Application of Laser Remote Welding to an Aluminum Automotive Part

Abstract:

Aluminum alloys are extensively used in the automotive industry in response to increasing requirements for weight reduction in car body architecture. Laser welding of Al alloys has many advantages such as low heat input, narrow heat affected zone, minimal thermal distortion and flexibility. Recently, the development of high brightness lasers - thin disk lasers and fiber lasers enable long focal distance welding so that laser remote welding with scanning mirrors can be used in laser welding of Al alloys. In this study, laser remote welding was implemented to a heat shield part of an automobile by utilizing a 4kW disk laser and a 2-axis scanner. By replacing conventional resistance spot welding, the weld flange length could be reduced from 15mm to 8mm and a cycle time for each welding point could also be reduced from 3.5s to 0.6s.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volumes 654-656)
• Pages: 966-969
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.654-656.966
• Online since: June 2010
• Authors: Cheol Hee Kim, Won Ho Choi, Ki Young Park
• Keywords: Aluminum Part, Automotive, Laser Welding, Remote Welding, Scanner

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