Common Defects and Solutions in Laser Welding

The most common problems in laser welding are the appearance of bubbles, cracks, and uneven welds, all of which can be caused by dirty materials, improper parameter settings, or inadequate maintenance of the welding equipment.By standardizing pre-welding treatment, optimizing power and speed parameters, regularly calibrating the laser beam, and managing the protective gas, the quality of the welds can be effectively improved.Regular attention to the cleanliness of the mirrors, the maintenance of the cooling system, and the control of environmental temperature and humidity can greatly reduce the frequency of equipment breakdowns and extend the life of the laser marker.

The most common problem with laser welding.

Although laser welding is efficient and precise, in actual use it has some problems.For example, if a weld suddenly develops a bubble, or if a material splits in a way that can't be explained, this not only affects the product's appearance, but it can also reduce its strength.Let's take a look at the roots of these questions.

How do the pores and bubbles get into the glass?

Pores are an old friend of laser welding. They often appear because of oil on the surface of the material, or high humidity in the environment.This is especially the case with aluminum, which is a very reactive metal. If there is even a tiny amount of moisture in the air, it will react with the high-temperature laser, creating small bubbles.The solution was simple.

The cracks in the welds were driving us crazy.

Problems with cracks often arise from the setting of parameters.If the power is set too high, the material may be burned through.I suggest that you first do a small test to find the combination of power and speed that is suitable for the material you are using.If you are welding dissimilar materials, remember to do a preheat treatment to bring the expansion coefficients of the two materials closer together.

These details should never be ignored.

If the focus is off, it's all for nothing.

If the laser head is too far from the workpiece or too close, the energy will be dispersed. The weld seam will either look like a worm track or will directly burn through.By spending two minutes before each work session to calibrate the focus, and testing the quality of the light spots with a target board, you can save a lot of time in having to do rework later on.

Protective gases are not just for show.

Some people feel that using the protective gas is a waste of money, and the result is that the welds oxidize and turn black.Actually, you don't have to turn on the argon or nitrogen too much, just enough to cover the welding area.In particular, when welding stainless steel the protective gas should flow in the same direction as the weld.

Daily maintenance can extend the life of equipment.

Remember to clean the laser's lenses once a week with a lint-free cloth, and to change the cooling water every three months.If the quality of the welding suddenly drops, first check and see if the laser beam has shifted. Many times, simply readjusting the beam will solve the problem.The temperature of the workshop should be kept at about 25 ° C, since too high a temperature will cause the laser's power to become unstable.