Development of Remote Welding System using fiber laser

In recent years, many of automotive companies are using laser welding in car body assembly shop. Even though laser welding is better than resistance spot welding in many points, its application has been limited in special manufacturing areas. This paper describes a new laser welding system named by Remote Welding System (RWS) developed at Hyundai Motor Company and comprised of fiber laser, industrial robot and remote welding head. In this technology, welding efficiency can be dramatically improved since its remote welding head where laser continuously finds next welding stitches in advance. Therefore, positioning time of laser is near to zero. It is a good solution for welding in mass production.