laser Welding

1. Wide Welding Range: Equipped with a 5m-10m original fiber optic welding head, handheld welding overcomes the limitations of workspace, enabling outdoor and long-distance welding.

2. Convenient and Flexible Use: Handheld laser welding machines come with mobile pulleys, providing a comfortable grip and allowing for on-the-fly workstation adjustments. There's no need for a fixed workstation, providing flexibility suitable for various work environments.

3. Multiple Welding Methods: Capable of achieving welding at any angle, including overlay welding, butt welding, vertical welding, fillet welding, inside corner welding, outside corner welding, etc. It can weld complex workpieces and irregularly shaped larger workpieces, and switch seamlessly between welding and cutting by simply changing the welding nozzle.

4. Excellent Welding Results: Handheld laser welding, being a fusion welding process, exhibits higher energy density compared to traditional welding methods, resulting in superior welding effects. It minimizes heat-affected zones, deformation, discoloration, and backside markings. The weld depth is significant, ensuring complete melting and reliable joint strength, sometimes exceeding the base material itself.

5. Simple Operation for Easy Achievement of High-Quality Welding Effects.

6. Suitable for Small-Scale Production: In comparison to fully automatic equipment deployment, handheld laser welding machines have a lower production compliance rate. However, for small-scale processing or production workshops not requiring extensive welding, manual laser welding is the preferable choice due to its space efficiency, adaptability to diverse product shapes, and varied product requirements.

7. Low Maintenance Costs: Handheld laser welding requires no addition of welding wire, resulting in minimal consumable costs.


Comparison with Argon Arc Welding

1. Energy Consumption Comparison: Handheld laser welding machines save approximately 80%-90% of energy compared to traditional arc welding, leading to a reduction of about 30% in processing costs.

2. Welding Effect Comparison: Handheld laser welding can accomplish the welding of dissimilar steels and metals. It is faster, causes minimal deformation, and has a small heat-affected zone. The weld seams are beautiful, smooth, with little to no porosity, and free from contamination. Handheld laser welding machines can handle small-profile parts and precision welding.

3. Post-Welding Process Comparison: With low heat input during handheld laser welding, minimal workpiece deformation is achieved, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing welding surface. It requires little to no post-welding processing (depending on the desired welding surface effect). Handheld laser welding machines significantly reduce the labor costs associated with extensive polishing and leveling processes.

 

Applications of Handheld Laser Welding

Handheld laser welding finds extensive application in the intricate and irregular welding processes of industries such as cabinet kitchens, bathrooms, stairs and elevators, shelves, ovens, stainless steel doors and windows, guardrails, distribution boxes, and stainless steel home furnishings. It is also widely used in numerous other industries, including kitchens, household appliances, advertising, molds, stainless steel doors and windows, crafts, home goods, furniture, automotive accessories, and more.

- Cabinets:

Due to the requirements of both aesthetics and durability in cabinet kitchenware, the smooth and delicate weld seams produced by handheld laser welding machines are particularly desirable. Especially in the production process of stainless steel cabinets and kitchenware, where sheet metal is commonly used for assembly, the small thickness of the sheets makes them susceptible to deformation due to heating. Therefore, the use of handheld laser welding machines with minimal heat deformation is an excellent choice.

- Stairs and Elevators:

Some stairs are made of stainless steel and require both strength and aesthetics. Particularly, outdoor-exposed stairs are prone to rust at welding points after exposure to wind and rain. Handheld laser welding machines perfectly address the issue of rusting at welding points.

- Doors and Windows Guardrails:

Whether made of stainless steel or aluminum alloy, handheld laser welding machines can be utilized to ensure that the welded components remain undistorted while maintaining their strength, without compromising their inherent functionality.


In summary, standard handheld laser welding machines are primarily employed in the welding processes of cabinets, kitchens, stairs, elevators, and doors and windows guardrails. Furthermore, handheld laser welding machines, with their precise infrared positioning, flexibility, secure welding, no consumables, smooth and delicate weld seams, and resistance to deformation, also find extensive applications in industries such as food packaging, electronic components, jewelry, and more.


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About David L. Junior   Engineer

3 connections, 0 recommendations, 13 honor points.
Joined APSense since, October 26th, 2023, From Hilden, Germany.

Created on Nov 15th 2023 00:13. Viewed 126 times.

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