How to Buy Handheld Laser Welder

Many of you might wonder what a handheld laser welder is. Though the product is self-explanatory, it’s not something many people know about.

Understanding it is easy, and upon knowing what it is – you might find yourself wanting it, too. That’s what we’ll be discussing today.

We’ll talk about handheld laser welding machines. In addition to that, we’ll also help you figure out which the best manufacturer is that you can trust!

 What is a Handheld Laser Welding Machine?

FUN FACT: Laser is short for “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.”

Its title pretty much tells you what it is.

Handheld laser welders are machines that can help you with laser welding and are portable. They’re light, and all electronics fit in just a single frame that’s easy to carry around.

Basics of Laser Welding

Understanding laser welding is as easy as how you understand general and basic welding.

Firstly, laser welding is a process of joining or fusing two (2) or more pieces of metal.

The process involves a light laser beam that is highly focused and is applied to a workpiece. In the process, the heat that’s generated by the laser is what makes the welding possible.

You can make laser welding work in two (2) ways: keyhole welding and conduction limited welding; we’ll go deeper into that a bit later.

Laser Cutting vs. Laser Welding

While you’ll be able to achieve both processes using a single machine, they’re different processes.

Laser cutting is when you want to achieve a cut or a slice through a conductive material. It can be any type of conductive material.

In laser cutting, the laser beam is meant to go at the deepest, slicing or cutting through the workpiece.

Laser welding, on the other hand, is a welding process in which its goal is to connect or link various workpieces together.

What Do You Use Laser Welding For?

Because the heat source from laser welding is stronger, it can help you create stronger and more reliable seams at higher speeds.

Laser cutting/welding a part of a car or an automotive vehicle

A lot of industries and sectors rely on it; the most common ones include:

• Automotive Industry
• Aerospace Industry
• Assembly and Fabrication Industry
• Engineering and IT Sectors
• Construction and Structural Industries
• And Many More

Different Types of Laser Welding

Remember conduction welding and keyhole welding? – They’re the types of laser welding you can perform to accomplish the welding and the cutting you need.

Keyhole Welding

This process involves the heating of the workpiece or the metal in a way that vaporization of the contact surface occurs.

Thus, creating a keyhole that has a plasma-like condition with temperatures that go upwards of 10,000 Kelvin.

You’ll be able to achieve keyhole welding if you utilize high-powered lasers that go upwards of 105 W per mm2.

Conduction Limited Welding  

Conduction welding is a procedure that involves heating the metal just above its melting point. As opposed to keyhole welding, you don’t need the contact surface to vaporize.

Outputs of conduction limited welding would lie between medium to moderate weld strength. A key benefit of this type of welding is the smoothness and the aesthetic appeal of the final weld.

How Do Laser Welders Work?

The principle of laser welders and welding torches is simple: the laser beam will be the agent used to heat the surface of the materials that you would fuse and join together.

Laser welders accomplish this by utilizing a pulse of light that has a small area of focus. The surface of the workpiece absorbs this, creating the heat.

How Strong Can Handheld Laser Welders Be?

Handheld laser welders deal with light, therefore, we calculate its strength via the speed of how the light travels.

Oftentimes, laser welding machines provide speeds that can be up to three (3) to five (5) times faster than MIG welding; this means five (5), even ten (10) times faster than traditional and regular TIG welding.

If it’s strength you’re worried about, you wouldn’t be dismayed with handheld laser welders.

What is Fiber Laser Welding?

Fiber laser welding is just one of the multiple laser processes.

A robotic arm performing fiber laser welding on a workpiece

It’s a welding process that utilizes solid-state lasers where optical fibers with decreased rare earth element levels are used as the medium.

You can understand it better as it’s the typical process you see in which laser welding is done.

How Do You Use a Handheld Laser Welder?

Using a handheld laser welder is not rocket science. It only requires you to know what you need to do, as well as the results you’ve been looking for.

1. The first step is to turn the engine on. Make sure that you connect it with the appropriate voltage required by the machine
2. Activate the emergency stop button, as well as the laser generator button. This will turn the screen or the interface on
3. Activate the laser source and the water cooler/chiller
4. Specify the power, mode, and the speed using the interface depending on the thickness of the material
5. Grab the laser welder and adjust the focal length of the nozzle
6. Test it using scrap materials to see if the specifications are right

That’s it! You now know how to use and operate a handheld laser welding machine.

What are Handheld Fiber Laser Welders?

It’s a type of welding machine that utilizes optical fibers.

Since it’s handheld, it’s not going to be a challenge for you to transport it from one location to another.

Is There a Laser Welding Machine for Stainless Steel?

Laser welding, in itself, is a type of procedure you can use for semi-conductive and conductive materials.

Handheld laser welder for stainless steel

Therefore, you’ll be able to use it to weld and cut mild and stainless steel.

Handheld Laser Welders for Sale

You will be able to purchase a wide variety of handheld laser welding machines in the market.

There are a lot of handheld laser welder manufacturers you can trust. The most popular ones that don’t have an expensive rate are:

• Leister Technologies
• STL Group
• Varibend
• LaserMach EU

These handheld laser welder suppliers don’t have lucrative rates. However, they might not meet the expectations you have when it comes to features and functionality.

Since they offer entry-level laser welding equipment, you might not be able to receive some of the qualities you’re looking for.

