Choosing the right welding method is a big decision for Canadian fabricators.
Today, traditional welding methods are still widely used, but laser welding is quickly changing the game.
If you’re wondering which one fits your business better, here’s a full breakdown in plain, easy-to-understand words.
What is Traditional Welding?
Traditional welding methods have been around for more than a century.
Some of the most widely used ones are:
- Arc Welding: Utilises electric current to melt and fuse metals.
- Gas Welding (Oxy-fuel Welding): Combusts fuel gases to produce heat for welding.
- TIG and MIG Welding: Used in all forms of metalwork, employing electric arcs and filler materials.
These are tried-and-tested processes, still employed extensively throughout Canada—from small repair shops to massive factories.
What is Laser Welding?
Laser welding is a newer process. Rather than electric arcs or flame, it heats and joins metals with a concentrated laser beam.
Key features:
- Extremely accurate
- Little heat away from the weld
- Perfect for fine or intricate work
While newer, laser welding is quickly finding application in aerospace, automotive, and medical device production throughout Canada.
Comparing the Two: Key Differences
Let’s compare the most significant areas in which laser welding and traditional welding differ.
1. Speed
- Traditional Welding: A bit slower, especially when working with complex or complicated joints.
- Laser Welding: Much faster. It welds metal in seconds and saves a lot of production time.
2. Accuracy
- Traditional Welding: Good, but leaves larger weld seams in some cases that need extra finishing.
- Laser Welding: Highly precise. