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Welding and soldering metals |
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The laser beam provides a variety of ways to join metals: it can join workpieces at the surface or produce deep welds. It can be combined with conventional welding methods and, additionally, be used for soldering.
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|  | Materials with a high melting point as well as high heat conductivity can be welded using a laser. Due to the small molten material and the short, controllable melting period, some materials can be combined, which otherwise could not be welded. Filler materials can be used, if needed. Even when seam welding with continuous laser beams, the heat-affected zones and the complete heating of the component are still considerably less than with arc or plasma welding. The supply of energy can be well monitored, regulated and maintained or precisely controlled.
In soldering, the mating parts are joined by a filler material, or solder. The surface of the solder seam is smooth and clean, forming a nicely curved transition to the workpiece. Since solder seams do not require finishing, they are often used in the automotive industry for making body parts such as trunk lids or car roofs.
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