How to use a high frequency welding machine?

When I first started working with fiber laser welding machines, I realized most of the confusion came from one thing: not understanding what “high frequency” really meant in this context. That confusion wastes time, causes bad welds, and even damages expensive equipment.

You don’t always need high frequency for laser welding—but knowing when and how to use it makes all the difference.

Most people confuse traditional high-frequency welding with fiber laser welding. Let’s break that down and go step-by-step so you can make the right decision for your application—and get clean, consistent welds every time.

How does a high frequency welding machine work?

Many assume all laser welding machines use high frequency, but that’s not the case. Especially with fiber laser machines, the power source and application determine whether high-frequency is needed.

A high frequency welding machine typically uses electromagnetic fields to generate heat and fuse materials. But fiber laser welding works differently—using focused light energy, not RF fields, to do the job.

Comparing HF Welding and Fiber Laser Welding

Let me clarify this with a breakdown:

Feature	High Frequency Welding1	Fiber Laser Welding2
Energy Source	Electromagnetic RF	Focused laser beam (optical)
Common Materials	Plastics, carbon steel tubes	Stainless steel, aluminum, copper
Process Speed	Fast for simple shapes	Fast + precise for complex joints
Heat Distribution	Broader area, less controlled	Highly localized, low distortion
Equipment Complexity	Requires RF generator	Simpler with fiber power source
Application Fit	Large-volume production lines	Precision industries like auto, aerospace

In Kirin Laser, we focus on fiber laser welding. Most of our clients in industries like automotive, aerospace, and electronics don’t actually use traditional high-frequency welding anymore. They want fine control, clean seams, and minimal heat distortion³.

For instance, one of our automotive clients struggled with warping thin aluminum panels. After switching to a handheld fiber laser welder from us, they saw consistent, distortion-free welds and faster production lines. That’s the real difference.

How do you use a welding machine step by step?

If you're new to using a handheld fiber laser welding machine, you might feel overwhelmed. I did too, at first. But it’s easier than you think—especially if you follow the right steps and don’t skip any prep work.

To use a fiber laser welding machine properly, clean the work surface, ensure proper grounding, choose the right laser settings for the material, and always use protective equipment.

Step-by-Step Fiber Laser Welding Guide

Here’s the step-by-step breakdown we give to every new client at Kirin Laser:

1. Surface Preparation⁴

• Remove oil, rust, and oxide layers. Dirty surfaces cause poor absorption and bad welds.
• We recommend using our Kirin Laser cleaning module before welding if needed.

2. Ground the Workpiece

• Always ground the metal securely. This helps reduce electrical interference and improves welding quality.

3. Set the Parameters⁵

• Adjust laser power, pulse frequency, and speed depending on:
  • Material type (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum)
  • Thickness
  • Desired penetration depth
• We offer pre-programmed settings for common materials.

4. Align the Weld Joint

• Use fixtures or clamps to hold materials steady.
• Misalignment is one of the most common causes of poor seams.

5. Weld with Steady Movement

• Move at a consistent speed.
• Hold the welding head perpendicular to the joint when possible.

6. Inspect and Clean the Weld⁶

• Use a wire brush or post-weld cleaning system.
• Check for porosity, cracks, or undercuts.

This isn’t just a procedure—it’s what we teach every technician during onboarding. It works.

What are the disadvantages of high frequency welding?

High frequency welding sounds powerful, but it comes with limitations—especially when compared to modern fiber laser machines.

High-frequency welding has drawbacks like equipment complexity, limited material compatibility, and potential electromagnetic interference with sensitive electronics.

Why We Rarely Recommend HF Welding

Let me walk you through the key issues:

⚠️ Limited Material Use

• HF welding⁷ is great for carbon steel and plastics—but not for aluminum, copper, or stainless steel. These materials are more commonly used in today’s advanced industries.

⚠️ Complex Setup

• RF generators are bulky and sensitive.
• Any fluctuation in frequency causes inconsistencies in weld quality.

⚠️ EMI Interference

• High-frequency radiation can interfere with nearby devices.
• This is a huge problem in factories using IoT or robotics.

⚠️ Heat Affected Zone (HAZ)

• HF welding usually generates broader heat zones.
• That can warp or weaken thinner materials, which fiber lasers avoid with pinpoint accuracy.

When clients switch to fiber laser welding⁸ from traditional HF systems, they often report:

• Better precision
• Lower operating costs
• More material options
• Simpler maintenance

Our welding units at Kirin Laser are designed to avoid all these issues. You get precision without the noise—literally and technically.

Do I need high-frequency to weld aluminum?

Aluminum is one of the most common materials in modern manufacturing. And it’s also one of the most misunderstood when it comes to welding.

No, you do not need high-frequency to weld aluminum. In fact, handheld fiber laser welding machines are one of the best ways to weld aluminum cleanly and without distortion.

Aluminum + Laser = Better Than You Expect

Here’s what most people don’t realize:

✅ Excellent Beam Absorption⁹

• Older wisdom said aluminum reflected too much light for lasers to work well.
• That’s changed. With our modern Kirin fiber lasers, absorption is no longer a barrier.

✅ No Need for Filler Wire¹⁰

• For thin aluminum sheets, autogenous (filler-free) welds work great.
• Less material, fewer variables.

✅ Precision = No Warping¹¹

• Traditional MIG/TIG welding overheats aluminum.
• Lasers, with tighter heat control, prevent that problem.

✅ Consistency Across Batches

• For clients producing parts at scale—especially in automotive or consumer electronics—the repeatability of fiber lasers is a game changer.

Take one of our clients, a U.S. automotive parts maker. They had real trouble welding 1.2mm aluminum panels using TIG. Every third unit had defects. After switching to our fiber laser handheld system, their defect rate dropped below 1%. That’s not just technical improvement—it’s real money saved.

Conclusion

Using a high frequency welding machine sounds advanced, but it’s not always the right tool—especially not in the era of fiber laser technology. Fiber laser welding machines, like those we make at Kirin Laser, offer cleaner, more precise results, especially for metals like aluminum and stainless steel.

Whether you’re managing production for automotive parts, custom fabrication, or high-precision electronics, fiber laser welders¹² give you better control, lower waste, and a smoother experience overall. And with the right setup—clean surfaces, good grounding, and proper parameter tuning—you can start getting professional-grade results from day one.