When welding thinner materials, such as sheet metal or the nickel sheets used in lithium battery tabs, traditional laser welding can produce significant thermal stress, leading to structural deformation or damage. Galvanometer laser welding machines often offer superior welding results due to their shorter processing times. The operating principle of a galvanometer laser welder is similar to that of a
Laser Marking Machine. A scanning galvanometer rapidly deflects the laser beam, melting smaller volumes of material like tin in a fraction of the time, resulting in finer welds. To maintain laser energy density, a focusing field lens (F-Theta lens) with a shorter focal length is typically required. Therefore, specialized motion control systems are often used to control servo motors to move the module, expanding the available scanning range. Rotating or tilting fixtures can also be used to automate the welding of specialized shapes, such as cones. For example, when welding individual cells and tabs in energy storage or power lithium battery packs, galvanometer laser welders are more than twice as efficient as laser welders, and the difference is even greater when welding entire battery packs.