SHADOW a new welding technique: basics and applications

Alexander M. Olowinsky; Kilian Klages; Jens Gedicke

doi:10.1117/12.596351

8 October 2004 SHADOW a new welding technique: basics and applications

Alexander M. Olowinsky, Kilian Klages, Jens Gedicke

Proceedings Volume 5662, Fifth International Symposium on Laser Precision Microfabrication; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.596351
Event: Fifth International Symposium on Laser Precision Microfabrication, 2004, Nara, Japan

Abstract

The joining processes in watch manufacturing industry are today still dominated by conventional joining techniques like press fitting or crimping. Laser beam micro welding provides consistent joining and high flexibility. Different parts and even different metals can be joined in a non-contact process. The application of a relative movement between the laser beam and the part to be joined at feed rates of up to 60 m/min produces weld seams with a length from 0.6 mm to 15.7 mm using a pulsed Nd:YAG laser with a pulse duration of up to 20 ms. Due to the low energy input, typically 1 J to 6 J, a weld width as small as 50 μm and a weld depth as small as 20 μm have been attained. This results in low distortion of the joined watch components. Since the first applications of laser beam micro welding of watch components showed promising results, the process could be further enhanced using the SHADOW welding technique. Aspects of the technique such as tensile strength, geometry and precision of the weld been improved. Within the scope of this paper this new welding process will be explained and several examples of joined watch components will be presented with respect to fundamentals and the sustainable implementation of the SHADOW welding technique into watch manufacturing. New fields of applications for joining different materials such as steel to brass or steel to copper for electrical interconnects will be discussed. Here the SHADOW welding technique offers new possibilities for the combination of good electrical properties of copper with high mechanical stiffness of steel. The paper will give a closer look to micro joining applications especially using the SHADOW welding technique. Basics of the process as well as its application on dedicated examples will be shown for small parts such as axis-wheel combinations.

Citation Download Citation

Alexander M. Olowinsky, Kilian Klages, and Jens Gedicke "SHADOW a new welding technique: basics and applications", Proc. SPIE 5662, Fifth International Symposium on Laser Precision Microfabrication, (8 October 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.596351

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