The laser welding cost calculator compares handheld laser welding with TIG and MIG welding on your own parts. Enter weld length, volume, wages and process data; it returns the cost per part and per meter of weld for each process, the yearly saving and how quickly a laser welder pays for itself.
| Handheld laser welding | TIG welding | MIG welding | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welding speed | |||
| Grinding and finishingPost-weld cleanup per length of weld | |||
| Shielding gas flow | |||
| Filler wire used0 for autogenous welding | |||
| Power draw | kW | kW | kW |
| Equipment price | $ | $ | $ |
| Laser | TIG | MIG |
|---|
See Arcus CNC handheld and automated laser welding machines, or send us sample parts to measure laser welding speed on your own joints.
How the comparison works
For each process the calculator adds up the welder's time, the finishing time after welding, and the running costs while the torch or beam is on.
Depreciation is the equipment price spread over the write-off years and the welding hours per year. Payback compares the laser welder's price with the yearly saving against your current process.
Where laser welding saves money
- Speed: on thin stainless and carbon steel, handheld laser welding typically runs several times faster than TIG.
- Finishing: the narrow heat-affected zone causes little discoloration and distortion, so grinding, polishing and straightening shrink or disappear.
- Skill: operators reach consistent quality faster than with manual TIG.
- Filler: many joints are welded without wire.
Laser welding is less suited to wide gaps, very thick sections in a single pass and poorly fitted parts. MIG remains efficient for heavy structural welds.
How to measure your own values
- Time a welder on a typical part with a stopwatch and divide the weld length by the arc-on time to get the welding speed.
- Time the grinding and polishing on the same part and divide by the weld length.
- Read the gas flow from the flowmeter and the wire use from spool consumption over a week.
Frequently asked questions
Is laser welding cheaper than TIG?
Per meter of weld it usually is on thin sheet, mainly because it is faster and needs less finishing. The higher equipment price is recovered through labor savings; the calculator shows how quickly at your volume.
What shielding gas does a handheld laser welder use?
Argon or nitrogen, typically 10–20 L/min. Nitrogen is cheaper and works well on stainless steel; argon is preferred for aluminum and titanium.
Why are the default speeds only examples?
Welding speed depends on material, thickness, joint type, fit-up and the welder. Use your own timed measurements for a reliable result.