Welding and Laser Welding in Automobile Industry
Welding is one of the most important industrial processes used in automobile industry. It is mainly used to join two pieces of metals together in order to form a stronger structural entities. All types of welding processes can be used to join two pieces of metals including arc welding, gas welding, resistance welding and oxy-fuel welding. However, laser welding has become the primary welding process in many car manufacturing company in the current times. This article explains about the welding process in general and explores the advantages of laser welding in automobile industry.
Welding is a process in which two pieces of the same or different materials are joined together by the application of heat, pressure, or a combination of both. Heat generated by a gas flame (gas welding) or an electric arc (arc welding) is used by welders to join the materials. The weld is made by melting parts of the base material and joining them together. The entire process of welding is carried out under controlled environment and the piece of metal is cooled down to give a solid structure.
The use of laser welding has grown significantly in the automobile industry in the past 15 years. Laser welding offers the possibilities to increase welding accuracy and precision and to perform a more accurate and faster welding process. It also eliminates consumables such as wires and flux and increases productivity by reducing the amount of heat affected zone. The weld joint is smoother and of higher quality compared to other welding processes.
In addition to its accuracy and speed, laser welding offers several other advantages to car manufacturers. First, it allows for welding in tight spaces as the beam can be as small as 0.1mm. Second, it requires no filler material and can be completed in one single pass, resulting in less wasted material. Third, it produces virtually no HAZ (Heat Affected Zone) which reduces or eliminates the need for post-weld processing and saves time. Finally, laser welding offers greater flexibility and can weld a variety of materials such as steel, aluminum, and titanium, making it suitable for a wide range of car manufacturing applications.
Overall, laser welding technology has made an impact in the automobile industry by providing more accurate and faster welding process and reducing the expenses required for welding. It is being used in the automobile industry for welding of body parts, frames, engines, and other components which required more precise welding than conventional welding processes. With its advantages, more and more manufacturers are embracing the use of laser welding in car manufacturing.