What is fiber laser welding?

Fiber laser welding is transforming the way we join metals. Many manufacturers struggle with traditional welding methods—distortion, slow speeds, and limited precision. Fiber laser welding solves these problems with remarkable speed and accuracy.

Fiber laser welding uses a focused laser beam to precisely melt and fuse metals, creating clean, high-strength welds. It is ideal for industries needing fast, high-quality, and low-distortion welding, such as automotive, aerospace, and electronics.

In this article, I will share my experience with fiber laser welding and how it can improve your production line. We’ll cover how the technology works, what it’s used for, how it compares to MIG welding, and the main types of welding to consider.

How does fiber laser work?

Many clients ask me why fiber laser welding is so precise. Traditional methods often produce heat-affected zones and distortion, especially in thin metals. Fiber lasers offer a more controlled solution.

A fiber laser works by channeling laser light through an optical fiber, generating a highly focused beam that melts the material at the joint. The result is a fast, clean weld with minimal distortion and superior strength.

Understanding the core process

At Kirin Laser, we often explain fiber lasers¹ to new customers in simple terms. Imagine a beam of light that is concentrated into a very small spot. This beam is powerful enough to melt metal, but thanks to its precision, it heats only the target area—avoiding damage to surrounding material.

Advantages of fiber delivery

Fiber delivery offers several key benefits:

Benefit	Description
Flexibility	Laser beam can travel through flexible fibers
Precision	Spot size can be finely controlled
Energy efficiency2	High electrical-to-optical conversion efficiency
Low maintenance	Solid-state design reduces wear and tear

Our handheld fiber laser welding machines³ take full advantage of these properties. Operators can weld thin materials with ease and maintain consistent quality over long shifts.

What is laser welding used for?

Sometimes customers are unsure whether laser welding fits their industry. One of my clients—working with stainless steel enclosures—made the switch and saw an immediate improvement.

Laser welding is used in industries where high precision, clean welds, and speed are essential. Common applications include automotive parts, aerospace components, medical devices, electronics, jewelry, and industrial equipment.

Industry use cases

Let’s look at several key industries and how they use fiber laser welding⁴:

Automotive

Manufacturers use fiber lasers to weld car bodies, battery packs, and exhaust systems. The precision of the process reduces rework and improves product consistency.

Aerospace

Aerospace parts require high strength and minimal weight. Laser welding produces lightweight, durable joints without adding excess material.

Medical devices

Fiber laser welding⁵ ensures sterile, precise joints in surgical instruments and implants. It minimizes contamination and meets strict regulatory standards.

Electronics

Laser welding can join delicate electronic components without damaging sensitive parts. It’s ideal for battery cells and connectors.

Jewelry and consumer goods

Fiber lasers create beautiful, strong welds in gold, silver, and other precious metals—perfect for jewelry and high-end consumer products.

At Kirin Laser, we help clients across all these sectors customize laser welding solutions to their exact needs.

Is laser welding better than MIG welding?

This is a question I get all the time. A client once compared their MIG setup to our handheld laser welder and was blown away by the results.

For many applications, laser welding is better than MIG welding. It produces cleaner welds, causes less heat distortion, and works faster on thin materials. However, MIG welding still has advantages for thicker materials and lower-cost setups.

Comparing the two methods

Here’s a simple side-by-side comparison we often show customers:

Aspect	Fiber Laser Welding6	MIG Welding7
Weld quality	Very clean, minimal spatter	More spatter, may require cleanup
Heat distortion	Very low	Higher, especially on thin parts
Speed	High, especially for thin metals	Moderate
Material range	Best for thin to medium-thickness	Good for thick materials
Setup cost	Higher initial investment	Lower upfront cost
Operator skill	Easy to learn with handheld models	Requires more training

When to choose fiber laser welding

If you need to weld stainless steel, aluminum, or other thin materials at high speed and with great appearance, fiber laser welding is likely your best choice. For heavy steel structures or very thick materials, MIG may still be more economical.

In my experience, once clients try laser welding, they often shift most of their work to this method—especially when quality and throughput matter.

What are the 4 types of welding?

Many first-time buyers ask me what welding options they should consider. The choice depends on your materials, budget, and production needs.

The four main types of welding are MIG (Metal Inert Gas), TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas), Stick welding, and Laser welding. Each has unique strengths suited to different applications.

Overview of welding types

Let’s take a closer look at each:

1. MIG Welding

Also called Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)⁸, MIG is fast and easy to learn. It’s commonly used for automotive and general fabrication but can leave spatter and requires post-cleaning.

2. TIG Welding

TIG (GTAW) offers very high-quality welds and precise control. It’s great for aerospace and artistic applications but is slower and requires a highly skilled operator.

3. Stick Welding

Also known as Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)⁹, Stick welding is versatile and works well outdoors. It’s ideal for construction and repair but less suited for precision work.

4. Laser Welding

Fiber laser welding provides unmatched precision, speed, and aesthetic quality. It excels in thin metals and high-tech industries. The initial cost is higher, but productivity gains are significant.

Choosing the right method

Here’s a simple table to guide your choice:

Welding Type	Best for	Key Advantages
MIG	Automotive, fabrication	Fast, easy to learn, low cost
TIG	Aerospace, art, precision work	Highest quality, fine control
Stick	Construction, outdoor work	Works outdoors, low equipment cost
Laser	High-precision, thin metals	Cleanest welds, high speed, low distortion

At Kirin Laser, we often guide clients through this decision. For many modern manufacturing needs, fiber laser welding¹⁰ delivers the best balance of speed, quality, and cost-efficiency.

Conclusion

Fiber laser welding¹¹ is changing the game for industries that demand clean, precise, and efficient metal joining. I’ve seen it firsthand—our clients consistently report faster production, higher quality, and happier welding teams after making the switch. Whether you’re working in automotive, aerospace, or electronics, fiber laser welding can help you stay competitive and deliver exceptional results.

If you’re ready to explore how fiber laser welding can transform your business, the team at Kirin Laser is here to help.