Product Code: ICAL09_M406

Monitoring a High-speed Cw-laser Welding Process
Authors:
C. Thiel, Forschungsgesellschaft Fuer Strahlwerkzeuge (Fgsw); Stuttgart Germany
R Weber, Institut Fuer Strahlwerkzeuge, University of Stuttgart; Stuttgart Germany
F. Dausinger, Technologiegesellschaft fuer Strahlwerkzeuge mbH; Stuttgart Germany
F. Abt, Forschungsgesellschaft fuer Strahlwerkzeuge FGSW; Stuttgart Germany
Presented at ICALEO 2009

The latest generation of high-brightness disk and fibre lasers allows deep penetration welding with a weld seam width of a few 10 µm and an aspect ratio of up to 15. Welding speeds exceeding 60 m/min are achieved. These properties are very promising for high-productivity joining of small parts like thin sheet and fine tubes with a thickness of up to 1 mm as frequently used in the electronic, automotive and medical industries. For a reliable production not only the installation and tools like axes and clamping devices has to be adapted to the high welding speed and to the small weld dimensions, but also the process control system has to be accelerated in sampling rate in order to get enough information per weld seam length.
In the present talk a multi sensor system will be presented which is able to monitor the achieved weld quality of fine tubes and typical welding errors like humping and the formation of blowholes.