Laser welding of metal parts
We weld with a laser to produce clean, fast joints with lower heat input and reduced distortion on thin or visible parts.
Clean joints · Low distortion
What is laser welding?
Laser welding concentrates energy into a very small area. That has two practical consequences: the bead is narrow and clean, and the heat the surrounding material receives is far lower than with conventional processes.
It solves a recurring problem with thin sheet and visible parts: thermal distortion. A thin part welded with too much heat input bows and loses flatness, and correcting it afterwards costs time and is not always possible. With a laser, the part stays much more stable.
It is the process of choice when the joint has to be visible with a clean finish, or when the part is too thin or too dimensionally demanding for conventional welding.
Materials and thicknesses for laser welding
Metals and sheet thicknesses we work with as standard. If your industrial project needs a material that is not in the table, say so in your enquiry and our engineering office will confirm whether we can handle it.
This service works with the same materials and thicknesses as the rest of the plant. The full table is on the Sheet metal laser cutting page.
CAD file formats accepted for quoting
- DXF
- DWG
- STEP / STP
- STL
- IGS / IGES
- PNG
- JPG
With DXF, DWG or STEP we work straight from your file geometry: no need to redraw the part, and the quote comes back sooner.
We do more than check the drawing: we advise you on nesting (how the sheet is used) so you get the lowest possible price per part before anything is cut.
How our engineering office works
If you would rather not fill in the form, send the drawing straight to cata@catagermans.com.
Confidential handling. Your drawings are only used to prepare the technical assessment and are not shared with third parties. If you need a signed non-disclosure agreement, send it over.
Technical capabilities for laser welding
| Characteristics | Narrow bead, reduced heat input and less distortion |
|---|---|
| Suited to | Thin sheet, visible parts and dimensionally demanding assemblies |
| Finish | A clean joint that needs less rework afterwards |
Applications and types of custom metal parts
- Visible joints where the appearance of the bead matters.
- Thin sheet parts sensitive to thermal distortion.
- Assemblies that must stay flat after welding.
- Joints that need little rework before polishing.
Sectors we manufacture for
We manufacture for industrial companies across very different sectors. These are some of the most common ones, but not the only ones: if yours is not listed, tell us about the part and we will confirm whether we can make it.
- Automotive
- Food industry (stainless steel)
- Agricultural machinery
- Construction
- Steel structures
- Energy
- Street furniture
Why work with Catà Germans
- Every process under one roof
- Cutting, forming, machining, welding and finishing in the same plant. We handle the whole logistics side so you receive the parts palletised and protected at your own factory, anywhere in Catalonia and the surrounding area, on the agreed lead time.
- In-house engineering office
- We review the drawing before manufacturing and prepare production from CAD/CAM. If something does not add up, we ask you instead of interpreting it ourselves. And if what you have is a sketch or a question, we will help with that too: advice is part of the service.
- From drawing to finished product
- Some finishes, such as painting or zinc plating, are done with specialist workshops. We handle the coordination and deliver with our own fleet: a single order and a part ready to fit.
- Raw material in stock
- We keep sheet and tube permanently in stock, so many standard jobs can start without waiting for material.
- Over 65 years of the trade
- A family business founded in 1958, specialised in industrial subcontracting of metal parts. You deal directly with the people who make the part.
Frequently asked questions
01Laser welding
What is laser welding?
It is a process that concentrates energy in a very small area. The bead is narrow and clean, and the heat reaching the part around the joint is much lower than with conventional processes.
What are its advantages?
- Narrow, clean bead
- Low heat input
- Less distortion of the part
- Less rework afterwards
Which parts is it suited to?
- Visible joints where the bead finish matters
- Thin sheet prone to heat distortion
- Assemblies that must stay flat after welding
- Joints that need little rework before polishing
02Laser or conventional welding
When is laser welding better than MIG or TIG?
Mainly when distortion is a problem — thin sheet, long parts, tight dimensions — or when the joint is visible and a clean bead matters.
