How Laser Welders Are Changing the Game in the Automotive Repair Industry
One piece of equipment revolutionising the way various industries work is laser welders—and we’re not talking about scenarios far off in the future. One industry in particular that has benefitted from the use of laser welders is the automotive repair industry. How exactly have laser welders been impacting this industry? Let’s take a look!
What are laser welders?
Put simply, a laser welder is a welding device that uses highly concentrated beams of light, known as lasers, to join pieces of metal together. It works by generating a laser through solid-state, gas, or fibre laser systems, which focuses a thin beam of concentrated light onto metal, heating it radically to its melting point and allowing it to fuse the two parts of metal together.
What are the automotive repair applications of laser welders?
In the automotive repair industry, laser welding has made a significant impact. Here are some areas where laser welding is being used currently in the automotive repair industry:
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Body parts
Laser welders are often used to manufacture or repair car body parts. Handheld laser welders are commonly used when welding body panels and other components like the roof, boot, or parts of the car’s frame. Because of the composition of many of the metals used in the automotive industry, specifically for the body of a car, laser welding excels where traditional welding machines struggle as it allows mechanics to work with incredible precision.
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Engine parts
Engine parts can be tricky to weld, especially since they require workers to be precise—one wrong move could be costly. Fortunately, laser welders offer this precision. Handheld welders are great for welding intricate engine components like turbos and ensuring that they can handle the right temperature and pressure in order to repair the intricate parts of a vehicle’s engine.
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Complex parts
Other complex parts of a car, like the transmission system, joints, and various mechanical components, also require the type of precision that laser welding offers. Due to their size, laser welders can reach much smaller areas, allowing for tighter welds for certain needed parts.
Technical features of laser welders
Laser welders are extremely versatile and can benefit more industries than just the automotive one. Here are some of the technical features you can expect when buying a laser welder. Keep in mind that, like traditional welders, you also get different models and laser welders of different sizes.
Power range
Laser welders come in a wide range of different power capacity options. From a smaller 1000w welder to a powerful 12000w laser welder, you can purchase one that can handle delicate materials to materials that require a large power output.
Processes
For welding professionals, welding machines need to have a variety of processes. Fortunately, laser welders are among the most versatile welders you can get when it comes to processes. With a laser welder, you can do the following:
- Laser brazing – used to melt a filler material that fuses the two surfaces without melting them
- Laser swing welding – oscillating the laser to create a wider weld pool. This is used on thicker materials to create a stronger joint
- Laser self-fluxing welding – using a laser to directly melt two metals together
- Laser wire filling – using a focused laser beam to weld from a distance. Ideal for welding where you’re unable to get close to the surface or tight welds
Materials
Laser welding machines can also weld on a variety of surfaces, such as high-quality, strong steel, softer metals like aluminium alloys, or galvanised steel sheets.
Automation
Another benefit of using a laser welder is that it can be integrated simply into an autonomous system like a CNC welding machine, robotic systems programmed to perform certain welding tasks in large manufacturing facilities, or even into automated safety features that utilise laser safety locks and protective enclosures to improve safety in the factory or facility.
Get your laser welder now
More efficient, easier to use, and producing high-quality welds, why wouldn’t you invest in a laser welder? If you’re looking to take hold of the future, check out laser welders for sale at Renteca. Upgrade your workflow and the quality of your welds today.
Final Thoughts
Laser welders are a welcome upgrade to traditional welders. They’re fast, easy to weld with and create strong, quality welds. Adding a laser welder doesn’t require you to throw out your Arc, Mig, or Tig setups though, it can simply add to your arsenal of welders, giving you more variety to work with. That said, it’s clear to us that laser welders are a game changer in the Automotive industry.
