What is the welding machine settings?

Welding problems usually don’t start with the machine—they start with the wrong machine settings.

The settings on a welding machine determine how effective, clean, and strong your weld will be. Fiber laser welding machines need specific settings to perform at their best.

Before we dive into each setting, let me share this: I once helped a Michigan-based client switch from TIG welding to a fiber laser setup. Once we fine-tuned the laser power and welding speed, he saw a 70% drop in rejected parts. Cleaner seams. No grinding. Faster output. That’s the power of getting your settings right.

What are the settings on a welder?

When your welds don’t look right, feel right, or last long enough—it’s often because your settings aren’t optimized.

On a fiber laser welding machine, the key settings include laser power, welding speed, spot size (or focal diameter), and pulse characteristics. Each plays a specific role in defining weld quality.

Let’s break it down

1. Laser Power

Material	Thickness (mm)	Recommended Power (W)
Stainless Steel	1.0	800–1000
Mild Steel	2.0	1000–1200
Aluminum	1.5	1200–1500

Laser power¹ determines the amount of energy delivered to the material. More power doesn’t always mean better. Too much can overburn. Too little can create weak joints. When we onboard a new customer at Kirin Laser, our first step is matching power to material.

2. Welding Speed

Speed is how fast the laser head moves along the seam. If it’s too fast, the weld may be incomplete or weak. If too slow, it may cause burn-through or deformation. Speed must match power. For example, a 1500W laser on 1mm stainless steel might run at 20–30 mm/s for an optimal weld.

3. Focal Spot Size

The smaller the focal point, the more concentrated the energy. This gives deeper penetration and narrower welds. But a too-small focus can cause instability. The sweet spot depends on your joint geometry. We help customers fine-tune this using beam alignment tools and trial welds.

4. Pulse Mode vs Continuous Wave

For fine, cosmetic welds or thin metals, pulse mode gives better control. Continuous wave is faster and better for deep welds. The setting matters. One customer switched from pulse to CW for their carbon steel tubes and reduced their cycle time by 35%.

How should you adjust the welding machine settings?

It’s not guesswork. Every adjustment you make should have a purpose.

Adjusting your fiber laser welding machine means balancing power, speed, and focus to match your material and joint design. You don’t want to over-melt or under-penetrate.

Here's how I approach it

1. Material First

Every setting depends on the material. Stainless steel behaves differently than aluminum. Aluminum reflects more laser energy, so we usually need more power and precise pre-cleaning.

2. Trial Welds Are Key

Before going into production, we do at least 3–5 test welds with small variations. We document the seam quality, penetration, and spatter level. Then we choose the best setting. It’s not about “feel”—it’s about data².

3. Watch the Seam

If your seam is too wide, reduce power or increase speed. If it's narrow but cracked, you may be moving too fast. If you see undercut, check your focus position. I always recommend a real-time camera setup³ to monitor the weld zone—especially for automation.

4. Use Your Machine’s Presets (but tweak them)

At Kirin Laser, we provide material-specific presets⁴ with every machine. But each workshop is different—airflow, temperature, fixture design all affect results. Think of presets as the starting point, not the final answer.

What is the current setting in welding?

Many people ask me—what's the “current” in fiber laser welding? Isn’t it like arc welding?

In fiber laser welding, we don’t use electric current like in arc or TIG welding. Instead, we use optical power, measured in watts (W), as our energy source.

Important distinctions of fiber laser welding

1. No Amps, Just Watts

Arc welding uses current (amperes) to generate heat. Fiber lasers use a high-powered beam of light. That beam is measured in watts, not amps. So when someone says “what’s your current setting?”, they probably mean laser power⁵.

2. Pulse Frequency = Control

Though there’s no current, we do have a frequency setting—measured in Hz. This controls how often pulses fire in pulsed mode. A lower Hz means fewer, stronger pulses. A higher Hz smooths out the weld. On 0.8mm stainless, I often start at 100Hz and tweak from there.

3. Duty Cycle = Energy per Pulse

The duty cycle (%) tells us how long the laser stays on per pulse cycle. A 50% duty cycle at 100Hz gives half-on, half-off pulses. It’s another lever to manage heat input without overmelting.

Term	What It Controls	Measured In
Power	Heat Input	Watts
Frequency	Pulse Rate	Hz
Duty Cycle6	Pulse Length	%

What is the work setting of a welder?

Settings are only part of the story—the work environment and operator setup matter just as much.

The “work setting” of a welder includes the positioning of the parts, the operator’s motion, the gas shielding, and the clamping system. For laser welding, especially, consistency and cleanliness are vital.

Field lessons from factory floors

1. Consistent Fixturing

Laser welding requires the seam to be at a fixed focal height. Any wobble causes inconsistent penetration. That’s why we always recommend adjustable, precision-built jigs⁷. A customer in Ohio reduced seam variation by 60% after switching to a Kirin-supplied fixture.

2. Shielding Gas Flow

In fiber laser welding, argon or nitrogen gas shields the weld from oxidation. Poor gas flow = discoloration, porosity, and weak welds. We suggest a laminar flow nozzle⁸ with flow rates between 15–25 L/min for stainless steel.

3. Safety & Ergonomics

Laser systems are precise—but also powerful. Operators need goggles rated for 1064nm, and the room must meet Class IV laser safety standards. We also recommend remote foot pedals or scan heads for automation.

4. Clean Surfaces = Strong Welds

Even the best settings won’t save a dirty part. Oil, rust, or oxide layers can deflect or absorb the beam unpredictably. That’s why many customers pair their fiber laser welders with our laser cleaning machines⁹ for pre-treatment.

Factor	Impact	Notes
Fixture stability	Seam consistency	Use precision jigs
Shielding gas	Weld purity	15–25 L/min argon
Surface prep	Penetration quality	Use laser cleaning
Safety measures	Operator health	Always wear proper goggles

Conclusion

Welding machine settings are the heart of any fiber laser welding¹⁰ operation. Whether it’s laser power, pulse frequency, speed, or work holding—each choice has a direct impact on weld quality. At Kirin Laser, we help clients dial in the perfect combination for their application. Because in this business, it’s not just about melting metal—it’s about making it count.