High-Power COIL and YAG Laser Welding
Abstract
We have constructed a laser welding system, which enabled high-power laser welding by combining three laser beams of 1 micrometer wavelength. Its wavelength enables optical silica fibers transmission and the flexible system. The heart of this system consists of a 4 kW and a 6 kW Nd:YAG lasers and a 10 kW Chemical Oxygen-Iodine Laser (COIL). The average power of the combined beam is up to over 20 kW. The effects of various welding parameters were investigated, such as the laser power, pulse modulation, and so on. The 10 kW COIL has a very good beam quality which is 64 mm.mrad. The beam spot diameter is 0.48 mm at the focal point. On the contrary the beam quality of Nd:YAG laser is worse, but it has the function of pulse modulation which the COIL dose not have. As a result of the welding test with the 6 kW Nd:YAG laser, it was clarified that the pulse wave (PW) has good efficiency of deeper penetration at low welding speed. When the combined beam with CW COIL and PW Nd:YAG laser was used, 20 mm penetration on the stainless steel could be achieved at a welding speed of 1 m/min.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 24, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADP012387
Entities
People
- Akiyoshi Hayakawa
- Fumio Wani
- Kozo Yasuda
- Sachio Suzuki
- Tokuhiro Nakabayashi
Organizations
- Kawasaki Heavy Industries