ABSTRACT
Laser welding is a mature technology that has pervaded into the manufacturing cycle of products ranging from the smallest medical components through to the largest nuclear reactors. This chapter aims to take the reader through an informal introduction to the subject, intentionally not focusing in detail on any specific area, but instead trying to convey the basic concepts and key terms facilitating the reader to then search for more targeted information. The text takes the reader from the initial light–matter interaction, through the primary weld mechanisms, and identifies key benefits and drawbacks of the process and faults within the weld. Following this we look at the practical issues for making basic welds, before moving onto some of the key commercial benefits. Finally there is a discussion on the emerging technologies which are enabling laser welding to be implemented in ever-expanding commercial areas, and the diagnostics and automation options that ensure that all welds are fit for purpose.
