Laser Welding Automation, Now Within Reach

Article content provided by IPG Photonics.

For decades, laser welding has been a critical component of high-productivity production lines, such as those used in automotive factories. Laser welding and automation offer powerful benefits to manufacturers, working together to make excellent welds both quickly and reliably.

However, the cost and integration challenges of lasers and robotics have made these benefits relatively inaccessible to smaller operations. Traditional robotic laser solutions are expensive, require a robotics specialist on staff, and are only practical when producing high volumes of repetitive welds. However, with the relatively recent introduction of laser welding cobot systems, that is beginning to change.

Cobots have experienced a rapid rise in popularity in operations of all sizes, particularly for welding jobs. Cobots, as their name suggests, are designed to work alongside human operators and are smaller, safer, and significantly easier to program, making them better suited for high-mix, low-volume fabrication. They also usually come at a much lower cost.

Although welding cobots are a relatively new innovation, they have traditionally utilized arc welding processes like MIG and TIG. However, handheld laser welders, such as LightWELD®, are also finding their way into cobot-integrated solutions.

Due to the extremely high energy density of laser beams, handheld laser welding is fast and dramatically reduces distortion caused by excessive heat input, which is particularly appealing for sheet metal and HVAC fabrication. When combined with the consistency and flexibility of a cobot, laser welding can supercharge welding productivity, even in smaller shops.

Of course, laser safety is a factor that must be considered. Laser light is hazardous to unprotected eyes, requiring operators and bystanders within line of sight of the process to wear protective goggles. One approach is to install a laser welding cobot in a specially designed laser welding booth. In the case of the LightWELD Cobot System, however, a laser-safe enclosure can be mounted directly onto the worktable, greatly simplifying integration when floor space is limited.

Click here to learn more about the LightWELD Cobot System

Since 1990, IPG Photonics has been a leader and innovator in laser technology. Today, IPG offers a broad range of high-performance lasers and laser systems that are used in global material processing, medical, and advanced applications.

SMACNA members interested in learning more about IPG Photonics can visit www.ipgphotonics.com or email sales.ipgm@ipgphotonics.com.

IPG takes pride in building the most productive, reliable, and energy-efficient laser solutions on the market. In addition, the company offers in-depth laser process and application development to provide powerful solutions for virtually every industry and application.