Study on high quality welding of thick plates with a 50kW CO2 laser processing system

Abstract

AMPI introduced a CO2 laser processing system of 50kW that was the greatest output in the world. And, fundamental studies for welding of thick plates have been carried out. In this paper, the observation of plasma behavior with high-speed camera and the relationship between penetration depth and plasma configuration are studied. Then through the investigations, the welding characteristics with great output power CO2 laser by using the selected suitable supply condition of assist gas was investigated. And, to confirm limits of full penetration thickness, appearance of weld beads that tested full penetration welding were evaluated, and then proper welding conditions were examined.