Laser hybrid welding process includes inductive preheating

Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V. and the Leibniz Universität Hannover have developed a hybrid welding system with inductive preheating. This process can be used for single-layer welding of high-strength, fine-grain structural steels up to a thickness of 0.79 in.

Before the welding process takes place, an induction coil brings energy into a targeted area of the welding seam. The steel is preheated to the desired temperature, without direct contact. This makes weld seams less brittle, improves fracture strain values, and prevents hot cracks, the company reports.

With this process, depending on the sheet thickness, feed rates of 2.46 to 8.20 FPM can be reached.