Laser welding has traditionally been limited to mechanized welding systems requiring a motion system with the ability to accommodate all required joint locations and orientations. Recently, EWI acquired an IPG LightWELD handheld laser welding system, which combines the flexibility of a handheld process like GMAW welding with the low-heat input, high travel speeds of the laser welding process.
This new capability opens possibilities of applying laser welding to applications with continually changing part geometries and/or replace some current manual arc welding applications. The low-heat input laser process offers significant advantages for welding sheet metal and other applications where distortion is critical. With guided (“in-contact”) welding (for laser safety considerations) and the addition of a wire feeder to provide more consistent travel speed, the system requires less operator skill than typical, manual arc welding.
The LightWELD system also has laser cleaning capabilities that allow for material weld joint preparation using the same system and can provide a pristine surface suitable for welding. With all these capabilities combined into this small form factor end effector, EWI has plans to employ the LightWELD system to many manual and automated laser processing application in the coming months.
EWI continues to invest in the latest joining technologies including laser welding technologies that continue to advance, evolve, and grow. To learn more about EWI’s Laser Processing capabilities, contact [email protected] or click here.
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This post is for informational purposes only and is not intended as an endorsement of the IPG Lightweld.