Dental Labs

Tips for Welding Stainless Steel

The LaserStar is an excellent tool for assembling most fixed and removable orthodontic appliances. Stainless Steel welds best by using the following parameter combinations:

215 – 225 V 1.0 – 3.0 MS 2.0 – 3.0 HZ .45 - .55 Ø WITH BASIC PULSE PROFILE

Use of Argon gas is highly recommended when welding Stainless Steel. Improper argon flow will result in oxidizing of the metal.

Tips for Welding Thin Stainless Steel

When welding thin Stainless Steel parts such as a Band to a Bar, be sure to use a lower Voltage, higher Millisecond with the BURST PROFILE SETTING. The use of BURST profile will prevent the laser from bursting holes in the thinner band. The following Parameter combinations were performed on an 80J LaserStar.

NOTE: Parameters may vary depending on the Joule energy output of the laser, flash-lamp age, and alloy surface condition.

185 V 9.0 MS 3.5 HZ .55 Ø WITH BURST PULSE PROFILE

It is also necessary to fire the LaserStar at an angle of about 30° to 45° to the seam. Firing the laser at too steep of an angle to the band can result in a hole in the band.

Incorrect Angle	Correct Angle

When welding any thick to thin material, it is necessary to favor the thick material. For instance, in the case of welding a bar to a band, aim the cross hair slightly on the bar. The bulk of the laser energy will be absorbed by the thicker material (the bar). If the parameters are correct, the heat transfer will weld the band to the bar without bursting a hole in the band.