Lasers are used in variety of applications serving the military, medical, electronic and automotive industries, as well as many others. These industries have profited from advancements in laser beam welding, a technique used to join multiple pieces of metal through the use of a high power density versatile process capable of welding carbon, alloy and stainless steels, aluminum and titanium.
A recently released American National Standard from the American Welding Society (AWS), an American National Standards Institute organizational member and accredited standards developer, is intended to protect welders by outlining proper laser beam welding specifications and procedures. AWS C7.4/C7.4M: 2008, Process Specification and Operator Qualification for Laser Beam Welding, provides guidelines for applicable specifications, requirements, fabrication, and equipment calibration and maintenance. The standard also discusses safety, quality examination, approval of work and delivery of work.
AWS is a non-profit organization working to advance the science, technology and application of welding and allied joining and cutting processes including brazing, soldering, thermal spraying, ceramics, lamination and robotics. AWS membership includes engineers, scientists, educators, researchers, welders, inspectors, welding foremen, business executives and sales associates.