Laser welding and rust removal
 

Holy carp it looks like the basic machines are $30K, but they do everything including stacking dimes when pulsed.
The heat is concentrated onto the joint only so no warping.

The process still uses wire and gases but nitrogen works on almost all materials.


Is LASER Welding Better Than TIG Welding?
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ioEhkL48e38?si=6WxKrTMoHs8Ug0bN" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

It looks to be way better, especially when considering ease of use. But until the price drops to a fraction of what it currently is, I won't be buying a laser welder any time soon. I wonder how low it can go.

In every laser welding application I've seen the fit results were proportional to the fit up. Perfect fit-up, excellent welds.

If (very big if) the wire feed works, then that is a real game changer. The description by the 'expert' was not really believable, 'the wire pushes the laser along'. Regardless, this might be a really good welder.

The energy control is beyond any other similar process.

It look like a great process but I'm concerned about the stray/reflected laser energy (eye and skin protection).

You'd also need a screened area so no bystanders are exposed in a work shop.

I saw another video about laser welders and they had a large booth like a spray booth to keep people away, lest they go blind or something.