Why should I choose a laser welding machine?

If you’re tired of post-weld cleanup, high rejection rates, or slow production cycles, it might be time to rethink how you weld.

Laser welding machines offer precise, fast, and low-distortion welding that consistently outperforms TIG and MIG—especially for high-spec or high-volume applications.

Welding is evolving. I’ve worked with manufacturers across industries—from aerospace to kitchenware—and I’ve seen the shift firsthand. The companies winning today aren’t stuck in the past. They’ve moved on from traditional arc welding to fiber laser welding because it’s faster, cleaner, and simply more effective. So why haven’t you?

Is laser welding good for beginners?

When I first introduced fiber laser welding systems to small shops, the biggest concern was always the same: “Can my operators handle this?” The answer is yes—and here’s why.

Laser welding is beginner-friendly due to its ease of control, minimal heat input, and simple training curve. Even novice operators can produce clean, deep welds with less effort and fewer errors.

Why it's easier than it looks

I’ve trained technicians with no prior laser experience. What used to take weeks of TIG finesse now takes hours. Here's how fiber laser welding¹ smooths the learning curve:

🔹 Real-Time Guidance

Many of Kirin Laser's welding systems come with auto-focus heads, onboard monitoring, and user-friendly touch interfaces. Operators can see what’s happening and make real-time adjustments²—something nearly impossible with arc welding.

🔹 Less Room for Error

Traditional methods like TIG and MIG rely on perfect torch angle, arc length, and hand coordination. Fiber laser welding is more forgiving. The narrow beam and high energy density do most of the precision work, minimizing human error.

🔹 Lower Thermal Input

Less heat means less warping and fewer post-process headaches. That’s one less thing a beginner has to worry about.

Feature	TIG Welding	MIG Welding	Fiber Laser Welding
Skill Level Required	High	Moderate	Low to Moderate
Setup Time	Long	Medium	Short
Training Time	Weeks	Days	Hours
Weld Quality (Newbie)	Inconsistent	Acceptable	Clean and Uniform

It’s not just user-friendly. It’s user-empowering. I’ve watched junior welders beat veterans—just because they had better tools.

Is laser welding better than arc welding?

I’ve worked with both. But when I saw a client in automotive cut their rework by 60% after switching to our fiber laser system, I stopped calling it a debate.

Yes, laser welding is superior to arc welding in speed, precision, automation potential, and thermal control. It minimizes distortion and delivers cleaner results with less labor.

The comparison that matters

Let’s break it down in terms of what actually affects your bottom line:

🔹 Throughput

Fiber lasers can weld up to 4X faster than TIG or MIG³. That means more units per shift—and less overtime.

🔹 Weld Quality

Lasers deliver deep penetration with minimal spatter. No more grinding, no need for cleanup. TIG might get close in the hands of a master, but why depend on that?

🔹 Repeatability

In mass production, repeatability is everything. Laser parameters are digitally controlled. That means every weld looks just like the last one. Perfect for industries like medical, aerospace, and electronics.

Performance Factor	Arc Welding (TIG/MIG)	Laser Welding
Speed	Slow to Moderate	Fast (2x–4x faster)
Precision	Operator-dependent	High, digitally controlled
Post-weld Cleanup	Often required	Minimal
Heat Affected Zone	Large	Very Small
Automation Ready	Limited	Fully Compatible

I’ve seen production lines transform after switching to fiber laser welding⁴. It's not just better—it redefines what “better” means.

Which type of welding machine is the best?

Every welding method has its place. But if I had to choose one machine to build a future-proof shop, I’d go fiber laser every time.

Fiber laser welding machines stand out for their precision, speed, and versatility—making them the best overall choice for both industrial applications and high-precision manufacturing.

Why fiber laser beats the rest

Let’s take a hard look at your options.

🔹 Stick Welding (SMAW)

Cheap, but messy. Good for field repairs but terrible for production work.

🔹 MIG Welding (GMAW)

Faster than TIG, but needs a clean environment and still causes lots of spatter. Not ideal for precision work.

🔹 TIG Welding (GTAW)

Great for clean, strong welds on thin metals—but slow and skill-intensive.

🔹 Fiber Laser Welding

Clean, fast, and precise. Works on stainless, aluminum, copper, and even reflective materials. Easily automated. Ideal for modern industrial workflows.

Welding Type	Speed	Precision	Maintenance	Automation	Ideal Use Case
Stick (SMAW)	Low	Low	Low	No	Field repairs
MIG (GMAW)	Medium	Medium	Medium	Limited	Automotive, Construction
TIG (GTAW)	Low	High	High	Difficult	Aerospace, Food Equipment
Fiber Laser Welding5	High	Very High	Low	Easy	Precision manufacturing

The best part? Kirin Laser systems⁶ are modular. You can start small and scale up. From manual hand-held welders to fully automated robotic cells, we offer options to grow with you.

Can laser welders weld thick metal?

This question comes up a lot. And it's valid. People assume lasers are only for fine work. That’s outdated thinking.

Yes, fiber laser welders can weld thick metal—up to 6mm with a single pass, and much thicker with proper joint prep or multiple passes. It depends on laser power and beam delivery.

Not just for thin sheets

One of our clients in structural steel came to us skeptical. They were used to MIG. But they needed cleaner seams and faster joints on 5mm stainless.

We paired them with a 3kW Kirin Laser system using high-speed wobble welding⁷. Results? Seam strength exceeded MIG, and finish quality needed zero post-process.

🔹 Power Matters

Higher wattage (2kW–6kW) enables deep penetration. With pulse or wobble modes, you control the heat input precisely—preventing burn-through or lack of fusion.

🔹 Joint Design

For thicker materials, V-grooves or bevel joints help with weld depth. Laser welding can be programmed to fill gaps, as long as they’re within tolerance.

🔹 Preheat and Multi-pass

With proper edge prep and preheat (in certain alloys), we’ve achieved successful welds on 10mm+ steel, especially in robotics or automation setups.

Thickness (mm)	Laser Power Needed	Joint Type	Notes
1–3 mm	1000–1500W	Butt or lap	Single pass, no prep needed
3–6 mm	2000–3000W	Bevel or fillet	Wobble recommended
6–10 mm	3000W+	Bevel, multi-pass	Preheat and fill techniques

Don’t assume lasers are just for electronics. Today’s fiber laser tech⁸ is powerful enough for serious metalwork—and flexible enough for small or large shops.

Conclusion

Laser welding⁹ isn’t just an upgrade—it’s a transformation. Whether you’re dealing with tight tolerances, volume production, or tough materials, fiber laser welding delivers results that traditional methods can’t match. It’s beginner-friendly, scalable, and powerful enough for thick metal. At Kirin Laser, we build machines that make it easy to switch—and impossible to go back.