QUALITY ASSURANCE IN LASER-BEAM WELDING OF HEAVY SECTION STEEL SHEET

In manufacturing of welded parts which require a proof on acceptance close observation of the process is mandatory. The manufacturer is obliged to document the welding process. An approach for monitoring and recording the process of laser beam welding combining theoretical knowledge, process monitoring and welding experience will be presented. The range of application of a device for co-axial process monitoring was extended up to 20 mm sheet thickness welded in one pass at beam powers of up to 20 kW. Crucial features of the process which refer to the formation of failures were observed. The results presented give rise to the general applicability of the approach for process monitoring and recording as well as failure management.