4. Electron beam/laser comparison

Although different in nature, but with similar, if not identical, effects, the FE and laser processes need to be compared in their implementation (figure 17 and table 5 ).

• Complementarity

  The power parameter (weld thickness) primarily determines the respective ranges of each process:

  • FE: the range extends from a few kilowatts to 100 kW, i.e. it enables welds to be made in thicknesses ranging from very small to the 10 cm encountered in heavy boilermaking (nuclear, for example). Conventional machines range in power from 5-10 to 30 kW. The cost of the power is only part of the total cost of the installation, which is more...