Laser Welding Vs. Micro Welding: What Suits Your Application?

Laser Welding Vs. Micro Welding

Welding services are essential in most industries and are widely used for joining different materials. Laser and micro welding are the common techniques used and are preferred due to their high levels of precision and accuracy. However, these work differently and you may be wondering which is the best choice for your type of work.

Here is what you should know about laser and micro welding:

1. Laser welding

Laser welding uses beams to join materials and is common due to its high precision properties. It has many benefits compared to other types of welding mostly due to its precision levels, minimal heat requirements, and fast welding speeds. There are different types of laser welding that you will get from a professional industrial welding company. These include conduction welding, deep penetration welding, and hybrid welding. Conduction welding is applicable when welding thin materials and deep penetration is used to join thick materials. Similarly, hybrid welding combines both conduction and penetration welding.

Laser welding applications

Laser welding is applicable in different industries and is used in the automotive industry to join body panels, doors, and roof structures. It’s also essential for assembling motor components and batteries, thanks to its ability to work with different materials.

Laser welding is also used in the aerospace industry mostly for welding various components like engine parts and turbine blades. It’s also useful for medical device manufacturing in the medical sector. Micro laser welding produces fine surgical instruments and can weld small parts for medical implants. Laser welding is also used in electronic industries,  jewelry, and watch making, and is useful in delicate repair work for jewelry and watches. It can also create intricate custom designs that require high precision.

 Laser welding has many advantages, these include;

  • High precision
  • Minimal heat input 
  • High-quality welds
  • Minimal distortion
  • Easy automation
  • Doesn’t require filler materials 
  • Fast welding speed

2.Micro welding

Micro welding is a specialized method mostly used for repairing or modifying molds and intricate components.  The technique is offered by leading companies like Micro Weld and is highly precise and is useful where traditional welding won’t work, mostly for joining tiny components.

For instance, plastic molds wear or get damaged over time, especially in areas with fine details, and this type of welding helps restore the damaged areas without the need for new molds. Micro welding is also used for modification, mostly when molds require slight changes. 

Micro welding allows for modification with no need for a full redesign. The process is cost-effective since you don’t need to create new molds, but only extend the life of the existing molds.

Benefits of micro welding 

  • High levels of precision- Micro welding offers high precision levels, which is why it’s widely used to join small or intricate components. It allows for more detailed work and is useful in most industries such as electronics, medical equipment, etc.
  • Minimal heat requirements- The amount of heat used in micro welding is highly localized, and this minimizes the risk of damaging the surrounding materials during welding.
  • Minimal material distortion- Micro welding is associated with minimal levels of material distortion, which makes it an excellent technique for joining delicate parts or components. It’ s also versatile and you can use the technique with a wide range of materials such as aluminum, titanium, steel, and some plastics.
  • Mold longevity and cost-effectiveness- Micro welding repairs and reinforces damaged molds, extending the life of the molds. The technique offers significant cost savings since it eliminates the cost of creating new molds. The molds are also precise since micro welding targets specific areas and don’t affect other parts of the mold.

Conclusion

Welding is common in most industries and helps repair and rejoin damaged company parts. Laser welding and micro welding are common techniques applicable in most industries, and you need the right service provider for your needs. Working with a professional micro welding company will help restore damaged molds, lengthening their lifespan and saving costs. If you are unsure of the best type of welding application, the team will determine your needs and help you maintain equipment and other devices in excellent condition.