How Thick can A Handheld Laser Welding Machine

The 1000 Watt laser welding machine can weld stainless steel up to 3 mm.

The 1500 Watt laser welding machine can weld stainless steel up to 5mm.

The 2000 Watt laser welding machine can weld stainless steel up to 8 mm.

For welds greater than 0.3mm it is recommended to use a laser welding machine with wire feed. Material thickness less than 1 mm, it is recommended to use the laser welding without wire feed, because the wire feed welding speed is relatively slow without wire feed, which can easily cause deformation.

What Materials Can Be Welded by Laser Welding?

Handheld laser welding machines can weld a wide range of materials including:

• Stainless Steel
• Thick steel

   
• Carbon Steel
• Aluminum
• Copper
• Brass
• Titanium
• Nickel Alloys

Additionally, they can handle welding dissimilar materials, which is beneficial for various industrial applications​.

Laser Welding Power, Thickness & Speed Chart

Here’s a simplified chart to illustrate the relationship between laser power, material thickness, and welding speed for common handheld laser welders:

Laser Power	Material Thickness	Welding Speed
1000W	Up to 2 mm	High speed, 3-5 m/min
1500W	Up to 4 mm	Moderate speed, 2-4 m/min
2000W	Up to 6 mm	Slower speed, 1-3 m/min
2500W	Up to 8 mm	Slow speed, <2 m/min

Advantages and Disadvantages of handheld laser welding machines.

Advantages

1. The amount of heat input can be reduced to the minimum required, the heat affected zone has a small range of metallurgical changes and the deformation caused by heat transfer is also minimal.

2. 32mm plate thickness single pass welding process parameters have been checked and qualified, which can reduce the time required for thick plate welding and even eliminate the use of filler metal.

3. No electrodes are required, so there is no concern about contamination or damage to the electrodes. And because it is not a contact welding process, the wear and tear on the machine and deformation can be minimised.

4. The laser beam is easily focused, aligned and guided by optical instruments, and can be placed at an appropriate distance from the workpiece and redirected between machines or obstacles around the workpiece, whereas other welding methods cannot be used due to the above-mentioned space limitations.

Disadvantages

• Cost: The initial investment for a handheld laser welder is significant. This includes the machine itself, but also the complex laser systems and safety features. Compared to traditional welding techniques, the upfront cost is much higher, and ongoing maintenance can add to the expense.

• Limited Welding Depth: Due to the nature of laser welding, handheld units tend to have a lower power output compared to stationary machines. This translates to a shallower weld penetration depth. For thicker materials, a more powerful (and industrial) laser welder would be required.

• Material Pickiness: Laser beams can be quite sensitive to certain materials. Highly reflective surfaces, like aluminum and copper alloys, can deflect the laser energy, making it difficult to achieve a good weld.

• Safety Concerns: Handheld laser welders concentrate a lot of power into a tight beam. Mishandling or improper training can lead to serious eye injuries or burns. Strict safety protocols and proper personal protective equipment (PPE) are essential.

Maximum Thickness of Laser Welding Machine

The maximum thickness that a laser welding machine can handle depends on several factors, including the type of laser, the power of the laser source, the material being welded, and the specific configuration of the machine. Here are some general guidelines:

1. Fiber Lasers: Fiber lasers are commonly used for welding applications due to their high power and efficiency. They can weld materials with thicknesses typically ranging from a few micrometers to several millimeters. For example, a high-power fiber laser (e.g., 1 kW or more) can weld steel up to approximately 4-6 mm thick in a single pass. With multiple passes or higher power lasers, thicker materials can be welded.
2. CO2 Lasers: CO2 lasers are also used in welding, particularly for thicker materials. They are capable of welding thicker sections, often up to 20 mm or more, depending on the power of the laser and the material properties.
3. Disk Lasers: Disk lasers are similar to fiber lasers in performance and can handle similar thicknesses, often welding up to 10 mm or more in a single pass for certain metals.

Maximum Thickness of Laser Welding Machine with Different Power

Laser Power	Stainless Steel (mm)	Aluminum (mm)	Copper (mm)
Up to 1 kW	3	2	1
1 kW to 3 kW	6	4	2
3 kW to 6 kW	10	6	4
6 kW to 10 kW and above	15	10	6

Laser Welding Thickness at Different Powers

Laser Power	Materials & Thickness Capabilities
300W	Stainless Steel: ~0.3mm (adjustable with risk of deformation); Carbon Steel & Titanium: Varies with parameters
600W	Steel Plate: Up to 1.5mm (optimal not exceeding 1mm); Thick Stainless Steel & Home Appliances: Up to 1mm
1000W	Stainless Steel: Up to 2mm (speed <1m/min for 500W for same result)
1500W	Stainless Steel: Up to 5mm
2000W	Stainless Steel: Up to 8mm

Laser Welding Parameters

Power Density: High power density allows for efficient material removal and good welding, typically ranging from 10^4 to 10^6 W/cm².
Pulse Width: Critical for determining the properties of the weld, affecting the depth and quality of the weld pool.
Welding speed: Adjust speed to match power and material thickness to ensure optimal welding quality.
Spot size: Smaller spot size provides greater accuracy and facilitates detailed welding tasks.

Get a Dowell Laser Handheld Laser Welder!

DOWELL LASER provides you with the best laser equipment, including laser cutting, laser welding, cleaning, etc. Contact us now to learn about our laser welding machines. Our experts will guide you to get the laser machine that suits your needs!