Influence of the process parameters on the welding results of laser-GMA welding

Combined Laser-gas metal are welding offers a high application potential in the field of welding of light structural components due to the addition of the advantages of the laser and the GMA welding process. The speed of the laser welding process can be maintained and - at the same time - gaps can be bridged, the top weld bead can be formed specifically and the weld microstructure can be adapted. This, however, requires the control of the complexly related process parameters. Among these are the focus position, the orientation of the GMA torch to the laser as well as the tuning of the laser and GMA settings (power, welding speed, stickout length etc.).Additional possibilities are resulting from the use of double focus optics in combination with the Laser-GMA process.The lecture presents relevant results achieved in the field of welding of AI alloys using the latest Laser-GMA welding heads. Examples of butt-joint welding and overlap-joint welding will be discussed. Here, special attention will be attached to penetration depth, process stability and gas shielding.