What are the differences between laser welding heads and cutting heads?

What are the differences between laser welding heads and cutting heads?

Laser welding heads and laser cutting heads are two critical components in the field of laser applications. Some may ask, what are the differences between laser welding heads and cutting heads? In fact, their functions are entirely different. The distinctions are as follows: laser welding heads are used for welding metals, while laser cutting heads are employed for cutting crafts.

1.Laser welding heads are mounted on laser welding machines, representing a novel welding method primarily aimed at thin-walled materials and precision components. They enable spot welding, butt welding, overlap welding, seal welding, and more, offering a high depth-to-width ratio, narrow weld seams, a small heat-affected zone, minimal deformation, and fast welding speeds. The welds are smooth and aesthetically pleasing, often requiring no or only simple post-welding treatment. With high-quality, porosity-free welds, precise control, a small focused spot, and high positioning accuracy, they are easily automated. Laser welding machines utilize high-energy laser pulses to locally heat materials in tiny areas. The energy from the laser radiation spreads inward through heat conduction, melting the material to form a specific molten pool.

Image of Coaxial Temperature-Measuring Vision Single-Focus Laser Welding Head

The Songsheng Optoelectronics Coaxial Temperature-Measuring Vision Single-Focus Laser Welding Head employs a built-in coaxial CCD camera and monitoring system to accurately position the workpiece before welding. Upon receiving the positioning confirmation signal, the laser control unit directs the laser to irradiate the designated welding area for a pre-set duration.

This laser welding system uses a laser diode as the heat source to achieve localized non-contact heating, offering advantages such as non-contact operation (eliminating tool wear), no need for soldering tip replacements, and an ultra-fine laser beam for high precision. It is particularly ideal for components incompatible with wave soldering or reflow processes, as it enables localized heating during post-assembly to complete the final product integration.

Features of Coaxial Temperature-Measuring Vision Single-Focus Laser Welding Head:

(1) Ultra-fine spot diameter: The laser can achieve a minimum spot size of 0.1mm, while the solder feeding device can reach 0.2mm, enabling welding of micro-pitch mounted components and chip parts.

(2) Minimal thermal impact: The short-duration localized heating causes little thermal effect on the substrate and surrounding components, ensuring excellent solder joint quality.

(3) No consumable parts: Eliminating the need for soldering tip replacement and heater changes, it delivers high operational efficiency during continuous production.

(4) Superior lead-free soldering performance: Significantly reduces the occurrence of solder joint cracks during lead-free soldering processes.

2.Laser Cutting Heads are installed on laser cutting machines, utilizing high-energy-density laser beams to rapidly heat workpieces. This causes temperatures to rise quickly, reaching the material's boiling point in an extremely short time. Once vaporization begins, the ejected vapor achieves high velocities, simultaneously creating cuts in the material.

With the ongoing development of storage tank manufacturing, laser cutting has gained widespread adoption across industries and enterprises. While this growth has increased market competition, the significant reduction in post-processing costs makes laser cutting equipment highly viable for large-scale production.

Image of QCW1064 High-Speed Rotary Precision Cutting Head

The Songsheng Optoelectronics QCW1064 High-Speed Rotary Precision Cutting Head is a specialized fiber optic (λ=1064nm) cutting head featuring a multi-lens collimation and focusing system. It delivers an ultra-fine focused spot with high precision, enabling micro-hole cutting. With optimized mechanical design, precision adjustment mechanisms, complete sealing, water cooling, and coaxial gas assist, this laser cutting head ensures stable, high-power operation.

Key Features of QCW1064 High-Speed Rotary Precision Cutting Head:

• Adjustable collimation in X/Y directions

• Precision manual focusing mechanism

• Full-body water cooling system

• Fully sealed internal structure

• Drawer-style design for easy replacement

• Includes nozzle components