FAQ

Frequently asked questions

DRAG GAS NOZZLES

Can I observe the welding process with a camera, doesn’t a trailing gas nozzle obstruct the view?

Depending on the angle and position of the camera, it is possible to observe the process. In addition, a cut-out or a sight glass can be inserted into the trailing gas nozzle if a larger viewing area is required.

Can I work with filler wire or does the trailing gas nozzle block the path?

Trailing gas nozzles can be designed in such a way that the welding wire can be fed in without any problems.

Can trailing gas nozzles be used for forming?

Yes, trailing gas nozzles can also be used for forming, e.g. in pipes or along joints. Sufficient space must be available so that the nozzle can be carried along. Particularly with large components, where a large volume needs to be formed, trailing gas nozzles offer the advantage of protecting the hot area locally around the seam more quickly and with less gas, instead of having to purge the entire area for a long time.

What are the advantages of trailing gas nozzles compared to standard nozzles?

Trailing gas nozzles offer improved shielding gas coverage. This leads to a reduction in oxidation (annealing colours), which is particularly important when welding stainless steel or titanium. Unwanted changes to the component, such as pores in the seam and burn-off of alloying elements, are minimised. The nozzles are designed to distribute the shielding gas more efficiently and evenly around the welding point, thereby keeping the oxygen away from the heat-affected zone on the component.

What are the advantages of additively manufactured trailing gas nozzles compared to self-built ones?

Our trailing gas nozzles are very robust and durable. They are equipped with wear parts to withstand the thermal loads during welding as well as spatter, fumes and dirt. In addition, our nozzles can be designed with or without cooling, depending on the operating conditions. Furthermore, the gas distribution in the trailing gas nozzles and the outflow from the nozzle have been optimised using modern flow simulation methods so that the nozzles provide a laminar shielding gas film as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Do you offer trailing gas nozzles with cooling?

Our trailing gas nozzles can be customised, even from a quantity of just a single piece. Integrated cooling channels are particularly recommended for use with high currents or laser power.

How high is the gas consumption? What adjustments can be made?

Depending on the size of the trailing gas nozzle, the gas consumption is approximately between 20 and 40 litres/min. With this amount of gas, a much larger area can be covered on the component than is possible, for example, with welding torches with large gas lenses.

How long can a trailing gas nozzle withstand the stresses of use?

Our drag gas nozzles are not wear parts, but are designed for continuous operation. There are replaceable wear parts in the nozzle body that can be replaced if they become heavily stained (e.g. by welding spatter).

How do I choose the right shielding gas system for my specific welding requirements?

OSCAR-PLT can select the right nozzles for you. The size and geometry of the nozzles can vary greatly depending on the process. Our service includes process analysis, welding tests, nozzle design, structural integration and on-site commissioning. The selection of the right nozzles depends on several factors, including the material to be welded, the welding process used and the system environment.

WELDING CAMERAS

Can these welding cameras also be used to monitor laser processes?

Yes, we can configure the cameras so that they are suitable for the wavelength of your laser process.

What are the accessibility limits of your welding cameras?

The dimensions of our cameras are very small. However, if it is still too small for the process display, we can offer you solutions to make the best possible use of the installation space.

Is it possible to test the welding cameras in production?

Yes, we offer demonstrations of our camera models in your production environment. Please contact us to make an appointment, we would be happy to show you our welding cameras in action.

3D METAL PRINTING WITH OSCAR-PLT

Do you also offer metal 3D printing services or could you recommend service providers?

In addition to system development and production, we take on feasibility studies and application studies up to two to three items. To this end, we operate our own application center, where we also support our existing customers in process development and layer analysis. A number of contract service providers employ our technologies and we would be happy to put you in touch.

METAL PRINTING WITH PROFOCUS

Can your laser optics also be used for joint welding or hardening?

Our systems primarily enable the processing of workpiece surfaces or the construction of entire 3D component geometries. For classic joint welding or hardening, we are happy to recommend partners from our network.

Can this welding technology be integrated into any production system?

Yes, our welding systems can be integrated into practically all standard production systems.

Is it also possible to coat inside the component?

Depending on the component properties, we can apply targeted coating in the interior area up to a distance of 100 mm based on different available focus lengths.

METAL 3D PRINTING PROCESS

What are the advantages of wire over powder? 

Deposition welding with wire is the most material-efficient and safest laser technology. It is characterised by high availability, cost efficiency, easy handling and certified filler metal quality. It also minimises material loss and is harmless to health. 

What are the advantages of laser welding technology over competing processes such as MSG, PTA or electron beam?

We see our laser technology as an important and forward-looking addition to the mentioned processes. We can work dynamically on components and under normal conditions using localised shielding gas coverage. Minimising distortion and undesirable softening of the base materials are just some of the advantages that enable us to overcome production limits. With ProFocus, wire and powder materials can also be guided in one system and applied layer by layer, locally, and even in alternation, if needed. This flexibility does not exist with other processes.

MAINTENANCE OF 3D METAL PRINTING MACHINES

What about the susceptibility of laser technology to dust and moisture? 

ProFocus laser heads, as well as the entire system technology, are built for industrial use – they are insensitive to dust, moisture, vibrations and temperature fluctuations. Even in applications under the harshest conditions, such as in mining operations, our systems have already proven themselves over several years.