1. Some people use high power lasers…
…For evil

2. We use ours for good
Our goal is to provide laser joining solutions for light weight alloys that reduce vehicle emissions and improve fuel efficiency, all while improving the recyclability of automobiles to reduce the environmental impact of the cars we drive

3. Problems to solve with joining light-weight alloys
Porosity
Cracking
Pre-existing pores
Large freezing temperature range
Coating on surface
Large solidification shrinkage
Hydrogen pores
High coefficient of thermal expansion
Collapse of unstable keyhole
Evaporation of elements
Low melting point intermetallic constituents
Irregular Surface appearance

4. Thermal simulation of the laser joining process
Numerical modeling to determine temperature distribution during the welding process
High-speed imaging of molten pool during joining process to improve understanding of weld pool dynamics

5. Process Monitoring High-speed imaging to clearly see the molten pool
Thermal imaging to study plasma formation
Optical Spectroscopy to determine light signature
Electron temperature correlated to defects

6. Laser Joining of Light-Weight Alloys
By: Perry Leggett and Masoud Harooni Advisor: Dr. Kovacevic RCAM-Lab 001