Method of laser welding

摘要

First and second metallic components are joined along a weld path by providing a beam of coherent electromagnetic energy having sufficient power to melt the first and second components and providing a low turbulent flow of an inert shielding gas over a weld region along a portion of the weld path. The beam is focussed on the weld region such that the beam energy is linearly distributed in the direction of the weld path with an intensity sufficient to form a pool of molten metal in the weld region. Relative motion is then established between the components and the beam to cause the weld region to move along the weld path, thereby joining the first and second components along the weld path.