Product Code: ICA11_1501

Hybrid Welding with Controlled Short Arcs - A Variation of the Reduction of the Energy-Per-Unit Length-
Authors:
Uwe Reisgen, RWTH Aachen University; Aachen
Simon Olschok, RWTH Aachen University; Aachen Germany
Michael Mavany, RWTH Aachen University; Aachen
Presented at ICALEO 2011

Laser GMA hybrid welding where both processes are acting simultaneously in one process zone and where the filler material is molten by the relatively inexpensive electric energy in the arc and not by the beam is the best remedial measure. The increased energy-per-unit length in laser GMA hybrid welding has, however, compared with laser beam welding with cold wire, sometimes a negative influence on the mechano-technological properties of the welded seams made with modern materials. For example, aluminium materials show, sometimes, softening in the heat affected zone. Another problem in the joining of complex parts is the distortion. The coupling of the laser beam process with a low-energetic power source for laser GMA hybrid welding allows the reduction of the energy input, the increase of the strength of joints made of Al or Mg and the decrease of parts distortion.
This process-oriented, consequent further development of laser GMA hybrid welding shall allow the joining of parts in a more efficient and simple way and also the production of components which, so far, cannot be produced due to restrictions in joining possibilities.
The topic of this presentation are the results of laser GMA hybrid welding with controlled short arc. Different materials and thickness of plates have been used for demonstrating the potential.