Choosing a Laser Welding Machine?
There are two basic technologies for manual laser welding machines.
IPG technology (the world leader in fiber laser production), used in LightWeld1500 machines.
And an alternative technology developed as a counterpart, used in Chinese laser welding machines.
All Differences Between LightWeld1500 and Chinese Laser Welding Machines:
| Parameter | IPG LightWELD1500 Manual Laser Welding System | Chinese Laser Welding Machine |
|---|---|---|
| Model |
641x316x534
Compact machine. Does not require a large welding area. Easy to move and suitable for welding in hard-to-reach places.
|
From 1200x650x1000
Large system requiring significant space for installation and maintenance.
|
| Developed by | Developed by IPG (USA), the world leader in fiber laser production (75% market share). For Russia, IPG produces laser sources and welding machines at its factory in the Moscow region. Unlike Chinese imports, this equipment is fully covered by service and replacement warranties for failed parts. | Developed in China. Design flaws and use of cheap materials affect the service life and frequency of repairs. May include IPG components, but imported units in Russia are not covered by warranty. Extremely cheap Chinese alternative. |
| Laser Source | QCW quasi-continuous fiber laser, developed by IPG specifically for manual laser welding, installed only in LightWeld1500. Fine adjustments and welding mode adaptations allow consistent welding of thin metals (0.1mm) and thick metals (up to 3mm). | CW continuous fiber laser designed for cutting. Cannot finely adjust welding settings, making it unsuitable for both thin and thick parts on the same machine. |
| Availability in Russia | Produced in Russia. Full equipment sets are always in stock in Moscow. Machines can be inspected or tested before purchase. | Equipment is usually shipped from China. Cannot be inspected before purchase. Only demo units may exist in Russia, which differ significantly in quality from consumer units and are not for sale. |
| Functionality | Designed for laser welding with optional laser cleaning (up to 5mm). For surface cleaning, high beam frequency and low power are used. Minimal speed ensures only the thin outer layer of metal or contaminants is removed. | Some models include laser cleaning and cutting. Quality is very low since the laser is designed for cutting, not welding. Multi-functionality does not provide consistent results, negatively affecting durability, reliability, and replaceable components, making stable welding impossible. |
| Setup Time | Ready to work immediately with basic configuration. | Often requires additional components, increasing cost and delaying production implementation. |
| Price | Supplier offers discounts, gifts, or bonuses. | Customs fees, VAT, duties, and shipping costs may be added. |
| Payback at 100% load | 11 months | 14 months |
| Annual laser power loss | No more than 2% | From 10% |
| Laser source lifetime (hours) | 100,000 | 55,000 |
| Pump diode quality | High-quality diodes. IPG technology offers longer lifespan, higher pump brightness, and twice the energy efficiency compared to other manufacturers. IPG Photonics diode warranty is the same as the fiber laser or amplifier warranty. | Low. Cheap pump diodes degrade quickly, reducing maximum output power and weld depth over time. For example, a 1000W machine with a 3mm weld depth may degrade to 2.5mm, then 2mm, etc. |
| Weight | 53 kg Mobile welding system. Easy to move or transport. | From 200 kg Low-mobility system. Loading, unloading, and transport require special equipment. |
| Mobility | Convenient handles allow moving the machine anywhere. | Small wheels allow limited movement. Heavy vibration may damage parts. |
| Service | Qualified service at IPG factory in Moscow region. | Chinese service. Without local representatives, repairs can take months, causing significant financial impact. |
| Warranty repair time | Up to 3 days. Spare parts available in Moscow; replacement equipment may be provided during repair. | 4–8 weeks. Spare parts often unavailable, potentially halting production. |
| Transport to service center | ~50 kg units can be transported almost any way. | >200 kg units shipped to China are costly and risky due to fragile parts. |
| Material limitations | Can weld non-ferrous metals and alloys. | Cannot weld non-ferrous metals (copper, brass, and alloys). |
| Gun weight |
0.9 kg
Ergonomic, lightweight, and easy to use. Wobble function allows high-quality welding throughout a shift with safe laser activation via 2-stage trigger.
|
1.5 kg
Non-ergonomic, heavy, causes operator fatigue, making consistent weld quality difficult over a full shift.
|
| PPE included |
LightWeld comes with quality safety glasses, welding mask, and protective lenses.
|
PPE may not be included or may be of low quality. |
| Safety |
|
Some safety features may be missing (e.g., gas supply monitoring). |
| Back-reflection protection | Included. Critical for preventing service issues and saving costs. | Not included. May cause burn-out of the most expensive laser source component, requiring replacement. A new laser source costs from 600,000 RUB. |
| Cooling type | Air cooling. Built-in system allows 24/7 operation. Two fans draw air from the bottom, pass through modules, and exhaust upwards. Dust-protected modules require no maintenance, preventing overheating and improving performance. | Water cooling, increasing size, weight, and requiring additional time, materials, and energy for maintenance. Water may freeze at low temperatures. |
| Documentation | Complete documentation in Russian and English. | Check documentation completeness, language, and laser source warranty certificate. |
| Software | 100% licensed software. | Not all Chinese machines come with software; may be unlicensed or in Chinese. |
| Power consumption | 2.7 kW/h per 1000W. | 3.7 kW/h per 1000W. Electricity prices constantly rise. |
| Efficiency | 90% | 55% |
| Electricity savings | 20% | - |
| Adjustment flexibility | Extended | Standard |
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