Small Batch Laser Welding Using Light Fasteners and Laser Tack Welding

Abstract:

Laser welding is known for its low heat input compared to arc welding methods. This could enable laser welding of sheet metals with lighter fastening solutions and less time-consuming tack welding alternatives. A feasibility study was carried out to study four different corner joint types for 2 mm thick cold rolledcold-rolled steel sheet by using filler-free laser welding. The aim of the research was to get more experimental knowledge about the laser welding of corner joints. Also possible benefits concerning faster manufacturing times and smaller costs by developing fastening applications for small batch laser welding was to be studied in practice. The 170 mm long joints were welded without air gap or pressing. All corner joint types proved to be weldable with a continuous wave Yb:YAG diode-pumped disk laser. It was also found during the With the experiment it was also found out that laser welding enables the use of light and inexpensive fasteners such as magnetic holders in steadinstead of traditional clamps and fixturing. With some joint types, the insufficient fastening power of magnetic fasteners against distortions was compensated by making a spot-like laser tack weld toat the end of the weld before welding the actual seam. This showed that it is possible to make precise and small tack welds with a laser and to use laser -tacking in sheet metal assembly.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volume 473)
• Pages: 267-272
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.473.267
• Online since: March 2011
• Authors: Milla Rasmus, Kari Mäntyjärvi, Jussi A. Karjalainen
• Keywords: Laser Tack Welding, Laser Welding, Light Fasteners

References

[1] M. Keskitalo and K. Mäntyjärvi: Yb: YAG Disc Laser Welding of Austenitic Stainless Steel Without Filler Material, Key Engineering Materials Vols. 410-411 (2009), pp.87-96.

DOI: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/kem.410-411.87

[2] J. Mäkikangas, K. Mäntyjärvi, M. Keskitalo, J. A. Karjalainen, J. Niemelä and J. Ojala: Laser Welding of Coated Sheet Metal Constructions, Proceedings of the 11th NOLAMP Conference in Laser Processing of Materials, August (2007), pp.340-348.

[3] J. C. Ion: Laser processing of engineering materials: principles, procedure and industrial application (Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann, 2005).

[4] J. Xie and A. Kar: Laser Welding of Thin Sheet Steel with Surface Oxidation, Welding Research Supplement, October (1999), pp.343-348.

[5] D. Farson and R. F. Duhamel: Taking advantage of laser welding, The Fabricator (Digital version), Published May 15, (2001).

[6] W. M. Steen, Laser Material Processing, 3rd Edition (Springer, 2003).

[7] L. Li: The Advances and Characteristics of High-Power Diode Laser Materials Processing, Optics and Lasers in Engineering, Vol. 34 (2000), pp.231-253.

DOI: 10.1016/s0143-8166(00)00066-x

[8] Information on http: /www. ruukki. com.