Nd:YAG and CO₂ laser welding of complex geometries Available to Purchase

Because the 1.06 micron wavelength of Nd:YAG laser light can be transmitted easily and efficiently by optical fibres, this type of laser can be utilised effectively for the laser welding of complex geometries. Even though CO₂ laser light has to be manipulated via moving mirrors, these lasers can also be used for the welding of three-dimensional structures. This paper will describe four different examples of the laser welding of large metallic structures of complex geometry, constructed from materials ranging from 1.5 to 10mm in thickness. These consist of a C-Mn steel stiffened panel, some 5m × 2m × 200mm in size, representative of those used in the shipbuilding sector and welded using robotically manipulated Nd:YAG laser power, an airfoil wing section, over 2m in length and manufactured from titanium alloy, using gantry manipulated Nd:YAG laser power, a stainless steel chuted mixer, used for noise reduction in jet engines, cut and welded using a gantry delivered CO₂ laser beam and a C-Mn steel test piece, designed to employ a range of several joint configurations and utilising 8kW of Nd:YAG laser power, delivered by optical fibre and articulated arm robot, in a final stake welding operation.