Hybrid welding with arc and laser beam

This paper deals with a combination of two different welding processes, i.e. the synergic action of two different heat sources for fusion welding. The major part of the paper is focused on the combined action of a welding arc and a laser beam. The main advantage of the use of both heat sources is more efficient use of the energy supplied. With certain parameters, the quantity of molten material increases by 100% compared with the sum of the individual quantities of molten material in the individual processes. The paper further presents several practical applications of the combined welding process. Eventually, development of arc augmented laser welding may progress in two directions; the first being the synergic effect of a laser beam and plasma welding arc and the second the combination of tandem laser welding and consumable electrode welding. This paper presents two such cases schematically.