LASER WELDING SERVICES

Characteristics of the laser welding process

Laser welding is a metal joining process in which a focused laser beam acts as the heat source.

The beam energy causes localized melting of the material in the joint area. As the beam moves away, the molten metal cools and solidifies, forming a weld.

Laser power, welding speed and the focusing method are selected according to the material, component thickness and joint design. Correctly selected parameters allow narrow welds to be produced and limit the effects of heat on adjacent areas of the metal.

Appropriate gas shielding is used depending on the material and process requirements. Joints can be made without filler material or with wire feeding if required by the joint design.

The process is used to join carbon steel, stainless steel and aluminium alloys. Laser welding of stainless steel requires proper surface preparation and edge fit-up. When laser welding aluminium, the material’s high thermal conductivity and ability to reflect radiation are also taken into account.

Products for which laser welding is used

The process is used to manufacture sheet metal parts and structures where joint precision, maintaining geometry and surface quality are important.

Main types of products:

• Equipment housings and guards — thin-walled metal housings, protective guards, panels and industrial installation components.
• Stainless steel products — housings, tanks, trays, panels and equipment parts with increased requirements for the appearance of welded joints.
• Electrical enclosures and cabinets — welded enclosures, mounting components, internal partitions and structural assemblies.
• Machine and mechanism parts — metal components, brackets, fastening components and assemblies.
• Retail and furniture equipment — metal support frames made from sheet metal and profiles, stands, decorative panels and structures with visible welds.
• Ventilation and air conditioning equipment components — housings, guards, ventilation ducts and HVAC system components.
• Sheet metal products manufactured in series — parts of the same type and assemblies requiring high repeatability of welded joints.

Laser welding is particularly appropriate for manufacturing thin sheet metal structures with precisely prepared edges and products requiring limited heat effects on adjacent areas of the metal.

Advantages of laser welding

• High precision. The focused laser beam concentrates heating in a small area and allows narrow welds to be formed.
• Minimal thermal distortion. The small heat-affected zone reduces the risk of warping and changes in the geometry of thin sheet metal parts.
• High welding speed. With correctly selected parameters, the process provides high productivity, particularly when making long joints.
• Visually appealing welds. The ability to produce even joints with minimal spatter and limited subsequent processing.
• No need for filler material in some joints. With precise edge preparation, welding can be performed without feeding additional metal.
• Automation potential. Laser welding is well suited to mechanized and robotic processes with repeatable joint parameters.

Process limitations

When selecting laser welding, the following characteristics should be considered:

• High requirements for part preparation. Gaps between the edges being joined, contamination and assembly inaccuracies can significantly affect weld quality.
• Limited gap-bridging capability. Welding without filler material requires precise fit-up of the parts being joined.
• Product clamping requirements. Maintaining the position of parts during welding may require special fixtures and tooling.
• Dependence on material properties. High reflectivity, thermal conductivity and the characteristics of metallurgical processes can make welding some metals and alloys more difficult.
• Metal thickness limitations. The ability to weld thick parts depends on the power of the laser source, joint type and selected process parameters.
• Equipment costs. The high cost of laser systems and production tooling can reduce the cost-effectiveness of manufacturing individual simple products.

The choice of laser welding depends on the material, part thickness, joint geometry, weld quality requirements and production volume.

Laser welding within the PRITZ production cycle

PRITZ DEVELOPMENT uses laser welding to manufacture metal parts and assemblies according to customer drawings and technical documentation.

The process complements MIG/MAG, TIG, MMA and resistance spot welding, allowing the most appropriate joining method to be selected according to the product design and production requirements.

Combining laser cutting, sheet metal bending and laser welding ensures precise part preparation and allows welded structures to be manufactured with minimal subsequent machining.

Production planning takes into account part fit-up accuracy, access to welded joints, the need to secure components, the welding sequence and product appearance requirements.

After welding, parts may undergo weld cleaning and grinding, surface preparation, powder coating and final assembly.

Weld quality control is carried out according to the agreed requirements. Weld geometry, appearance and conformity with the documentation are assessed. We agree on the scope of any additional testing before carrying out the order.

Why PRITZ DEVELOPMENT

Series production repeatability
Stability of dimensions, geometry and product quality, and repeatability of welded joints across successive batches.

Full production cycle
Core metalworking operations are carried out within a single production process.

Working from customer documentation
Production is organized based on agreed drawings and technical requirements.

Production of pre-series batches
Before launching regular production, the manufacturing process and product can be checked using a limited batch.

ISO 9001
A quality management system with a valid certificate.

Headquartered in Poland
PRITZ DEVELOPMENT is headquartered in Katowice and focuses on cooperation with B2B customers in Poland and the EU.

Laser welding — price and quotation preparation
The cost of laser welding is influenced by the material, thickness of the components being joined, weld length and accessibility, edge preparation and batch size. When joining stainless steel, requirements for appearance and subsequent surface finishing may also be important.

The quotation is based on technical documentation: drawings, 3D models or a specification defining the material, dimensions, joint requirements and number of pieces. The quotation includes the agreed scope of welding, inspection, surface treatment and assembly, if applicable.

Handheld laser welding
Manually guiding the laser head allows the operator to adapt its movement path to the joint path and component geometry. This approach may be useful when joining housings, guards and profiles. The method of carrying out the process is selected according to weld accessibility, required repeatability and batch size. The feasibility of using handheld laser welding for a specific project requires confirmation during technical analysis.

Laser microwelding
Laser microwelding is used to make very small joints with precise control of the heated area. It is used, among other applications, to join small components and thin materials. It requires an appropriate laser source, optics and accurate part positioning. Microwelding orders require a separate technical assessment based on the part dimensions and joint requirements.