cracked cylinder head laser welding anyone

[lotus 30]

Is it possible to laser weld this some one has pulled up the dynamo mount on this and it has cracked and water is seeping out.

 

[dannyp]

managed to tif weld head before, dunno about laser welding tho sounds like it would be neater

 

[bill_gj]

That head looks a bit Imp-ish. What's it from?
My Imp heads often cracked like that. Usually fixed with TIG, but by an expert.

 

[backpurge]

Why laser welding rather than TIG

 

[Rocketman]

Why laser welding rather than TIG

Laser welding has the least effect on surrounding metal. Injection mould tools are often laser welded now days for repairs to keep as much of the original material characteristics.

 

[toddy]

You will find electron beam welding has the least effeft due to the speed and shape of the weld.
Laser welding is close, but laser welding can prmote cracking more due to the rapid cooling rate, and then it depends on what type of laser source you use and wavelength, as this all affects the coupling into the material.

So if other people say tig im with them..

Laser welding is good if you have the time and material to practice on to get the best parameters.

 

[lotus 30]

Thanks chaps good discusion i will see what the experts say mind you i am aware and expert is a drip under pressure LOL.
I just thought this is the right place to ask the question about repairing this head.
andy

 

[500e]

Looks like a Cclimax head

 

[lotus 30]

yes it is its now at south wales pistons for repair

 

[ronan]

Laser welding has the least effect on surrounding metal. Injection mould tools are often laser welded now days for repairs to keep as much of the original material characteristics.

I seen two feeler gauges welded together length ways by laser, it was done by a toolmaking company which has since closed. The amazing thing was there was no distortion that i could see.

 

[Rocketman]

I seen two feeler gauges welded together length ways by laser, it was done by a toolmaking company which has since closed. The amazing thing was there was no distortion that i could see.

Not long ago a tool I designed for a jaq need a load of mods, it was inserted but the witness lines from inserting weren't acceptable by the client once moulded. All the inserts were laser welded into the top surface, slightly re-machined locally over the welds and then surface retextured. You could never tell that it had the inserts, no pre heating of the steel to weld and no thermal distortion from the welding.

One of the toolmakers I used to work at spent 20K on laser welding in one year on tool repairs and mods on mainly ali tools