Laser hybrid welding is a process that uses the combination of a laser and wire arc welding systems. Combined, these processes build on each’s strengths while reducing their weaknesses. More specifically, the system uses a laser to produce the weld keyhole while using a heated welding wire to fill the weld, much like wire arc welding. The process is ideal for heavy duty welding applications found in ship building, pressure vessels, armor plating and other areas where thick metal plate is used.

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The benefits of the system are recognized in the laser’s ability to produce a much deeper weld than with wire welding alone. This allows for effective single pass welding in materials that would usually take several passes with conventional wire arc welding alone. With laser hybrid welding, keyhole depths of 25mm in a single pass can be produced. Adding the ability to weld on both sides effectively doubles that depth for even thicker applications.

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Hybrid laser welding’s high concentration of power has the added benefit of minimizing the heat absorption in the materials being welded as the system’s primary laser heat source that results in a highly localized heat area. The much smaller heat affected zone from the laser reduces material deformation away from the weld area. This reduces the need for post weld heat treating to correct bending or warping that develops using wire arc welding or other processes.