• Journal of Welding and Joining
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.71-76
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• 1999

The real-time holographic interferometer with digital high-speed camera is applied to the experimental study of laser induced plasma/plume in pulsed Nd:YAG laser welding. A pulsed Nd:YAG laser with 1.2 kW average power is applied to generate laser induced plume. The recording speed of the high-speed camera is 3,000 f/s. The high speed photographs of weld plume without another visualization method, are compared with the visualization photographs with holographic interferometer. The radiation intensity from the laser induced plume is recorded by the high speed photographs, which fluctuated during laser radiation and disappeared after laser end. The density distribution of the plume is recorded by the holographic visualization method. The experimental results show the process of generation of the laser induced plasma/plume, and give the feasibility of quantitative measurement of laser induced plume in laser welding.

• Laser Solutions
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.30-38
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• 1998

This study includes the efface of shielding gas types on $CO_2$ laser weldability of low carbon automotive galvanized steel. The types of shielding gas evaluated are He, $CO_2$, Ar, $N_2$, 50%Ar＋50%$N_2$. The weld penetration, strength, formability(Erichsen test) of Laser weld are found to be strongly dependent upon the types of shielding gas used. Further, the maximum travel speed and flow rate to form a keyhole weld is also dependent upon types of shielding gas. The ability of shielding gas in removing plasma plume and thus increasing weld penetration is believed to be closely related with ionization/dissociation potential, which determine the period of plasma formation and disappearance. Further, thermal conductivity and reactivity of gas with molten pool also give strong effect on penetration and porosity formation which in turn affect on the formability and strength.

• Laser Solutions
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.11-18
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• 1999

This paper describes the weldability of carbon steel and stainless steel using 5㎾ $CO_2$ laser system with nearly multi-mode beam and a parabolic focusing mirror. In the laser welding of steels, major welding parameters are focal point, travel speed, beam power, shield gas and gap tolerance, etc.. Two kinds of gases(Ar, He) were used as a assist gas and supplied through the external nozzle. It is very important for optimum condition to remove plasma plume which absorbs laser beam and to obtain deep penetration and sound weld bead. Bead-on-plate welding tests were carried out for the experiments. Penetration data were obtained with various welding parameters and the effects of welding parameters were discussed. Butt welding tests were performed with various conditions. Only the optimum laser parameters assured good weld quality As a result of this study, We achieve the fundamental weldabilities using a high power $CO_2$ laser for carbon steel and stainless steel.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.636-644
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• 2006

Recently, there were some successful examples that the laser welding was introduced into production line. However, the spread of laser welding is not sufficient in many industries. There are several reasons why it is difficult to penetrate the laser welding into production lines. Because it is different from reflection, absorption and permeation of laser beam according to material and surface condition. Moreover, there are significant problems in processing such as absorption and scattering of beam by the induced plasma or plume. Therefore, understanding of mechanism on formation of weld defect in laser welding of the laminated core for motor is very important. In this paper, it was analyzed in terms of materials which was source of defect in laser welding and conventional arc welding. As a results of analysis, insulation coating film of the laminated core was judged to main factor of weld defect. it could be well aware as tracing carbon volume, and it was deduced that weld defect by insulation coating film was caused by difference of mechanism between the two heat sources.

• Journal of the Optical Society of Korea
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.193-196
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• 2003

We have developed a laser welding monitoring system to monitor laser welding process conditions such as sample feed rate, laser focal position, and laser power. A 2 ㎾ Nd:YAG CW laser beam has been applied to the welding of a stainless steel plate (SUS306) to investigate the welding monitoring. Theradiation signal from the weld pool was guided back through the focusing optics and the laser delivery fiber, and measured by a photo detector. By changing the focus of the laser beam along the z-direction, the penetration depth of the welding material has been measured. That shows the penetration depth depends on the frequency fluctuations of the plume signals which can be used in welding quality control.