Product Code: JLA_18_4_283

Authors:
Y. Yao
Jilin University and China FAW Group Corporation R&D Center, No. 35 Chuangye Street, 130011 Changchun, China

M. Wouters
Luleå University of Technology, Division of Manufacturing Systems Engineering, S-971 87, Luleå, Sweden

J. Powell
Luleå University of Technology, Division of Manufacturing Systems Engineering, S-971 87, Luleå, Sweden and Laser Expertise Ltd., Acorn Park Ind. Estate, Harrimans Lane, Nottingham NG7 2TR, United Kingdom

K. Nilsson
A. F. H. Kaplan
Luleå University of Technology, Division of Manufacturing Systems Engineering, S-971 87, Luleå, Sweden

This article presents the results of an experimental program to investigate the sensitivity of the hybrid laser-MAG welding process to gaps between the work pieces being welded. It was concluded that the minimum throat depth of the welds remained surprisingly stable for fillet welds as long as the metal active gas (MAG) parameters were set high enough to fill the gaps involved (up to a gap size of approximately 3 mm). If the MAG parameters were insufficient then the welding process collapsed with increasing gap widths.