A sheet metal part seldom occurs alone. It is almost always combined with other parts to become a component that can fulfill a function. And even when it consists of only one part, there are often places on it to which other parts must be joined. For instance, housings or holders are connected to the edges. In this process, the diversity of sheet metal is displayed from a very different angle. Because of the many different material gauges and types, there is a choice among many different bonding methods. Among these are the methods that have long been known, such as connecting with screws or rivets, and conventional welding methods like MIG and MAG welding. But there is also the comparatively newer method of laser welding.

Laser welding only arrived as a bonding method in the 70s. Lasers can be very flexibly applied. They can be used to produce fine weld spots of one millimeter in diameter as well as meters-long deep-welded seams. They produce very narrow seam geometries with a large depth to width ratio. Warpage is minimal. An additional advantage: lasers weld at great speed. For this reason, laser welded seams and weld spots are found in a variety of places: cruise ships, ICE trains, car and truck gear parts, air bag sleeves, pacemakers, electronic components, TV picture tubes, and, and, and.