Handheld laser welding machines, as an efficient and precise welding tool, play a crucial role in modern manufacturing. The welding effect not only depends on the performance of the equipment, but is also greatly affected by the welding parameters. This article will provide a detailed introduction to the commonly used welding parameters of handheld laser welding machines, helping operators better understand and adjust these parameters to achieve the best welding results.

laser power

Laser power is one of the most critical parameters in handheld laser welding machines, which directly affects the magnitude of welding energy. Laser power is usually expressed as a percentage, and the range of laser power output when a laser is in operation usually varies depending on the device model, but most handheld laser welding machines have adjustable laser power ranges between 50% and 70%, or absolute power between 1500 watts and 3000 watts. In practical operation, the setting of laser power needs to be determined based on the thickness of the sheet metal. Thicker sheets require higher laser power to ensure sufficient melting depth and width, while thinner sheets require the opposite. Excessive power may cause the sheet to burn through or deform. For example, when welding on stainless steel, as the power increases, the depth of fusion after welding becomes deeper, the width of fusion becomes wider, and the welding ability becomes stronger. Therefore, choosing the appropriate laser power is crucial for ensuring welding quality.

welding speed

Welding speed refers to the speed at which the laser beam moves during the welding process, usually measured in meters per minute. Welding speed not only affects production efficiency, but also directly affects welding quality and equipment stability. In handheld laser welding, the welding speed is usually between 0.5 meters per minute and 2 meters per minute. Faster welding speed can improve production efficiency, but it may also lead to a decrease in weld quality, such as insufficient penetration and discontinuous welds. On the contrary, although a slower welding speed can improve the quality of the weld seam, it will reduce production efficiency and may increase the risk of plate deformation. Therefore, in practical operation, operators need to balance the welding speed based on the properties, thickness, and required weld quality of the welding material.

Welding depth

Welding depth is another important parameter in laser welding, which determines the depth at which the weld penetrates the material. The welding depth is jointly affected by laser power, welding speed, and material properties. In handheld laser welding, the welding depth is usually between 0.5 millimeters and 5 millimeters. Deeper welds can provide stronger connection strength, but may also lead to more heat input and greater deformation. Therefore, choosing the appropriate welding depth requires minimizing heat input and deformation while ensuring connection strength.

PWM frequency and duty cycle

PWM (pulse width modulation) frequency and duty cycle, as an important means to adjust the welding energy output in the handheld laser welding machine, also have an important impact on the welding process. The PWM frequency refers to the number of times the pulse signal is repeated per unit time, while the duty cycle describes the proportion of high levels (i.e. laser on state) in each pulse cycle.

In handheld laser welding, adjusting the PWM frequency can affect the uniformity of heat distribution during welding. A higher frequency usually means a more uniform distribution of heat, which helps reduce thermal stress during the welding process and lower the risk of plate deformation. However, excessively high frequencies may also lead to excessive dispersion of laser energy, affecting the welding depth. On the contrary, lower frequencies may concentrate heat, but attention should be paid to avoiding welding defects caused by local overheating.

The adjustment of duty cycle is directly related to the effective working time of the laser, which in turn affects the total energy input of welding. A higher duty cycle means a longer laser on time and increased welding energy input, making it suitable for welding tasks that require greater penetration depth and width. However, excessively high duty cycles may also cause overheating in the welding area, increasing the likelihood of crack and porosity formation. Therefore, when setting the PWM duty cycle, it is necessary to balance the relationship between welding energy and welding quality based on specific welding requirements.

In summary, the reasonable selection of PWM frequency and duty cycle can not only optimize the output of welding energy, but also improve production efficiency and equipment service life while ensuring welding quality. In practical applications, operators should comprehensively consider the characteristics of welding materials, the interaction between welding parameters, and the required welding effect, and flexibly adjust the PWM frequency and duty cycle to achieve the best welding process.