The effect of the relative location of laser beam and arc in different hybrid welding processes

Abstract

Hybrid welding requires that several parameters are properly adjusted in order to reach high weld quality. One of the main setup parameters of hybrid welding is the order of the different power sources. The selection partly depends on the results desired for welding whether it is gap bridging, penetration depth, welding speed, melting efficiency, process stability, control of weld width, porosity reduction or weld appearance. In this paper we have studied how the placement of the different sources in laser hybrid welding influences the overall weld quality. The paper is based on an analysis of the results of various studies carried out by different research groups. The process is analyzed with regard to process parameters, the type and thickness of the base material, power and beam quality together with the optical parameters of the laser system applied.Hybrid welding requires that several parameters are properly adjusted in order to reach high weld quality. One of the main setup parameters of hybrid welding is the order of the different power sources. The selection partly depends on the results desired for welding whether it is gap bridging, penetration depth, welding speed, melting efficiency, process stability, control of weld width, porosity reduction or weld appearance. In this paper we have studied how the placement of the different sources in laser hybrid welding influences the overall weld quality. The paper is based on an analysis of the results of various studies carried out by different research groups. The process is analyzed with regard to process parameters, the type and thickness of the base material, power and beam quality together with the optical parameters of the laser system applied.