Laser welding is an efficient and precise welding method using high energy density laser beam as heat source. It is one of the important aspects of laser material processing technology application.At present, with the adjustment of energy structure and the improvement of environmental protection requirements, the automobile industry is developing towards the direction of lightweight, and the use of new lightweight materials is one of the effective means to realize the lightweight of automobiles.Laser welding plays an increasingly important role in connecting lightweight materials with its unique advantages.
Automotive lightweighting is not according to the literal meaning to understand the "lose weight", but on to ensure the quality of the car, will be more new materials used in the function of auto parts, components, for more excellent performance of auto parts, lighter weight at the same time, to ensure that the car to reduce energy consumption, in the process of multiple effect.
At present, automobile lightweight technology is mainly realized through the following ways: the proportion of light materials is increasing constantly, the application of aluminum alloy, magnesium alloy, titanium alloy, high-strength steel, plastics, powder metallurgy, ecological composite materials and ceramics, etc.Structural optimization and modular design of components are constantly improving, such as the use of front wheel drive, high rigid structure and ultra-light suspension structure to achieve the purpose of lightweight, computer-aided integration technology (including CAD/CAE/CAO) and structural analysis technology development;To promote the automobile manufacturing industry in the forming method and connection technology innovation.
Laser cutting and laser welding have become important technical means to realize automobile lightweight with their unique advantages in the above three ways.For laser welding, laser welding is out of contact, in the process of machining, can not touch products can achieve precision welding, the traditional way of connection, have a plenty of screw fastening, have a plenty of adhesive connection, cannot meet the modern car manufacturing to the requirement of precision and robustness, and the traditional way is not applicable to connect the new material.In contrast, laser welding has achieved leap-forward progress in connection firmness, seamless, precision and cleanness, and will become an important forming method in the future.