METHOD FOR JOINING TWO COMPONENTS TO ONE ANOTHER BY MEANS OF LASER WELDING AND COMPONENT ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for joining two components to one another by laser welding, wherein a first component and a second component are arranged adjacent to one another to form a component arrangement, in that the component arrangement has an irradiation surface which has a first radiation partial surface on the first component and a second radiation partial surface on the second component, wherein the irradiation surface is irradiated with a laser beam along an irradiation direction in a joining region. In the method, the irradiation surface has a gap in the joining region, the gap extending from the irradiation surface in the irradiation direction, wherein the first component and the second component are joined to one another by heat conduction welding.

Claims

1. A method of joining two components to one another by laser welding, the method comprising: arranging a first component and a second component adjacent to one another in a component arrangement such that the component arrangement has an irradiation surface comprising a first partial irradiation surface on the first component and a second irradiation partial surface on the second component; and irradiating the irradiation surface with a laser beam along an irradiation direction in a joining region, wherein the irradiation surface has a gap in the joining region which, starting from the irradiation surface, tapers in the irradiation direction, and wherein the first component and the second component are joined to one another by heat conduction welding.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the component arrangement is provided by arranging the first component and the second component at a distance from one another which is from at least 0 mm to at most 0.3 mm.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein a minimum distance between the first component and the second component in the joining region is at least 0 mm to at most 0.3 mm.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first component and the second component are joined to one another a) without an additional active substance, and/or b) without inert gas.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein a quotient of a beam width dimension of the laser beam is added to a beam width dimension in the irradiation surface measured width of the gap is at least 0.2 to at most 2.0.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the gap is: a) symmetrical on the first component and on the second component, or b) on one side of a component selected from the first component and the second component; and/or in that the gap is formed c) at least one rounded wall, and/or d) at least one flat sloping wall.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein a) at least one rounded wall has a radius of at least 0.1 mm to at most of 5 mm; and/or b) a full opening angle of the gap having at least one sloping wall is at least 15 to at most 60; preferably at least 20 to at most 55; and/or c) a quotient of a radiation intensity in the direction of irradiation from the irradiation region measured depth of the gap to the width of the gap measured in the irradiation region of at least 0.2.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the laser beam a) in a CW mode; or b) in a pulsed mode; and/or c) with a beam diameter of at least 0.1 mm and not more than 2.5 mm, and/or d) with a power output of not less than 50 W and not more than 5 kW and/or e) with a wavelength of 400 nm or more but not exceeding 1200 nm, and/or f) with a feed rate of at least 0.25 m/min in a clocked operation with a feed rate of at least 0.25 m/min.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the laser beam is generated by a laser selected from a group consisting of a diode laser, a fiber laser, a Nd:YAG laser, and a disk laser.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one component selected from the first component and the second component: a) has at least one material or consists of a material selected from a group consisting of nickel silver, INOX, in particular INOX 316L, copper or a copper alloy, and titanium, and/or b) is manufactured as a sintered component, in particular as an additive manufactured sintered component or as a MIM component.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein a laser weld seam is produced, wherein: a) one in the irradiation surface perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the laser weld seam measured width of the laser weld seam of at least 0.1 mm to at most 3 mm, and/or b) a depth of the laser weld seam measured in the irradiation direction is greater than that in the irradiation surface perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the laser weld seam, measured width of the laser weld seam.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the laser beam is displaced several times along the gap relative to the component arrangement.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first component and the second component is a tube, with a wall thickness of at least 0.1 mm to at most 4 mm.

14. A component arrangement comprising: a first component and a second component, the first component and the second component welded to one another by laser heat conduction welding, wherein: a) a laser weld seam in a joining region of the component arrangement has a depth which is greater than its width, and/or b) at least one component, selected from the first component and the second component, is a sintered component or is formed as MIM component.

15. The component arrangement according to claim 14, wherein at least one component selected from the first component and the second component exhibits copper or a copper alloy, or consists of copper or a copper alloy.

Description

[0093] The invention is explained more closely in the following on the basis of the drawing.

[0094] FIG. 1 a schematic representation of a first form of a method for joining two components with one another by laser welding;

[0095] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an example of the execution of an arrangement of two components joined with one another by laser heat conduction welding;

[0096] FIG. 3 a schematic representation of a second type of method;

[0097] FIG. 4 a schematic representation of a third type of the method;

[0098] FIG. 5 a schematic representation of a fourth form of the method, and

[0099] FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a fifth form of the method.

