Laser Beam Welding Process
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Definition
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Laser beam welding (LBW) is technique used to weld pieces of metal together. It uses a laser beam as a heat source, which limits the heat to small areas and raises the speed of both the heating and cooling processes. LBW is often used to make cars, airplanes and spacecraft.
Description of Laser Beam
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The laser beam used in LBW is very thin and very concentrated. It forms when a medium is excited and emits photons. Laser beams can be either continuous or pulsed. Continuous laser systems are used for very deep welding, whereas pulses that last only milliseconds are used to weld very thin materials together.
Types of Lasers
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There are two types of lasers used in the LBW process: solid state lasers and gas lasers. Solid state lasers use solid media, such as synthetic ruby and crystal, to form the laser beam. Gas lasers use gaseous media, such as helium, nitrogen and carbon dioxide to form the laser beam. Solid state lasers operate on much shorter wavelength than gas lasers, but they have much lower power outputs.
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