They are similar and can be used side by side in some circumstances but they are not identical.
Electron beam welding vs laser welding.
On the electron beam welding vs laser beam welding debate it is clear there is no clear cut front runner between these two welding methods.
Electron beam will be the primary choice when the completed assembly must be sealed with internal components under vacuum when weld penetrations exceed 1 2 when the material is challenging to initiate laser coupling or.
The generation of a high power electron beam in a vacuum environment accelerating this stream of electrons via high voltage applied between the cathode and anode and then electromagnetically focusing that total power to a very small spot on the piece to be welded.
Electron beam welding ebw and laser beam welding lbw and are both fusion welding techniques that use a high energy density beam to melt the joint of two components.
The first high power density welding systems were electron beam.
But in some cases even that isn t true.
Lower cost to setup than ebw no vacuum or enclosures required can weld virtually any size component not limited by chambers short cycle times.
Electron beam and laser welding are excellent means to fuse metals.
Pros of laser beam welding.
Each method has its pros and cons.
Both methods have fast cycle times and produce high weld quality.
However both eb welding and laser welding processes are versatile flexible and if applied correctly each can make reliable and enduring welds.