Field Report: Is LASER Welding Better Than TIG Welding?

Laser welding in industrial environments is becoming more and more popular than traditional MIG welding and TIG welding methods, but why?

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Serra Laser's Evan Shea runs us through some of the differences and similarities of a laser welder compared to TIG welding, including why a laser weld can not only be faster but also stronger and cheaper than a TIG weld.

Using the IPG LightWELD 1500 laser welder as the example, we take a look at what shielding gas is used between nitrogen gas and argon gas with a laser welder for copper, aluminium, titanium, steel, stainless steel & nickel alloys as well as discussing if back purging is still required.

Material preparation and fit up are also talked about, along with a laser welder's ability to put less heat into your material while being 4 x faster or more in some cases than TIG welding and at least 2 x faster than MIG welding while still being able to weld material as thick as 6.35mm (1/4") with good penetration.

While the price of laser welding machines is out of reach for most home welders for the moment, this is a technology that has already seen a significant reduction in price over just the last few years as well as the portability (not discussed) of laser welding units improving as well.

We're excited to see where laser welding continues to head in the future regarding motorsport fabrication across all levels, from local club racing to professional race builds.