Laser fantasy: From machining to welding

Previously, the profiles of laser-drilled holes and laser-produced welds were often considered independently. In this paper, the model used to predict the profile-of-drill, based on the concept of threshold intensity, has been extended to apply to deep-penetration laser welding. The common ground for laser-drilling and -welding, as well as their divergences, are discussed. The present model making use of the laws of Gaussian optics, thus forms the basis of an alternative approach to the prediction of the profile of keyholds and, eventually, the profile of laser-processed welds.