Authors:
Andreas Patschger
Jens Bliedtner
University of Applied Science Jena, Carl-Zeiss-Promenade 2, Jena 07745, Germany

Matthias Hild
JENOPTIK Automatisierungstechnik GmbH, Konrad-Zuse-Straße 6, Jena 07745, Germany

Jean Pierre Bergmann
University of Technology Ilmenau, Neuhaus 1, Ilmenau 98693, Germany

This paper discusses investigations regarding flexible and efficient strategies of laser remote welding of ultra-thin metal foils (≤50 μm) which are applied in the fields of electronics, packaging, and construction. A single-mode fiber laser was used, equipped with a scanner head and diverse objectives. Thus, different optical settings and material thicknesses could be tested and compared with regard to process stability, reliability, and efficiency. The long-term stability of the optical setting was determined related to focus shift and beam shape in the working plane. The specimens were analyzed with methods of micro-sections, microhardness, and tensile strength tests. In this way, it could be shown that laser remote welding of ultra-thin metal foils is a well-suited modern technology which is able to substitute former slower or inflexible techniques, respectively, compound materials with a high in-house production depth.