hand held laser welding

[billfunk29]

I finally got to do a demo the IPG Lightweld. Fabtech show, Chicago. I am impressed. I used the machine with the cleaning feature. $27k. Ouch. The pictures are my first time using this machine. It is pretty automatic. I had help with the setup. But once it is dialed in the welds are perfect. Much less skill needed. Note the uniform oxide on the back side. And I did it without my cheaters. The lap joint allowed the guides on the gun to follow the joint. Not so with a butt joint. The cleaning feature is super handy with aluminum.

weld2.jpg

weld1.jpg


I also did a demo on the Virtual welding trainer at the Lincoln booth. This may get more young folks welding. Just like a video game.

[John Buchtenkirch]

Every time I see it demonstrated it’s inside corners or straight lines with a guide plate. The welds look impressive but I just don’t know how useful it would be for welding 2 parts of a curved fender together. I already have trouble following panel seams with slower tig, with that rocket speed welder I’d be in trouble . At 75 years old I also can’t see myself paying it off . Having said all of that, it would be fun to demo one. ~ John Buchtenkirch

[billfunk29]

I did a butt weld also. Not as nice, so I left it there. It works pretty much the same. You just have to follow the joint. I did not have my cheaters, so that was not pretty. The wire feeder still controls the speed. There was a coach builder there that uses one. He liked it for fluxless aluminum welds.