Welding with brilliant lasers: prospects and limitations

Sonja Kittel; Friedrich Dausinger

doi:10.1117/12.841577

15 February 2010 Welding with brilliant lasers: prospects and limitations

Sonja Kittel, Friedrich Dausinger

Proceedings Volume 7585, Laser-based Micro- and Nanopackaging and Assembly IV; 758502 (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.841577
Event: SPIE LASE, 2010, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Now that high brightness laser sources featuring high output power are commercially available, extremely small focal diameters and high power densities permit laser welding with a high aspect ratio at low heat input. With regard to an increase in productivity this implies a deeper weld depth at a higher feed rate and hence at a shorter processing time. In this research, a modular optical system generates focal diameters from 195 μm down to 15 μm for the purpose of identifying the prospects and limitations of the application of high brightness beam sources in laser welding. Metallographical analysis and observation using a high speed camera give information about the weld seam geometry and weld pool dynamics. Thus, the influence of minimizing focal diameters on process stability is evaluated: From the correlation of longitudinal cross-sections and high speed camera observation, an interrelationship between spiking and keyhole breakdown results. In dependence of the particular spot size and the beam quality of the laser source a new processing range arises. These observations are traced back to theoretical beam properties and a fundamental thesis about the applicability of a high brightness laser is derived. Eventually it shows that a small beam diameter is most advantageous for micro application.

Citation Download Citation

Sonja Kittel and Friedrich Dausinger "Welding with brilliant lasers: prospects and limitations", Proc. SPIE 7585, Laser-based Micro- and Nanopackaging and Assembly IV, 758502 (15 February 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.841577

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