[0100] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a method for welding two components with one another by laser welding, whereby a first component and a second component 3 are arranged adjacent to each other to form a component arrangement 5 in such a way that the component arrangement 5 has an irradiation surface 7 which has a first irradiation sub-surface 7.1 on the first component 1 and a second irradiation sub-surface 7.2 on the second component 3. The irradiation surface 7 is irradiated with a laser beam 11 in a joint region 9 along the irradiation direction indicated by a first arrow P1. The laser beam 11 is generated by a laser beam source 13, in particular a laser is provided. The laser beam source 13 can also be a last outcoupling unit, for example of an optical fiber carrying the laser beam 11, a last mirror, or another beam carrying or beam deflecting optical element before the joint region 9, from which the laser beam 11 propagates freely to the joint region 9. The irradiation direction extends from the laser beam source 13 in the direction of the joint region 9.

[0101] The laser beam 11 is preferably moved relative to the component arrangement 5 along a longitudinal extension of the laser weld seam to be produced. Alternatively or additionally, the component assembly 5 can be moved relative to theif necessary stationarylaser beam 11.

[0102] The irradiation surface 7 has a gap 15 in the joint region 9 that narrows from the irradiation surface 7 in the irradiation direction. The first component 1 and the second Component 3 are joined with one another by heat conduction welding.

[0103] In this way it is possible to form a stable, embrittlement free, especially oxide-free, laser weld seam 17, whose geometry is essentially determined by the geometry of the gap 15. In particular, the laser weld seam 17 can be produced with a depth that is greater than its width measured in the irradiation surface 7, in particular also with an aspect ratio of greater than 2. The depth of the laser weld seam 17 extends from the irradiation surface 7 into the gap 15 as seen in the direction of irradiation.

[0104] In the method design shown here, the gap 15 is symmetrically formed on the first component 1 and on the second component 3. The gap 15 has at least one rounded wall 19, 19. In particular, the gap 15 has two rounded walls 19, 19.

[0105] In particular, the components 1, 3 here are designed as wires, especially as circular cylindrical wires, which are arranged next to each other along their longitudinal extension, so that they at bestif they lie close with one anotherhave line contact with each other. But they can also be arranged at a small distance from each other. The method described here is advantageous in that the gap 15 between the diodes is filled by material melted from their surfaces without the molten material escaping on the side facing away from the laser beam source 13. In this way, a very clean, stable and at the same time aesthetically pleasing attachment of the two wires to each other can be achieved. Especially an optical quality like soldered seam can be achieved.

[0106] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of an example of a component assembly 5, in particular the component assembly 5 produced within the scope of the method according to FIG. 1. Identical and functionally identical elements are marked with identical reference marks, so that reference is made to the previous description. FIG. 2 shows in particular a Cross-sectional view of the component arrangement 5, as it is typically obtained for a micrograph to assess the quality of the laser weld seam 17. The first component 1 and the second component 3 are welded with one another by means of laser heat conduction welding the laser weld seam 17 in the joint region 9 of the component arrangement 5 has a depth that is greater than its width.

[0107] FIG. 2 also shows that the material melted from the surfaces and in particular the walls 19, 19 of the gap 15 fills the gap 15 without affecting the laser beam source 13 or, here, the laser weld seam 17 to get away from the side of the component assembly 5.

[0108] At least one of the components 1, 3 is preferably manufactured or designed as a sintered component, in particular as an MIM component. Both components 1, 3 are particularly preferably manufactured or designed as sintered components, in particular as MIM components. In doing so, in particular there are advantages of the method, since in the method of hot conduction welding 30 no interference from residual gas from pores and no oxidation of residual binder components is to be feared. At the same time, a very stable laser weld seam 17 can be produced.

[0109] For the fillet shape according to FIG. 1 of the method and the fillet example according to FIG. 2 of the component arrangement 5, a wire diameter for components 1, 3 of at least 1.0 mm up to at most 5.0 mm, preferably 1.3 mm, is particularly used. A width of the laser weld seam 17 measured in the irradiation region 7 is 5 preferably from at least 0.2 mm to at most 3 mm, preferably 0.4 mm.

