Hybrid laser welding in shipbuilding – Extension of the application range to vertical down welding

Abstract

The Hybrid Laser Welding (HLW) has become one of the most important manufacturing technologies for an automated and efficient shipbuilding. The technology is successfully used since the early 2000s and mainly applied in the panel manufacturing (flat position groove weld 1G and fillet weld 2F). The target of the research work is to extend the range of application of the Hybrid Laser Welding in shipbuilding to the vertical welding positions 3G (groove weld) and 3F (fillet weld). The welds for wall structures are currently performed by manual vertical-up welding. The implementation of a fully mechanized vertical-down welding system, based on Laser Beam Welding (LBW) and Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) processes will increase the productivity in a huge amount.The Hybrid Laser Welding (HLW) has become one of the most important manufacturing technologies for an automated and efficient shipbuilding. The technology is successfully used since the early 2000s and mainly applied in the panel manufacturing (flat position groove weld 1G and fillet weld 2F). The target of the research work is to extend the range of application of the Hybrid Laser Welding in shipbuilding to the vertical welding positions 3G (groove weld) and 3F (fillet weld). The welds for wall structures are currently performed by manual vertical-up welding. The implementation of a fully mechanized vertical-down welding system, based on Laser Beam Welding (LBW) and Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) processes will increase the productivity in a huge amount.