When is a conventional process better?
For thicker material or structural joints, conventional processes remain the benchmark. Because we do both in the same plant, we choose the right one for each joint.
What thicknesses can you laser weld?
It depends on the material and the thickness of the part. Send us the drawing and we will confirm when we reply to your request.
03Finish and flatness
Why does the part distort less?
A thin part welded with too much heat bows and loses flatness, and recovering it takes time and is not always possible. With the laser the heat is concentrated at the joint and the part stays much more stable.
Does the joint need reworking afterwards?
Less than with a conventional process, but it depends on the finish the part needs. If it has to be completely blended out, polishing is still the final step.
04Engineering office and confidentiality
Does my file need redrawing to quote for laser welding?
No. With DXF, DWG or STEP we work directly on the geometry in your file: the part does not need redrawing and the quote comes back sooner. We work mainly with SolidWorks and AutoCAD, among other CAD and CAM tools.
Are my drawings treated confidentially?
Yes. Drawings are used only to prepare the technical assessment and are not shared with third parties. If you need a signed confidentiality agreement, you can send it to us.
What if I only have a sketch or a technical question?
Send us a dimensioned sketch or tell us what you need. Our engineering office reviews it, asks whatever it needs to and, if necessary, helps you define the part: advice is part of the service, for metalworkers and small workshops too.
05Process, lead times and delivery
What happens after I send my request?
- Enquiry: you send the drawing, material, thickness, quantity and deadline
- Review by our engineering office and manufacturing plan
- Quote and confirmation, with alternatives where there are any
- Manufacturing within the same plant
- Inspection, packing and delivery
What lead time does a laser welding order have?
It depends on the part, the quantity and the other processes involved. In the quote request you can choose a 24/48 h urgent service (with a surcharge), about one week, a flexible deadline or a specific date, and we confirm it with the quote.
Do you have to wait for material before starting?
For many routine orders, no. We keep sheet and tube in permanent stock, so manufacturing can start without waiting for material.
Can you deliver the parts to our factory?
Yes, with our own fleet. We prepare the load and deliver the parts palletised and protected to the agreed point. We usually serve the provinces of Tarragona and Barcelona, and look at other destinations case by case.
06Sectors and experience
Which sectors do you provide laser welding for?
We manufacture for industrial companies in very different sectors. Some of the most common:
- Automotive
- Food industry (stainless steel)
- Agricultural machinery
- Construction
- Structural steelwork
- Energy
- Street furniture
It is especially useful for visible and thin-sheet parts, such as stainless steel for the food sector or furniture components. If your sector is not listed, tell us about the part and we will confirm whether we can make it.
Why choose Catà Germans for laser welding?
We are a family company founded in 1958, with more than 65 years in industrial subcontracting of metal parts.
- Every process under one roof: cutting, forming, machining, welding and finishing
- Our own engineering office, which reviews the drawing before manufacturing
- Direct contact with the people who make the part
- One order and one point of contact, right through to delivery
07Quotes, files and orders
Which file formats do you accept?
We accept PDF, DXF, DWG, STEP/STP, STL, IGS/IGES and also PNG or JPG images. If you do not have a final drawing yet, send us a dimensioned sketch and we will review it all the same.
Do you make one-off parts or only production runs?
We handle one-off parts and prototypes as well as small, medium and large batches and repeat production. You can specify this in the quote request.
How quickly do you reply to an enquiry?
We send the technical response as soon as possible once we have the drawing and the part details.
Do you offer painting, zinc plating or other surface finishes?
You can include them in the order. These finishes are carried out with specialist workshops we work with regularly, but we handle the coordination and the transport: you place a single order and receive the finished part.
Can I combine several processes in one part?
Yes — that is the normal way we work. A part can go through laser cutting, bending, welding and finishing inside the same plant, under a single order and a single point of contact.
Request information or a quote
Send us the drawing and the part details and we will come back with a technical answer as soon as possible.
Reply as soon as possible