Usual Handheld Laser Welding Machine Price

When you perform a search online, you’ll encounter a lot of varying prices about handheld laser welders.

Some machines are priced under $1,000 – but some that can go as high as $50,000.

You’ll confuse yourself when you look online. If you want real results and answers, it’s best to contact a manufacturer and ask about the rates of their equipment.

Different manufacturers offer different prices. There can’t be a median rate for them. To sketch up a rough idea on how much it costs, moderate machines would be about $8,000 to $15,000.

High-tech and advanced handheld laser welding machines would have rates upwards of $15,000 but lower than $25,000.

Parts of a Handheld Laser Welder

In order for you to fully understand a handheld laser welder, you need to know its parts.

The components involved that make handheld laser welders function are:

• Main engine
• Water cooler or water cooling chiller
• Switch
• Screen or the control system
• Handheld laser head
• Optical fibers

The handheld laser head is comprised of the following:

• Main switch or button
• Focus mode
• Protection lens
• Focus adjustment nozzle
• Gas pipe protection

Before purchasing yours, make sure that they have all of these parts. Missing one of these can give you bad results; and can even disrupt or mess up your projects.

What are the Advantages of Laser Welding?

Laser welding can bring you a ton of advantages. The most common ones of the bunch include:

Ultimate and Supreme Accuracy and Precision

Probably the main advantage that you can get is the accuracy of the weld. Since you’ll be able to control it manually, it’s up to your movement on how the weld will go.

Even if you are to weld small parts and components, it wouldn’t be a problem with laser welding.

Consistency in the Welds

Since you set the speed, power, and mode manually, you can expect that your welds will be consistent – even if you need to weld large volumes of workpieces.

Add the fact that you can produce your welds faster, laser welding truly is something you need to consider.

Ability to Create and Produce Complex Welds

Some welding techniques such as MIG welding and TIG welding aren’t the best for complex welds; this is because of the limited electrodes available.

That’s when laser welding goes up a notch. No matter how complicated a certain weld seems, laser welders will be able to reach them.

Stronger and More Durable Welds

Last but most definitely not the least is the fact that you can have stronger welds.

You wouldn’t need filler materials to weld it, which can provide excellent strength and durability.

Those are just some of the most sought after benefits laser welding has.

Benefits of Using Handheld Laser Welders

Now that you know the advantages of laser welding, what benefits could handheld laser welders have?

Let’s go on and discuss the perks of utilizing handheld or manual laser welding machines.

Better Control

Control in terms of mode, speed, power, heat, etc., and control in the movement. You’ll be able to set it to the minimum, or the maximum depending on your preference.

Versatility of Welds

Another advantage of using handheld lasers is the fact that you can use it for a wide range of objects and materials.

In addition, you’ll be able to weld dissimilar objects and materials, too!

No Electrodes Needed

We also know that you don’t have to use any type of electrode for it. Therefore, you can expect less costs and damages on your outputs.  

Easy to Focus

The laser beam you’ll use for the weld or the cut is easy to set to focus.

You’ll have optical instruments as guides for alignment, and you’ll never have to think about quality.

Other benefits include:

• No protection required against vacuum or radiation
• Can be focused in a small area
• Can be operated at a small space

Why Choose LaserCheeron?

LaserCheeron stands out in the market for its commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. Their handheld laser welders are designed with the user in mind, ensuring ease of use, durability, and exceptional performance. By choosing LaserCheeron, you are investing in a product that is backed by years of industry expertise and a strong reputation for excellence.

Factors to Consider When Buying a Handheld Laser Welder

1. Power and Performance:
   • Assess the power requirements of your specific applications and ensure that the laser welder you choose can meet these demands. LaserCheeron offers a range of power options to cater to various welding needs.
2. Ease of Use:
   • Look for a laser welder that is user-friendly, especially if you are new to laser welding. LaserCheeron’s handheld laser welders are designed for simplicity, ensuring a short learning curve and efficient operation.
3. Material Compatibility:
   • Ensure that the laser welder is compatible with the materials you will be working with. LaserCheeron’s products are versatile and can be used on a variety of materials, providing flexibility for different projects.
4. Portability and Design:
   • Consider the design and weight of the laser welder, especially if you will be moving it frequently. LaserCheeron’s handheld laser welders are compact and lightweight, offering excellent portability.
5. Safety Features:
   • Safety should always be a top priority. Check for safety features such as protective shields and emergency stop buttons. LaserCheeron prioritizes safety, incorporating various features to ensure secure operation.
6. Warranty and Support:
   • Look into the warranty and customer support services offered by the manufacturer. LaserCheeron provides comprehensive warranty coverage and a dedicated support team to assist with any queries or issues.
7. Cost and Budget:
   • Evaluate your budget and compare it with the cost of the laser welder. LaserCheeron offers competitive pricing without compromising on quality, ensuring you get the best value for your investment.
8. Reviews and Testimonials:
   • Research customer reviews and testimonials to gauge the reliability and performance of the product. LaserCheeron has a strong track record of positive feedback, reflecting their commitment to customer satisfaction.

Conclusion Investing in a handheld laser welder is a significant decision that requires careful consideration. By taking into account the factors mentioned above and choosing a reputable provider like LaserCheeron, you can ensure that you select the perfect tool for your welding needs. With the right laser welder in hand, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle any welding project with precision and ease.