Improvements of the welding performance of plasma arcs by a superimposed fibre laser beam

Achim Mahrle; Sascha Rose; Michael Schnick; Thomas Pinder; Eckhard Beyer; Uwe Füssel

doi:10.1117/12.906678

6 February 2012 Improvements of the welding performance of plasma arcs by a superimposed fibre laser beam

Achim Mahrle, Sascha Rose, Michael Schnick, Thomas Pinder, Eckhard Beyer, Uwe Füssel

Proceedings Volume 8239, High Power Laser Materials Processing: Lasers, Beam Delivery, Diagnostics, and Applications; 82390D (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.906678
Event: SPIE LASE, 2012, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Details and results of experimental investigations of a laser-supported plasma arc welding process are presented. The particular feature of the realized experimental set-up is the coaxial arrangement of a single-mode fibre laser beam through a hollow tungsten electrode in combination with a modified plasma welding torch. The analysis of the welding capabilities of the combined laser-arc source comprises high-speed video recordings of the arc shape and size, corresponding simultaneous measurements of the arc voltage as well as an evaluation of the resultant weld seam geometries. Results of welding trials on different types of steel and aluminum alloys are discussed. The corresponding investigations reveal that a fibre laser beam with a wavelength of 1.07 microns can have a crucial impact on the arc and welding characteristics for both categories of materials even at very low laser power output levels. Beneficial effects are especially observed with high welding speeds. In that particular case the arc root and therefore arc column can be substantially stabilized and guided by the laser-induced hot spot.

Citation Download Citation

Achim Mahrle, Sascha Rose, Michael Schnick, Thomas Pinder, Eckhard Beyer, and Uwe Füssel "Improvements of the welding performance of plasma arcs by a superimposed fibre laser beam", Proc. SPIE 8239, High Power Laser Materials Processing: Lasers, Beam Delivery, Diagnostics, and Applications, 82390D (6 February 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.906678

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available