Oxford-based laser-maker IPG Photonics Corp. said it managed to use one of its commercial fiber lasers to weld nearly a meter of 1-inch-thick stainless steel in about a minute at its application center in Germany.
The company said it also welded three-quarter inch stainless steel at speeds of about 2 meters per minute.
The company said the tests indicate that lasers could replace expensive electron beam welding in many applications such as ship building, pipelines, gas tanks aerospace and construction.
