Welding technology is a crucial aspect of shipbuilding. Recently, Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), obtained certifications from ABS, BV, CCS, and LR for its laser hybrid welding technology. This technology has entered trial production in the thin plate flat section production line of its Manufacturing Division. This significant achievement marks a solid step forward for the company in the field of efficient welding technology.
Laser hybrid welding technology, with its unique advantages in efficiency, cost, and quality, is gradually becoming the preferred green welding technology for shipyards. To further establish a new foundation for intelligent manufacturing productivity, Hudong-Zhonghua is promoting the application of laser hybrid welding technology on the thin plate flat section production line in the integrated workshop of its Eastern Plant.
It is understood that laser hybrid welding has the inherent advantage of low stress, making it particularly effective in controlling deformation in thin plate welding, fundamentally solving the issue of uneven section manufacturing. The welding technology team at Hudong-Zhonghua first encountered laser hybrid welding technology, facing numerous challenges during process debugging, testing, and review.
Extensive preliminary experiments were conducted, with over 100 tons of test plates used during debugging process. The welding procedure qualification test for plates with a thickness of 6-8 mm underwent strict evaluation and inspection, with all indicators such as welding speed, weld morphology, and mechanical properties meeting the expected results, successfully passing the classification societys’ on-site acceptance.
Building on the successful application of laser hybrid welding technology, the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding welding technology team is now intensively tackling the technical challenges of welding 4 mm and 10 mm plates. This effort aims to further expand the application range of laser hybrid welding technology and provide higher quality welding solutions, supporting the company’s high-quality development.