Plume aspects and penetration shape with inclined YAG laser beams

Nd:YAG laser light beams from three oscillators were separately condensed and then combined at a processing point to enhance the processing ability of the laser system. In this system one or more laser beams must be inclined. An inclined laser beam forms an inclined plume and an inclined penetration under conditions of high laser peak power and high energy input (region I). From the direction and size of the plume, the penetration of a weld bead can be evaluated. In the case of two or three laser beam combinations, keyholes exist for each laser beam separately in region I.