Optrel panoramaxx hybrid clt laser welding helmet online shop UK by WeldingSuppliesDirect: QCW Fiber Laser Welding Machine – Utilizing a quasi-continuous wave (QCW) mode, this machine provides high peak power output. It is well-suited for applications requiring high melting rates and deep penetration welding, particularly where high-strength welds are critical. YAG Laser Welding Machine – Powered by a solid-state laser source, YAG laser welders are suitable for welding thicker materials. Although their efficiency is lower compared to fiber laser machines, they remain a robust option for heavy industry and manufacturing applications due to their strong welding capabilities. High Welding Quality – The laser beam is precisely controlled by an advanced system, ensuring narrower weld seams, deeper penetration, and uniform heat distribution. This results in stronger joints while minimizing the impact on surrounding areas. The reduced heat input significantly lowers thermal deformation and stress, preserving the original properties of the workpiece. See extra details at laser welding training.
Laser welding has many good points. Here are some: Precision and Accuracy: Laser welding is very exact. The laser beam is focused and controlled. It is great for small parts and tricky shapes. It looks better than old welding ways. Speed and Efficiency: Laser welding is fast. It finishes jobs quicker than old methods. This helps make more things in less time. Minimal Heat Input: Laser welding uses less heat. This means less bending or twisting of materials. You can use it on thin metals safely. Versatility: Laser welding works with many metals. It can join stainless steel, titanium, and shiny metals like aluminum. This makes it useful in many fields. Sustainability: Laser welding is good for the planet. It uses less energy and makes little waste. This fits with green practices.
Suitable for a range materials and thicknesses – With lasers, many different materials can be welded or joined, both metallic and non-metallic, and including steels, stainless steels, Al, Ti and Ni alloys, plastics and textiles. Furthermore, taking the example of steels, the thickness of the material that can be welded can be anything from under a millimetre to around 30mm , depending on the type and power of laser used. Performed out of vacuum – Unlike the majority of electron beam keyhole welding operations, laser welding is carried out at atmospheric pressure, although gas shielding is often necessary, to prevent oxidation of the welds. Non-contact, single-sided process – Laser welding does not apply any force to the workpieces being joined, and more often or not is a single sided process, ie completing the joint from one side of the workpieces. However, in common with many other fusion processes, weld root shielding can be required from the opposite side.
Adjustable Height: Many portable welding tables allow you to adjust the tabletop height. This feature ensures comfort during long welding sessions. Additionally, some tables have options, allowing you to use the welding table as an extension of an existing workspace. Clamp Slots and Tool Compatibility: Portable tables often come with slots for clamps and fixturing, and tool/gun holders making it easier to secure your workpiece. Compact Design: If you’re tight on space, a portable welding table is a space-saving solution. When not in use, you can fold it up flat for storage. The compact design ensures that it won’t take up unnecessary room in your workshop. Overall, a portable welding table can greatly enhance your welding experience by providing a stable, safe, and organized workspace wherever you go.
Types of Welding Tables – When it comes to selecting the perfect welding table, each type offers unique features and benefits that cater to various welding needs and preferences. In this section, we’ll explore the most common types of welding tables to help you make an informed choice. Fixed Welding Tables Advantages: Stability: Fixed welding tables are known for their exceptional stability, making them ideal for heavy-duty welding tasks. Durability: They are built to withstand continuous use and the rigours of welding, ensuring a long lifespan. Workshop Integration: If you have a dedicated welding area in your workshop, a fixed welding table can be permanently installed for convenience. Considerations: Limited Mobility: Fixed tables are not designed for mobility, so they are best suited for workshops with a fixed layout. Space Requirement: You need ample space in your workshop to accommodate a fixed welding table.
Weight: Steel tables can be heavy, which limits their portability. Corrosion: While they are resistant to heat, they can be susceptible to corrosion without proper maintenance or treatment. We recommend nitriding treatment. Cast Iron Welding Tables Advantages: Stability: Cast iron tables are exceptionally stable, providing a solid foundation for welding projects. Heat Resistance: They excel in heat resistance, maintaining their flat surface even under intense welding conditions. Durability: Cast iron tables are known for their durability and resistance to wear and tear. They’re naturally spatter resistant so they’re a good option if you mostly MIG weld. Considerations: Weight: Cast iron tables are heavy and require extra effort to move or transport. Maintenance: They can be prone to rust, so regular maintenance is necessary or treatments to prevent corrosion.
Although welding tables can technically be made from almost any metal, primarily they will be made from carbon steel, cast iron, stainless steel, or aluminum – in that order, and with stainless and aluminum being rare. Each material has certain advantages and disadvantages. Carbon Steel Advantages – Carbon steel welding tables are generally lighter in weight compared to cast iron tables of similar sizes. This makes them more portable and easier to move around the workshop. Carbon steel is generally more affordable and widely available compared to cast iron, making it a cost-effective option for welding tables.
Aluminum, being a non-ferrous metal, eliminates the risk of iron contamination when welding stainless steel components. It is generally a much more economical option for shops working exclusively with stainless or aluminum. It offers excellent corrosion resistance and will never, ever rust. It’s non-magnetic, which can be advantageous in certain welding applications. Aluminum has excellent thermal conductivity, which helps dissipate heat during welding and reduces the likelihood of distortion in the workpiece. Aluminum is a much softer material compared to steel, and is prone to scratches and dents from heavy usage. Tooling could also potentially put enough pressure on the surface to damage it since whatever is being welded is likely stronger than aluminum. It’s non-magnetic, which can be a disadvantage in certain welding applications. Aluminum welding tables will always be more expensive than carbon steel. For applications where a heavy table offers benefits, aluminum won’t provide the same level of stability. Aluminum tables are generally less common, potentially limiting options.
Casters: Mobility First – Of course, casters are wheels attached to the bottom of the table legs, allowing it to roll. Every different manufacturer has different casters, and this is an entire discussion on it’s own! I am very partial to the ones we offer, which are “total lock” style – meaning they will neither roll, or swivel when locked. When to Use Casters: Small Shops: Flexibility to move the table when space is tight. Multi-Use Workspaces: Tables can be moved out of the way for other tasks. Temporary or Mobile Welding: Rolling tables make it easier to move between work areas or outside. Both Options: The Best of Both Worlds – A combination setup with casters and leveling feet – typically retractable casters that raise or lower to engage wheels or stabilize the table. When to Use Both: Heavy Tables That Need Occasional Mobility: Move the table when needed, then stabilize it for work. Precision and Flexibility: Achieve rock-solid stability when working and mobility when rearranging the shop. Large or Dynamic Shops: Tables that need to move between stations or processes.