higher welding speed than resistance spot welding (RSW). Up to 80% reduction of processing times compared to RSW. 2) Costs — Investment and running costs of up to five RSW cells may be replaced by one remote laser welding cell. Less floor space usage. Less maintenance and logistics are required for robots and spot resistance guns. 3) Flexibility in car body manufacturing — Any weld seam pattern like a circle, stitch line, S, or C shape is possible. Weld seam geometry can be adapted precisely to actual load situation at the joint. Fig. 7 — Actual project used for comparison of processes. Weld seam patterns allow for smaller flanges and reduced weight and material cost. Different tasks or parts can be processed within one single remote welding cell. 4) Flexibility in car body design — Single-sided access to the weld joint is possible. Components with closed cross sections may be laser welded. Tubes and profiles may be used in car body design, offering higher rigidity than pressed panels, along with reduced cost and weight. 5) Process advantages — Higher precision parts are possible due to the flexibility of laser welding. Less heat input results in less distortion and higher precision of welded parts. 6) Total costs — Better balance of total costs as compared to RSW. Faster Fig. 8 — Metal vapor dissipated with process jets. WELDING JOURNAL 51
Welding Journal | January 2013
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