Product Code: ICAL08_1002

Assessment of Different Laser Hybrid Welding Processes
Authors:
Antti Salminen, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Finland; Lappeenranta Finland
Paul Kah, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Finland; Lappeerenta Finland
Jukka Martikainen, Lappeenranta University of Technology, Finland; Lappeenranta Finland
Presented at ICALEO 2008

The hybrid welding process, which combines two welding processes together (e.g. laser and an arc), has received much consideration in recent years as a high speed, highly competent, excellent quality welding process which recompenses weaknesses of the individual welding processes. A variety of experiments in laser/MIG/MAG hybrid welding have been carried out and results have been published, such as increase in penetration depth, welding speed, bridgeable width of air gap, arc stability and reduction of weld porosity.

This study deal with the different types of hybrid welding processes in addition to describe the means and situation today regarding the principles and applications of each combination e.g. laser/MIG/MAG, laser/TIG, laser/PAW and laser/SAW hybrid welding processes with different lasers. The study is based on analysis of the results of variety of different publications carried out by various research groups. The process is analyzed in regards to; process parameters, type and thickness of the base material, geometrical parameters of processes, power and beam quality together with optical parameters of laser used.

This study look into a) the Productivity, Economy and Quality, b) the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats of the different hybrid welding processes and c) ideas in the future of the applications and ways of application of laser hybrid welding. The effects of parameters and set up can be seen by the analysis thus the basis of analysis of economical feasibly and quality management can be drawn.