Laser welding machines and traditional welding methods are currently two commonly used welding processes. Laser welding machines use laser beams to weld workpieces, while traditional welding methods rely on arc, gas welding, or friction to achieve welding. There are significant differences between these two methods in terms of process, welding quality, efficiency, and applicability.
1. Different working principles:
Laser welding:
Using a high-energy density laser beam to irradiate the surface of the workpiece, the material is instantly melted and bonded together to achieve welding. Laser welding has the characteristics of non-contact and local heating, with concentrated energy and strong controllability.
Traditional welding:
Including arc welding, resistance welding, gas shielded welding (such as MIG/MAG welding, TIG welding, etc.), these methods mainly use electric arc, resistance heat or chemical reaction heat to locally melt the workpiece, and complete the welding with filler materials or self fusion.
2. Process effect:
Laser welding: With a small heat affected zone, fast welding speed, high precision, narrow weld seam and large aspect ratio, it can achieve high-quality welding results, especially suitable for precision and thin plate welding, and is not easily deformed.
Traditional welding: The heat affected zone is relatively large, and the welding speed varies depending on the method used. The weld width is large, and the aspect ratio is generally small, which can easily lead to deformation, hot cracking, and other problems. However, it has good adaptability for welding thicker materials.
3. Application scope:
Laser welding: widely used in precision instruments, automotive manufacturing, aerospace, medical equipment, 3C electronic products and other fields, especially in situations that require high-precision and complex structural welding, it has obvious advantages.
Traditional welding: widely used in shipbuilding, bridge construction, steel structures, pressure vessels, general machinery manufacturing and other fields, suitable for large-scale production and extensive welding operations.
4. Cost and Equipment:
Laser welding: The equipment investment cost is relatively high, but due to its advantages of high efficiency, precision, and energy saving, the unit cost may be reduced over long-term operation, and production efficiency can be significantly improved in large-scale production.
Traditional welding: The equipment cost is relatively low, the technology is mature, and the maintenance cost is relatively low, but it needs to consider the requirements of manual operation skills, welding efficiency, and post-processing costs (such as polishing, stress relief, etc.).
5. Environmental Protection and Safety:
Laser welding: There is less smoke and harmful substances generated during the welding process, and the working environment is relatively good, but the safety protection requirements of the laser itself are high.
Traditional welding: usually generates a large amount of smoke, toxic gases, and radiant heat, requiring comprehensive ventilation, smoke exhaust, and protective measures.
There are significant differences between laser welding machines and traditional welding methods in terms of process, welding quality, efficiency, and applicability. Choosing the appropriate welding method is necessary to achieve better welding results for different welding requirements.