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Laser Welding Glossary of Terms

A - D Terms

Active Medical Device - any medical device relying for its functioning on a source of electrical energy or any source of power other than that directly generated by the human body or gravity;
Butt Joint - a laser joint in which two metals are joined together without overlapping.
Cannula(s) - a cannula is a tube which can be inserted into the body, often for the delivery or removal of fluid
Class I Laser - A laser that poses no potential for causing injury to the eye, or is enclosed so as to prevent exposure to the laser beam.
Class II Laser - low-power lasers that don't pose a threat even if directly exposed.
Class III Laser - medium-powered lasers that may cause modest injury if directly exposed. Can require protective eye-wear for safety precautions.
Class IV Laser - High-powered lasers that pose a high risk for personal injury and require specific safety precautions.
Class I Medical Device - these devices present minimal to no harm to individuals and are usually simpler in design from Class II and III devices
Class II Medical Device - are subject to more controls than Class I devices and require special labeling requirements
Class III Medical Device - these devices need pre-market approval and scientific review as well as controls from Class I and II
Clean Room - is an environment that has a low level of environmental pollutants such as dust, airborne microbes, aerosol particles and chemical vapors.
Computer Numerical Control (CNC) - Refers to a machine tool which is operated under automatic control, as opposed to manually by an operator.
Continuous Wave (CW) Laser Welding - one continuous stream of laser energy used to form the weld.

E - M Terms

Glove Box - is a sealed box that is created to allow the manipulation of objects while being in a different atmosphere.
Heat-affected Zone - The portion of the base metal which was not melted during brazing, cutting or welding, but whose microstructure and physical properties were altered by the heat.
Hermetic Sealing - The process by which packages or containers are sealed to protect critical components within from invasion and contamination by the external elements.
Hi-Rel Electronic Packaging - High Reliability Electronic Packaging
ISO 9001:2008 - certification that notes our conformance to quality standards in operations management as it relates to quality control and customer service
Lap Joint - a laser joint in which two metals are joined together by overlapping one end on another.
LASER - an acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation; an optical device that produces an intense monochromatic beam of coherent light
Laser Drilling - the process of repeatedly pulsing focused laser energy at a material, vaporizing layer by layer until a thru-hole is created.
Laser Welding - a welding technique used to join multiple pieces of metal through the use of a laser. The beam provides a concentrated heat source, allowing for narrow, deep welds and high welding rates.
Metal Hardness - the ability for that metal to resist penetration.

N - Z Terms

Nd:YAG - Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet - crystal used in lasers
Pulse Laser Welding - welding with rapid bursts of laser energy to form the weld.
Repeatability – The ability of a machine to perform the same action within a tight tolerance for a given number of times.
RGA - Residual Gas Analysis
YAG - is Yttrium aluminium garnet, which is a crystal used in lasers

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