Laser welding and cutting

Case study

Welding of airframe structures with low distortion and the laser cutting and welding of complex shapes, typical of the aeroengine industry, are possible with high power Nd:YAG lasers.

The advantage of the Nd:YAG laser is the ability to transmit the laser beam down a fibre optic, allowing easier manipulation of the beam to remote and complex locations, typically at the end of a robot arm.

The laser itself is a versatile tool already established in the aerospace sector for cutting and drilling. With the higher powers becoming available, cutting and welding of aerospace alloys is now feasible and has been demonstrated on prototype parts.

Combining the cutting operation in the one machine with welding, significantly reduces the stripping down and re-jigging necessary with different work stations.