Title: Applications and case studies of laser hybrid welding in the automotive industry

Authors: H. Staufer

Addresses: Fronius International GmbH, Gunter Fronius Strasse 1, 4600 Wels, Austria

Abstract: In joining technology, the high welding speed on the one and the good gap bridging ability on the other hand play a significant part. It is no doubt that the laser beam welding and the GMA welding have been established in the welding technology for very long, and that both processes allow a wide field of application in the joining technology. New possibilities and synergetic effects, however, are based on the combination of both processes. The laser radiation causes a very narrow thermally affected zone with a high ratio between welding depth and seam width. In the case of the laser welding process, the gap bridging ability is very low due to the small focus diameter, however very high welding speeds can be achieved. The GMA or Tandem welding process features a significantly lower energy density has a larger focused spot on the material surface and is characterised by its good gap bridging ability.

Keywords: laser hybrid welding; laser brazing; laser welding; laser tandem welding; automotive welding; automobile industry; laser beam welding; GMA welding; gas metal arc welding.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMP.2010.035942

International Journal of Microstructure and Materials Properties, 2010 Vol.5 No.2/3, pp.234 - 244

Published online: 10 Oct 2010 *

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