[0110] It is possible that the laser beam 11 is generated in CW mode. Especially in this case, the feed rate along a longitudinal extension of the laser weld seam 17 shown in FIG. 1 by a second arrow P2 is preferably from at least 5 m/min to at most 15 m/min, preferably 12 m/min. The laser power of the laser beam 11 is preferably from at least 250 W to at most 5 kW, preferably 750 W.

[0111] The laser beam 11 is preferably generated with a wavelength of at least 400 nm to at most 1200 nm, preferably from at least 920 nm to at most 1064 nm, especially 532 nm, 515 nm or 450 nm.

[0112] It is also possible that the laser beam 11 is generated in a pulsed mode.

[0113] In particular, it is possible to irradiate the irradiation surface 7 by the laser beam 11 in a pulsed operation or in a continuous operation.

[0114] The laser beam 11 is preferably generated with a beam diameter of at least 0.2 mm to at most 2.5 mm, especially preferably of 0.4 mm.

[0115] The laser beam 11 is preferably generated by a laser selected from a group consisting of a diode laser, a fiber laser, a Nd:YAG laser, and a disk laser, in particular a diode-pumped disk laser.

[0116] At least one component, selected from the first component 1 and the second component 3, preferably has a material or consists of a material selected from a group consisting of nickel silver, stainless steel, in particular stainless steel 316L, copper

[0117] or a copper alloy, and titanium. in what is particularly preferred, both components 1, 3 have such a material or consist of such a material.

[0118] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of the second type of method.

[0119] Identical and functionally identical elements are marked with identical reference signs, so that reference is made to the previous description. The components 1, 3 are here designed as sheets, whereby the gap 15 has two rounded walls 19, 19 each. The rounded walls 19, 19 can have different radii or the same radius.

[0120] Preferably at least one radius of one of the rounded walls 19, 19 of at least 0.1 mm to at most 5 mm; preferably of at least 0.3 mm to at most 5 mm; preferably of at least 0.3 mm to at most 4.5 mm, preferably of at least 4 mm; preferably of at least 3.5 mm; preferably of at most 3.5 mm; preferably of at least 3 mm; preferably of at least 2.7 mm; preferably of at least 0.4 mm to at most 2.6 mm; preferably of at least 0.5 mm up to at most 2.5 mm; preferably from at least 0.6 mm up to at most 2.4 mm; preferably from at least 0.7 mm up to at most 2.3 mm; preferably from at least 0.8 mm up to at most 2.2 mm; preferably from at least 0.9 mm up to at most 2.1 mm; preferably from at least 1.0 mm to at most 2.0 mm; preferably from at least 1.1 mm to at most 1.9 mm; preferably from at least 1.2 mm to at most 1.8 mm; preferably from at least 1.3 mm to at most 1.7 mm; preferably from at least 1.4 mm to at most 1.6 mm; preferably from 1.5 mm, preferably 0.65 mm.

[0121] The components 1, 3 are arranged here in particular at a distance A, in particular a minimum distance A, from one another, which is from at least 0 mm to at most 0.3 mm, preferably to at most 0.25 mm, preferably to at most 0.2 mm, preferably to at most 0.1 mm, preferably at least 0.01 mm, preferably at least 0.05 mm. If preferred, distance A is selected specifically in this region.

[0122] FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of a third type of execution of the method. Identical and functionally identical elements are provided with identical reference marks, insofar as reference is made to the previous description. The components 1, 3 are arranged over the corner and therefore perpendicular to each other. The gap 15 has at least one flat sloped wall, here two sloped walls in the form of the sloped walls 19, 19. These are preferably provided by chamfering the components 1, 3 accordingly. In the example shown here, the gap is symmetrical to the first component 1 and formed on the second component 3.

[0123] FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of the fourth execution form of the method. Identical and functionally identical elements are provided with identical reference signs, insofar as reference is made to the previous description. While in the previously shown figures the irradiation sub-surfaces 7.1, 7.2 were arranged parallel to each other and aligned with each other in the shapes and examples shown there, in the example shown in FIG. 5 they are now arranged over the corner, in particular at an angle of 90 to each other, so that the irradiation surface 7 is not flat.

