Advantages of laser welding over TIG and MIG/MAG methods
Speed of Laser Welding as a Key Benefit
"One of the biggest advantages of laser welding is its incredible speed. When welding without additional material, the speed is controlled by the movement of the operator’s hand movement, which allows immediate adaptation to the working conditions," says Jiří Rak, Sales Director of FANTECH Europe s.r.o. in the introduction. When using the additional wire, the speed of welding is determined by the unwinding of the wire from the feeder. It is recommended to set the feeder speed at 60-80 cm per minute, while the welding can be accelerated further if necessary. However, increasing the speed requires an adequate increase in the power of the FANTECH laser welder.
Minimal Deformation Due to Laser Precision
Laser welding minimizes thermal deformation of the welded materials due to the concentrated energy of the laser beam, which is applied only within the selected weld width, which is between 2-3 mm. This limits the thermal influence on the surrounding material, resulting in up to 70% reduction in deformation compared to the TIG method. This benefit is particularly valued when welding thin sheet metal and long parts, where minimizing deformation reduces the need for subsequent operations such as straightening or manufacturing expensive cooling fixtures.
Saving of Shielding Gases With Laser Welding
"When welding with a FANTECH laser welder, nitrogen can be used for all materials and is much cheaper than other shielding gases such as argon. This fact significantly reduces operating costs," explains Jiří Rak. Argon can of course also be used, especially when welding aluminium, where it minimizes the formation of pores in the weld - this is particularly important for thicker materials.
Perfect and Smooth Weld Without Spatter
Laser welding is characterized by aesthetically clean and smooth welds that are virtually free of spatter, droplets and other defects associated with arc welding. The use of filler material achieves a smooth and aesthetically clean weld, with the feeder extending the wire evenly and smoothly in the direction of welding. This process ensures high quality results that are immediately ready for further production operations without further modifications.
Easy Operation for All Operators
Operating the FANTECH laser welder is intuitive and easy, eliminating the need for an experienced welder. "An average-skilled operator can achieve professional results after a short training period. When delivering the machine, we provide comprehensive training that covers not only operation and basic maintenance, but also familiarization with the machine’s operation," adds Jiří Rak. The service team is always available to answer any questions regarding machine operation or the welding process.
Minimal operating costs and available spare parts
FANTECH laser welding machines are characterized by minimal operating costs, with the only consumables being the protective lenses in the welding head. "These lenses protect the optical system from dirt and need to be replaced depending on the type of production and the cleanliness of the environment - typically we recommend it within a few weeks. When purchasing a FANTECH laser welder, 10 lenses are included free of charge. We stock sufficient spare parts and can dispatch them within 24 hours from ordering," concludes Jiří Rak. Additionally, these welders consume less electrical energy compared to traditional welding equipment, further reducing operating costs.