Laser Welding Services
We are proud to offer Laser Welding Services using the Sweet
Spot Resonator (SSR) from Rofin-Baasel, Inc. This style of
laser is only approximately 10 years old. The technology is
still revolutionizing the jewelry industry after 10 years,
but is also opening up markets of opportunities in other
industries. A unique advantage that jewelers have with this
machine is that the geometry of laser welding jewelry items
is often more complex than items in the majority of other
industries. Jewelers are welding many metals and alloy
combinations that have different welding requirements, they
weld different thickness', and design features with various
angles. All of these equate to a jeweler using this
technology at a greater range of it's capabilities than what
this technology is generally used for in other industries.
Therefore, when a jeweler has become proficient on his of
her own application they are usually well suited to
accomplish welding for other industries, such as: Dental,
Tool and Mold, Medical Device Manufacturing, Electronics,
Scientific Research and Development, etc. etc. This
technology is revolutionizing a lot more than just jewelry
and we are ready to diversify into other applications rather
than concentrating solely on jewelry.
New techniques and products are making previously difficult
frames more
suitable for laser welding, such as: Titanium alloyed flex
frames.
Pictured here are Brass Alloy Frames.
The SSR
Results in Higher Quality Welding
One very important feature of producing a quality weld is
the ability to accomplish adequate penetration and fusion at
the lowest possible energy. This is especially evident when
welding alloys that contain metals of various different
melting temperatures, as well as other differing properties
such as, resistance to oxidation while molten, heat
conductivity, density, and reflective nature to light.
Nickel Alloy: Nickel alloy presents some challenges
because Nickel oxidizes easily while heating in an oxygen
environment. One would weld Nickel Alloys using an inert
shield gas such as Argon. Using shield gas in combination
with the lower total energy requirements offered by the SSR
Welding results in less overall heating of the Nickel Alloy.
Solders, Zinc, Lead, Base Metals & Low-Melting Temperature
Alloys: All of these metals and alloys easily burn and
vaporize with too much energy; resulting in micro-porosity
and brittleness in the weld seam. Achieving adequate
penetration and fusing, into these metals and alloys, with
lower total energy offered by the SSR risks less
vaporization and burning of the metal, and gives more
options and overall ability to successfully join these
metals and alloys containing these metals.
Silver, Copper, Heat Conductive, and Reflective Metals:
Silver and Copper are extremely heat conductive, as well as
very reflective, (mirror like when polished), metals. Keep
in mind that the laser is a beam of light that will have a
tendency to reflect off of mirror like surfaces. Heat
conductive metals tends to draw the energy of the laser into
and throughout the piece rather than allowing the energy to
stay localized at the seam to perform its welding function.
Reflective and heat conductive metals require higher energy
for welding to overcome these properties. Because of the SSR
finer focusing, and more consistent distribution of energy,
the heat conductive and reflective properties can be
overcome at a lower total energy.
Platinum: Platinum has a high density requiring physical
force that equates to relatively higher energy requirements.
Again, because of the SSR finer focus and consistent
distribution of energy, platinum can be welded with lower
energy.
Heat Sensitive Items, Items with spring temper
characteristics, or very small and thin items: All of
these are at less risk of damage, change in spring temper,
and easier to weld with finer focusing ability and lower
energy characteristics of the SSR.
Rofin-Baasel is the Industry leader that is setting a
standard for all industries that are using industrial
lasers. Rofin-Baasel designs and manufactures micro and
macro industrial lasers for many applications, as well as
for many industries. Applications include but are not
limited to: Laser Marking, Cutting, Engraving, and Welding;
all of these in multiple types of materials. Some Industries
the Rofin-Baasel serves are, but are not limited to:
Complicated fabrications are possible because of the very
concentrated energy,
small heat effected area, and ease in controlling the
energy of the laser.
A laser weld means no setting tool marks to clean and
polish,
and laser welding reduces time fixturing before soldering.
4010 S. Main St.▲
Metamora▲MI▲48455▲Phone
810-678-3537
877-311-3537▲Fax 810-678-8023 |