[0124] The gap 15 is formed here on one side of one of the components 1, 3here on the first component 1and has only one flat sloping wall, namely the first wall 19, which is formed as a chamfer. The second wall 19 of gap 15 is formed here without any chamfer or chamfer by the flat, second irradiation partial surface 7.2 of the second component 3.

[0125] The gap 15 is designed in particular as a fillet weld.

[0126] FIG. 6 shows a schematic representation of a fifth form of the method. Identical and functionally identical elements are marked with identical reference signs, so that reference is made to the previous description. The following parameters are schematically shown here: A beam width dimension B or diameter D of the laser beam 11, a width B of the gap 15 measured in the irradiation surface 7 perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the laser weld seam 17, a width B of the gap 15 measured in the irradiation direction starting from Irradiation surface 7 measured depth T of gap 15, and a full opening angle a of gap 15.

[0127] Preferably a quotient of the beam diameter D to the width B of the gap 15 of at least 0.2 to at most 2.0; preferably of at least 0.3 to at most 2.0; preferably of at least 0.4 to at most 2.0; preferably of at least 0.5 to at most 2.0; preferably of at least 0.6 to at most 1.9; preferably from at least 0.7 to at most 1.8; preferably to at most 1.7; preferably to at most 1.6; preferably from at least 0.8 to at most 1.5; preferably from at least 0.9 to at most 1.4; preferably from at least 1.0 to at most 1.3; preferably 1.2.

[0128] The full opening angle a of the gap 15 is preferably from at least 15 to at most 60; preferably from at least 20 to at most 55; preferably from at least 30 to at most 45; preferably from at least 35 to at most 40; preferably 37.

[0129] A quotient of the depth T of the gap 15 to its width B is preferably at least 0.2, preferably at least 0.3, preferably at least 0.5, preferably at least 0.6 to at most 3.2; preferably from at least 0.7 to at most 3.1; preferably from at least 0.8 to at most 3.0; preferably from at least 0.9 to at most 2.9; preferably from at least 1.0 to at most 2.8; preferably from at least 1.2 to at most 2.6; preferably from at least 1.4 to at most 2.4; preferably from at least 1.6 to at most 2.2; preferably from at least 1.8 to at most 2.0; preferably 1.9.

[0130] A width of the laser weld seam 17 measured in the irradiation surface 7 perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the laser weld seam 17 is preferably from at least 0.1 mm to at most 3 mm; preferably from at least 0.2 mm to at most 0.8 mm; preferably from at least 0.3 mm to at most 0.7 mm; preferably from at least 0.4 mm to at most 0.6 mm; preferably 0.5 mm or 0.4 mm.

[0131] It is possible for the laser beam 11 to be displaced once or several timesin particular 15 consecutively in timealong the gap 15 relative to the component arrangement 5. In the case of a multiple displacement along the same displacement path along the gap 15, a variation of an region of action of the laser beam 11 on the components 1, 3in particular by a variation of a wobbling movement superimposed on the displacement along the gap 15 and/or by varying the beam diameter Dbe provided. In particular, the region affected can increase from displacement to displacement. As an alternative or in addition, a variation of the power of the laser beam 11 in the event of a multiple shift, in particular from shift to shift, can be provided. A surface power or power density of the laser beam is preferably kept constant in thepreferably varyingeffective surface.

[0132] In a specific exemplary embodiment, it is possible for the laser beam 11 to have an effective region with a diameter of 0.15 mm during a first displacement along the gap 15, the effective region for a second displacement along the same displacement distance has a diameter of 0.3 mm and a third displacement has a diameter of 0.5 mm. The surface power or power density of the laser beam 11 is preferably kept constant.

[0133] Preferably, the first component and the second component are joined with one another without any filler material and/or protective gas. Preferably, at least one of the components 1, 3 is a precision mechanical component. In this case, it is preferable to join the components 1, 3 without any filler material or inert gas.

[0134] In cyclic operation, the feed rate is preferably at least 0.25 m/min, preferably from at least 0.5 m/min to at most 3 m/min, preferably to at most 1 m/min; in continuous operation, it is preferably from at least 3 m/min to at most 30 m/min.

[0135] In total, the method proposed here can be used to produce a stable, geometrically precisely defined laser weld seam 17 in the hot conduction welding method, whereby the component arrangement 5 proposed here is characterized by a correspondingly stable and embrittlement free laser weld seam 17.