The fiber laser welder is a machine that melts metal using a laser beam and then solidifies it together. Laser welding has dramatically changed the way manufacturing is done. Previously, the only way to combine two separate metal sheets was to melt the metal and recreate it or cast the molten metal into the joint gap.
Whichever measure was taken, the operational steps of welding were very tedious.
A fiber laser welder is a much simpler and more convenient alternative to traditional welding methods.
Let's delve into all the information about the fiber laser welder!

What's in this article?

1. What is fiber laser welding and how it works
2. The main components of a fiber laser welding machine
3. Factors affecting fiber laser welding
4. The advantages of Fiber laser welder
5. Applications of the fiber laser welder

What is fiber laser welding and how it works

Laser welding is simply the solidification of heat-melted metal. The power of laser welding, the filler metal and laser size are all crucial to not compromise the quality of the welded part.
The common fiber laser welder is divided into handheld and CNC models. The difference between the two machine types is so great that it is not necessary but difficult to choose. CNC fiber laser welder is very expensive. The machine is not flexible and can only weld in the specified direction. Usually, only very large machine shops choose to buy a CNC fiber laser welder. Still, small businesses or industries that want to weld directly with a handheld torch can choose a handheld laser welder.

How the fiber laser welder works

The above is the welding process of the handheld welding machine, where different welding techniques are achieved by constantly changing the welding head.

The main components of a fiber laser welding machine

Let's learn more about the important components of a fiber laser welder.

1. Laser source: This is the most critical component of the fiber laser welder. The fiber laser welding machine's laser converts electrons into photons through a fiber core and doped rare earth.
2. Optical components: The optical components converge the generated laser light into a laser beam. Different reflection angles influence the size of the laser beam spot, with smaller spot sizes resulting in narrower welds.
3. Welding torch: The welding torch of the laser welding machine determines the welding method. We commonly see spot welding, continuous welding, fish scale welding, full welding, etc.
4. Doped rare earth: Doped rare earth elements determine the wavelength of the laser.
5. Control panel: The control panel controls the welding parameters of the machine.
6. Cooling system: The cooling system controls the machine's temperature during operation and can prevent the machine from overheating.

Factors affecting fiber laser welding

Laser frequency

Select a suitable laser frequency to achieve a smooth surface and a narrow-diameter weld. The laser frequency determines the welding result. The laser energy is inversely proportional to the laser frequency, so if the frequency is too high, the laser energy will be too low to weld the material adequately.

Spot diameter

The spot diameter is also crucial and the spot size is smaller than possible. Too small a spot can lead to distortion of the workpiece, and too large a spot can lead to low energy density and inadequate welding.

Fiber laser cables

The diameter of the fiber laser cable affects the quality of the laser. Too small a diameter can lead to laser scattering, and too large a diameter can lead to energy loss and excessive laser reflection.

Laser power 

The laser power determines the total amount of laser beam produced. Generally, the higher the laser power better the welding results. However, when the laser power is much higher than the power required for welding, the reflected laser light can burn the skin during welding. If the laser power is too low, the welding of the workpiece will not be completed.

Welding speed

The welding speed affects the weld result. Too fast a welding speed can lead to wasted material, and too slow a speed can lead to inadequate welding.

Gas flow

Like the air assist on the cutting machine, the fiber laser welder has a position to provide airflow. Choosing the right gas flow rate before use can effectively solve problems such as inadequate welding and contamination of the weld seam.

Workpiece condition

The surface of the workpiece to be welded must be clean, so many fiber laser welders now also have a laser cleaning function. The purpose of this is to clean the surface of the workpiece with the cleaning function before welding.

Advantages of the fiber laser welder

Flexible operation

The handheld laser welder is mobile and easy to carry. With simple training, the operator can operate the fiber laser welder independently, saving learning time and labor costs.
You can set the fiber laser welder's laser power and welding method individually, and be used for welding most metal materials.

High weld quality

The welds made with the fiber laser welder are narrower, less prone to fracture and even stronger than the raw metal.
The finished weld has a smooth surface and requires little or no manual handling afterward.

Safe operation

The fiber laser welding machine has several built-in safety alarms alerting you to irregularities or internal faults.

Cost-effectiveness

The extremely long service life of the weld requires little or no secondary processing, significantly reducing your production costs.

Full functionality

Many handheld fiber laser welders now support not only metal welding but also metal cleaning.

Applications of the fiber laser welding machine

Fiber laser welding machines are used in many applications, and we use welding technology in many industries.

1. The automotive industry: from the car frame to the internal bearings etc., all use laser welding.
2. Transportation: Whether an aircraft or a train, many tracks are welded, and small parts fix using laser welding. In particular, aircraft wings weld using a fiber laser welding machine to weld aluminum plates.
3. Electronics: This is the industry that uses laser welding extensively. All electrical appliances need to have circuit boards. And many of the electrical components on the circuit board are chosen to be laser welded on top of the blank pcb.
4. Jewelry industry: bracelets, necklaces, rings, and many other ornaments chose to be laser welded and then polished and polished, etc., to make the ornaments more unique and attractive.
5. Medical industry: many heart stents or medical devices chose to be assisted with laser welding.
6. In the construction industry: welding techniques are used for common door frames and metal frames for buildings.

Best Fiber Laser Welding Machine

LCW2000 Handheld Laser Welding & Cleaning

This is a welding & cleaning machine with 1500W, 2000W, and 3000W lasers that allow you to easily weld metals and alloys such as stainless steel, iron, copper and aluminum.
This fiber laser welder can achieve a cleaning width of 0-80 mm and a focus height of 600 mm.
You can change the welding speed from 0 to 120 mm/s. It is also easy to weld seams of 0.5 to 3 mm.
The LCW2000 fiber laser welder is ideal for welding stainless steel doors and windows, medical devices, aircraft feathers and more.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Cons of fiber laser welding

CNC fiber laser welder is expensive.

Materials that cannot be laser welded

Although the fiber laser welder can weld most metals, we can not use it to weld cold-worked steel, tungsten carbide and sintered metals.

The service life of the fiber laser welder

Under normal conditions, the service life of a fiber laser welding machine is 100,000 hours, which means a service life of approximately 10 years.