Joining Process Lasers: Welding, Cladding & More

What are Joining Process Lasers?

Joining Process Lasers are typically CW laser diodes used for various joining applications such as welding, cladding, brazing, and soldering. These lasers utilize high-intensity light beams to create localized heat, enabling the precise fusion or bonding of different materials. Their non-contact nature, coupled with their high energy density, makes them ideal for joining applications in industries such as automotive, aerospace, electronics, and medical devices. Manufacturers can achieve superior joinery with increased efficiency, reduced heat-affected zones, and enhanced product quality.

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Joining Process Laser Applications

Cladding/Deposition Lasers: Laser cladding (typically 808, 9XX, or 1064nm, multimode, high-power diode bar or stack) is a material processing technique in which a small amount of material is added to the surface of another material in a controlled manner. Typically, this is done in one of two ways either by blowing a focused jet of powdered material in a buffer gas coincident with the cladding laser spot or by depositing the material on the surface first and then scanning over it with the cladding laser.

Welding Lasers: In laser welding, the goal is to use the high-power long pulse lasers with a flat top beam profile to melt the material and fuse together each piece. The laser beam is typically focused onto the joint between the two parts along with an unfocused cover gas, whose primary objective is to prevent oxidation. Unlike cutting lasers, welding lasers (typically high-power diode bars or stacks) do not to remove material through ablation, utilizing lower powers and larger spot sizes.

Brazing Lasers: Brazing involves joining two or more materials by melting a filler material that has a lower melting point than the base materials. These lasers provide precise control over the heat input, allowing for localized melting of the filler material without excessively heating the base materials. This results in strong joints with minimal distortion and excellent aesthetics.

Soldering Lasers: Soldering is a process where a filler material, known as solder, is melted to join two or more components together. These lasers offer advantages in soldering applications by providing rapid, controlled heating of the solder and the workpieces. This leads to reliable and high-quality solder joints, particularly in applications requiring fine-scale connections or in areas with restricted accessibility.

Recommended Laser Series

We recommend the following laser series options for Joining Process Laser applications. There can often be a ton of options and many variables. Contact us today for help finding the perfect laser for your specific application!

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JDL Series

The JDL series offers industry-leading custom high-power unmounted laser diode bars in the 760-1070 nm spectral region. Our unmounted laser diode bars are available in a wide range of emitter configurations, cavity lengths, and CW or QCW operational modes. We offer low fill factor bars suitable for fiber coupling, high-power bars up to 300W for CW or hard-pulse industrial DDL applications, and QCW bars up to 500W for QCW or long-pulse optical pumping and medical applications. With full customization options including custom designed epitaxial wafer structures, you’re sure to get the perfect solution for your needs.

JOLD-FC Series

The JOLD-FC series of high-power fiber-coupled laser diode arrays (bars) provide a cost-effective and robust solution for OEM applications. With superior reliability and efficiency, our lasers offer industry-leading performance. We offer standard wavelengths of 760-1070 and 1470 nm, with 200, 400, or 600 µm fiber core diameters. Other optional components include pilot lasers, monitor diodes, and integrated Peltier elements, available in the JOLD-FC series, ensuring you get exactly what you need.

JOLD-Open Heatsinks Series

The JOLD-Open Heatsinks Series offers industry-leading, reliable, and cost-effective high-power free-space single-laser-bar packages based on passively or actively cooled heat sinks in the 760-1070 nm range. Our proprietary heat sink and assembly technology, paired with our focus on advanced optical pumping and direct-diode-laser technology, results in diode lasers with unmatched performance including optical output power, electro-optical (EO) efficiency, and lifetime. This series offers options from 792 nm up to 1035 nm, and average output powers up to 300 W CW with passive cooling.

JOLD-Stacks Series

The JOLD–Stacks Series offers a highly modular approach for power scaling well into the kW range. The series features compact, lightweight, and robust multimode, free-space laser diode stacks with options for 760-1070 nm, CW & QCW operation, output power up to 2400 W (QCW), no lensing or FAC or FAC/SAC collimation, active or passive cooling, and are completely customizable. JOLD-Stacks achieve optimal beam quality by reducing the stack pitch without compromising cooling capacity, and our proven hard-solder technology and strictly monitored production processes ensure tried & tested reliability in the harshest environments.

LDX Series

The LDX Series of made-in-the-US, high-power, multimode laser diodes provide wavelengths from 400nm – 1900nm, a wide range of output powers and package types, as well as completely customized solutions. We have been offering these high-quality laser diodes for over 25 years. The performance, reliability, and lifetimes are time tested, and if for some reason there is an issue, we will make it right.

RPK Series

The RPK Series of multiple, single-emitter fiber-coupled diode lasers are available in wavelengths from 405nm thru 1550nm with up to ≈ 500W output power. Our specialized fiber-coupling techniques ensure high efficiency, stability, and superior beam quality, while rigorous inspections and burn-in procedures guarantee each product’s reliability, stability, and long lifetime. Highly customizable packages allow us to meet our customers’ specific needs, providing high-quality products at reasonable prices.

RPKBDL Series

The RPKBDL Series is a high-power direct diode turn-key system available in wavelengths of 445nm, 915nm, or 976nm, providing up to 3kW of power and unprecedented brightness. Its pluggable design makes maintenance easy, avoiding troubles and high time costs caused by return-to-factory maintenance. The RPKBDL series results from continuous innovation, ensuring high technical strength and product quality. This highly customizable system allows us to meet our customers’ specific needs, providing high-quality products at reasonable prices.

RWLD Series

The RWLD series offers competitively priced laser diodes with high beam quality and a wide variety of products to support multiple applications. Available in a wide range of wavelengths, power levels, and packages. The RWLD wavelength options span from 405nm to 1650nm, with output powers in the range of 10 mW to 300 mW, packaged in a TO-18 package with photodiode. We also offer customized options, such as a customized wavelength, output power, or a special package to meet your specific needs.

RWLP Series

The RWLP series offers an affordable and versatile solution for your laser application needs with single-mode and multimode options and wavelengths from 405nm thru the IR region. With customizable options, our team can work with you to solve any challenges you may face. Rigorously tested for long-term reliability, the RWLP series ensures consistent performance and high beam quality. Perfect for integration, this series supports multiple applications including biological and analytical instrumentation.