Product Code: ICA10_1203

In-Situ Melt Identification during Laser Beam Welding
Authors:
Michael F. Zaeh, Institute for Machine Tools and Industrial Management (IWB) Technische Universität München; Garching Germany
Rüdiger Daub, Institute for Machine Tools and Industrial Management (IWB) Technische Universität München; Garching Germany
Sonja Huber, Institute for Machine Tools and Industrial Management (IWB) Technische Universität München; Garching Germany
Presented at ICALEO 2010

Market needs for higher geometric flexibility in product dimensions and ever shorter production cycles represent a demand for new approaches in working lightweight space structures. Laser welding processes are well established in production lines in the aeronautical and automotive industry. When laser systems are used in automated welding systems, the welding process demand a high degree of reliability and stability. To reduce welding faults inducing by scrap or reworking, a high degree of process understanding is necessary. The more modern the process and the applied laser technologies, the more important knowledge about the fundamental process itself becomes.
This manuscript presents novel spectroscopical investigations used to analyse diverse laser beam welding systems to gain the above process understanding. The results were achieved by processing common materials of todays manufacturing applications (aluminium alloys and different kind of steel). One laser welding technique is the Bifocal Hybrid Laser Welding (BHLW) designed for working challenging aluminium alloys. It was investigated and enhanced at the Institut of Machine Tools and Industrial Management (iwb). The second welding system investigated consists of a single 6 kW HPDL promising outstanding welding results. The results of these measurements allow an interest insight in both welding techniques and point to further advancements in their manufacturing application.