Hybrid Welding Technology (HWT)

Abstract

For optimisation of industrial production more and more combined technologies are used. As an example the combination of laser beam and conventional welding techniques can result in improvements regarding product design, reliability and production efficiency. Laser beam welding is characterised by concentrated heat input, small interaction zones, reduced thermal load and high speeds. But it needs relative high accuracy and is limited regarding compensation of tolerances. On the other hand conventional techniques can be used advantageously if an enlarged heat input is needed (coding rate) or additional wire has to be fed into the weld zone (tolerances; metallurgical effects). Application oriented an optimum can be reached by a technology combination.