Scanner-based welding

Scanner-based welding combines contour and simultaneous welding. The focused laser beam is guided along the welding contour at higher feed rates compared to contour welding while using galvanometric mirrors. The goal of this method is to heat and melt the entire seam simultaneously. This allows for a more even heating of the seam path, enabling the compensation of geometrical deviations of the joining partners. Scanner-based welding, however, produces small amounts of flash.

The cycle times of this process are much shorter than the contour welding cycle times. Maximum part dimensions are limited to approx. 230 mm x 230 mm (depending on the desired focus diameter) by the scanning optics. The use of several systems is possible for larger. Scanner-based welding is not an ideal solution for complex 3-dimensional contours, being much better suited for welds that must be carried out within very short cycles, for small parts or for applications, that need to monitor the melt travel in order to provide an effective system for quality assurance.

Sensor electronics in automotive construction is an ideal application for scanner-based welding. In this case a LaserQuipment^® system can achieve cycle times of less than three seconds for joint paths of approximately 100 mm in length. All the necessary laser protection devices as well as the process monitoring systems are integrated in the welding system, that is equipped with a part specific clamping tool.