How can laser welding be done?

Laser welding is precision work that balances power, speed, and focus to fuse metals seamlessly. When done right, it delivers clean, smooth joints that outperform traditional methods.

Laser welding is achieved by focusing a high-energy beam to melt and fuse materials along a joint, offering deep penetration, minimal distortion, and clean finishes ideal for precision manufacturing.

Laser welding isn’t just about joining metals—it’s about mastering energy. At Kirin Laser, we focus on control. From stainless to aluminum, each weld is a fine balance of parameters tuned through trials until it’s flawless. Let’s break down how we make it work.

What is required for laser welding?

Laser welding is both art and science. Without the right equipment and setup, precision is impossible.

To perform laser welding, you need a fiber laser source, a precise focusing head, stable motion control, and proper shielding gas to protect the weld from oxidation.

Dive Deeper: The Essentials of Laser Welding Setup

At Kirin Laser, we see every weld as a controlled experiment. Our fiber laser welding machines¹ rely on a few core elements:

1. Laser Source

A fiber laser generator² produces a concentrated beam with high energy density. The beam’s wavelength (usually around 1070 nm) allows excellent absorption in metals like stainless steel, aluminum, and copper.

2. Optical System

A focusing lens and collimator shape and direct the beam. Spot size determines penetration depth—small for thin sheets, slightly larger for deeper welds.

Component	Function	Importance
Fiber Laser	Provides energy	Determines weld depth and speed
Collimator	Aligns the beam	Controls divergence
Focusing Head	Concentrates energy	Defines spot size and density

3. Motion and Control

Precision motion ensures beam stability. For handheld systems, we use galvanometer heads or wobble heads to manage beam oscillation—critical for gap tolerance.

4. Shielding Gas

Argon or nitrogen shields the molten pool from oxygen. This prevents oxidation and ensures smooth surface finishes.

When I demonstrate our machine to clients, I always show the control interface—where we log “recipes.” Each metal has its own formula: power, speed, focus offset, wobble amplitude, and gas flow. Once dialed in, the results speak for themselves.

Is laser welding TIG or MIG?

This is one of the most common questions we get from customers transitioning from traditional welding.

Laser welding is neither TIG nor MIG; it’s a separate process that uses a concentrated laser beam instead of an electrode to create fusion between metals.

Dive Deeper: Understanding the Difference

When people first see a fiber laser welding machine³, they often try to relate it to TIG or MIG. Here’s the reality:

TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) Welding

TIG uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode. It offers fine control and high-quality welds but is slow, requires skill, and adds filler wire manually.

MIG (Metal Inert Gas) Welding

MIG uses a consumable wire electrode and is faster, more automated, but often leads to spatter and distortion on thin materials.

Laser Welding

Laser welding replaces the arc with a light beam⁴. There’s no contact, minimal heat-affected zone, and nearly no deformation.

Process	Heat Source	Filler Use	Speed	Quality	Typical Application
TIG	Electric arc	Optional	Slow	Very high	Thin metals
MIG	Electric arc	Required	Medium	Medium	General fabrication
Laser	Laser beam	Optional	Very fast	Excellent	Precision manufacturing

When I switched a client from TIG to laser, the first reaction was disbelief—the joint was narrow, glossy, and strong. He didn’t even need post-polishing. As he said, “It feels like welding with light.”

Is laser welding faster than MIG welding?

Speed is often the deciding factor for industrial clients comparing technologies.

Yes, laser welding is significantly faster than MIG welding because it concentrates energy into a small spot, achieving full penetration at higher travel speeds with less heat distortion.

Dive Deeper: Why Laser Welding Wins in Speed

Let’s put it in numbers. On average, MIG welding travels at 30–50 cm/min, while fiber laser welding⁵ can exceed 200 cm/min—depending on material and power.

1. Energy Efficiency

Laser beams deliver heat exactly where needed. There’s minimal thermal loss, which means faster melting and solidification.

2. Automation Potential

Laser systems integrate easily with CNC platforms⁶ or robot arms, reducing operator fatigue and enabling 24/7 production.

3. Reduced Post-Processing

Because there’s little spatter and no slag, you skip grinding or polishing steps—saving even more time.

Factor	MIG Welding	Laser Welding
Travel Speed	30–50 cm/min	200–300 cm/min
Heat Input	High	Low
Distortion	Moderate	Minimal
Setup Time	Longer	Shorter
Post-Work	Grinding required	None or minimal

When I optimized our fiber laser for a sheet metal manufacturer, the welding time dropped by 70%, and product yield went up. That’s when they understood speed is more than movement—it’s precision efficiency.

%[High-speed fiber laser welding](https://kirinlaser.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/laser-welding-machine-can-use-automatic-welding-head.png"Laser Welding Speed Demo")

What is the maximum gap for laser welding?

Gap tolerance often defines whether laser welding is practical for a given job.

The maximum gap for laser welding is typically between 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm, but with wobble welding heads or filler wire, it can reach up to 0.5 mm.

Dive Deeper: Managing Gaps with Wobble Control

In traditional welding, a bit of a gap isn’t a big deal. But for fiber laser welding⁷, alignment matters because the beam is small and precise.

1. Wobble Function

Kirin Laser’s fiber systems include wobble heads⁸, which oscillate the beam rapidly in circular or figure-eight paths. This spreads energy, bridges gaps, and improves fusion uniformity.

2. Filler Wire Integration

When joining materials with small inconsistencies, a filler wire system can be attached. It’s common for aluminum and thicker plates.

3. Parameter Adjustment

We fine-tune:

• Laser power
• Travel speed
• Focus position
• Oscillation amplitude

Each variable affects how much “bridge” the weld can form across the gap.

Gap Size	Recommended Solution	Notes
≤ 0.1 mm	Direct laser welding	Best for clean, tight joints
0.2–0.3 mm	Wobble welding head	Improves fusion tolerance
0.4–0.5 mm	Wobble + filler wire	Common for aluminum
>0.5 mm	Not recommended	Precision fit required

One of our aluminum enclosure clients used to reject 20% of parts due to gaps. With our wobble system and refined settings, they reached 99.2% pass rate. The improvement was instant and measurable.

Conclusion

Laser welding⁹ is not just another joining process—it’s precision energy control. At Kirin Laser, we focus on repeatability, accuracy, and customization. From stainless seams to aluminum casings, we fine-tune each weld through parameter trials and logged data. That’s how we help manufacturers replace old systems, reduce waste, and discover what it feels like to truly weld with light.