The procedure of joining a couple or more metal pieces together by using different techniques is known as welding. The traditional devices used for this system included the arc welding and spot welding machines.
Now, just like other industrial procedures, laser systems have also come into this procedure during which the latest laser systems are used to join several pieces of metal with each other. There are also special devices and machines created for the same which include electronic beam welding, laser beam welding, gas lasers etc. Because of the highly concentrated heat sources of these lasers, there are a number of advantages that include making deep and narrow welds on the surface. Because of its high volume and swift applications, versatile laser welding system is used in a number of industries.
The procedure of using a laser beam welding allows the possibility of high influence density that provides localized affected heat zones which then provide high amounts of cooling and heating rates. The size of the laser beams used in the welding procedures can vary from 0.1 mm to as high as 12 mm but the latest laser beam welding systems mostly go for smaller sized lasers. The penetration depends on the laser’s focal point and this depth is also dependent and in almost all cases proportional to the amount of power supplied. If the penetration has to be maximized, then the focal point of the laser beam welding should be just below the material surface being worked upon.
Depending on the application in which laser welding is being used, the laser could be either continuous beam or a pulsed laser. The pulsed laser or beams shoot pulses that long for just milliseconds. This is mostly used for thin sheet metals and other thin materials whereas the continuous electronic beam welding is used for deep welds. The most popular lasers used for welding and cutting are just two – solid state lasers and gas lasers. The latter use carbon dioxide, helium and nitrogen for the medium whereas the former use aluminum oxide with chromium or other similar solid state materials such as neodymium in glass or synthetic ruby to get the job done. When these different mediums are excited by the machine then they emit high velocity photons that form a powerful laser beam.
The power requirement for the solid state lasers are quite low as compared to the gas lasers as the latter can be used to work at a power of twenty five kilowatts. Both the laser systems can be used for continuous and pulse modes. Gas lasers work for high power as they require low current and high voltage source to animate the compound mixture used there. In comparison, the gas lasers have longer wavelengths than the solid state ones. However, this is also a cause of concern as the operators have to use specifically designed screens or goggles to prevent retina damage or any eye problem. Moreover, fibre optics is also used to ensure that the laser beam is delivered directly to the welding surface or area.
In the process of laser welding or beam welding and other welding process, there are different hazards that people who are employing lasers or using different welding system. One of the hazards is concerning the eyes. Exposure to the laser energy and light energy can cause problems to the eyes. Laser welders who are using lasers in their day to day activity are prone to becoming blind. Another concern is the skin, too much exposure to laser services and processing could cause laser cancer. Some lasers use chemicals that are too harmful for the user. And of course laser welder is always near fire accidents because of the carbon dioxide that it emits. In welding processes, fire is inevitable.
And if you are using laser welding then you need to know the safety tips in the welding process. Check out the following tips when you do laser welding or beam welding:
- Make sure that your welding machine has the correct amount of power supplied. Check the voltage of your equipment and make sure that you input it in the correct power outlet.
- Be sure to use clothing that is made from materials that can withstand heat and remains from metal. If you are welding metal or steel, it would excrete of give off residues when you are doing your workpiece. The surface of your skin should be protected during laser application.
- Use helmets during welding processes. In automotive industry, when one welds the car overhead then be sure to protect your head from the being hurt.
- Use gloves in laser drilling and fine cutting to make sure that your hands will not get burned. Let us use the practices of manufacturing engineers when it comes to safety. They have protection against molten metal, constant heat and other things that might hurt them in the process of manufacturing.
- Use shades or eye protection to keep the rays of the laser burning your retina.
- Put a protective piece around the welding are to avoid materials coming out from the welding machine to hurt others. Especially if you are working at home and you have your kids around, you have to be really extra careful.
In everything that we do, we must employ proper safety. If someone can find welding system featuring safety precautions then that would surely be part of my list if incase I plan to buy any welding equipment.
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