Welding Characteristics of Ring Mode 5kW CO₂ Laser

Abstract

The focusing characteristics of ring mode CO₂laser beam have been analyzed by using the diffraction theory. Then the influence of the focusing performance, the beam power and welding speed on the penetration depth have been investigated with the 5 kW CO₂laser.
It has been demonstrated experimentally that the welding performance depend on both the magnetification factor and F number especially under the high speed conditions.
The bead-transition phenomena according to changing the focusing position can be evaluated by the parameter (Wd-f) /F (Wd is work distance and f is focal length).