With the widespread adoption of laser cutting machines, the precision of sheet metal cutting has significantly improved, which in turn has created favorable conditions for the application of laser welding technology. Many companies are now considering the use of laser welding to enhance welding precision and aesthetic appeal.
Advantages of Laser Welding
- Laser Welding Prevails in Both Low-End and High-End Markets
Laser welding is cost-effective in the low-end processing market and overcomes the limitations of traditional welding processes in high-end manufacturing. It is widely used in both low-end and high-end markets.
In the low-end market, the primary product is handheld laser welding. These machines are compact, easy to operate, and capable of handling complex and irregular welding tasks. They are mainly used for welding metal and non-metal sheets with a thickness of less than 3mm. Common application areas include sheet metal, kitchenware, sanitary ware, and hardware in the light industry.
In the high-end market, laser welding meets the demands of downstream manufacturers for automation, safety, precision, product yield, and processing efficiency. It achieves welding results that are unattainable with traditional welding techniques and is widely used in industries such as power batteries, automotive, and consumer electronics.
- High Welding Efficiency and Low Labor Costs
The economic benefits of handheld laser welding are becoming increasingly evident. In terms of procurement costs, a handheld laser welder costs about 30,000 RMB, more than 10 times the price of a traditional arc welder. However, the welding efficiency of laser welding is approximately three times that of arc welding. If a project requires three arc welders, one laser welder can handle the entire workload, reducing the labor requirement to one-third of what is needed with traditional methods. For example, in a project that requires three arc welders (equivalent to one laser welder), switching to laser welding can reduce the average annual total cost by 74,000 RMB, highlighting significant economic benefits. Additionally, laser welding has minimal energy loss, meets energy-saving and environmental protection requirements, and provides superior welding results and joint quality.
- Specificity in Different Application Fields
While laser cutting machines are versatile across various application areas with minimal differences, laser welding machines exhibit specificity in different downstream markets. Depending on the application, different welding methods may be employed. For instance, brazing is commonly used for automotive body welding, while heat conduction or laser conduction welding is frequently used for medical device welding.