Laser welding

It depends on the application. Laser welding wins on thin material, when speed, weld appearance (less grinding) and low distortion matter. MIG/MAG is usually better on thicker sheet, for field welding and where a lower entry cost matters.

Process 521 is the designation for manual laser beam welding (LBW) under PN-EN ISO 4063. This number is used to describe the process in welding documentation and on courses that end with a certificate, among other places.

Laser welders work best on thin and medium sheet. On thicker parts the advantage of MIG/MAG grows. We confirm the maximum range for a specific part after assessment - it depends on the material, source power and weld type.

Higher power allows thicker material to be welded and faster work, but it is not the only factor. The choice of power depends on the material, thickness, weld type and way of working. We help select the device based on a description of the part.

Lasers weld mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium, copper, titanium and nickel alloys, among others, most often in thin and medium thicknesses. The laser handles heat-sensitive materials well. We confirm the range for a part after assessment.

On thin sheet, laser welding is usually faster than MIG/MAG. The advantage shrinks as thickness grows, and on thick parts MIG/MAG can be more efficient. Specific values depend on the material, thickness, weld type and device configuration.

The main limitations are a higher entry cost, the need for clean, well-fitted edges (low gap tolerance), a smaller advantage on thick material and strict health and safety rules (laser Class 4). On repeatable, thin parts these limitations usually do not matter.

Laser welders are Class 4 devices. Safe work requires eye protection, a separated and marked zone, fume extraction and a trained operator. When procedures are followed, it is a safe production technology.

The HAZ (Heat Affected Zone) is the zone around the weld affected by heat. Laser welding produces a clearly smaller HAZ than MIG/MAG, which limits distortion and helps maintain dimensional tolerances. The size of the difference depends on the material and parameters.

The price depends on the power of the device, the equipment, the level of automation and the scope of deployment. Handheld laser welders cost less than a robotic cell with a cobot. We prepare a quotation once the specification is agreed and tell you about the possible robotisation tax relief.

Yes - laser welding requires qualifications to EN ISO 14732. WELDERSTAL runs laser welder training (process 521) that ends with a certificate.

Laser welders and cobots with a laser head may qualify for the robotisation tax relief (a Polish tax incentive). The scope of eligible costs and whether the rules are still current are best confirmed with a tax adviser - we help gather the information you need.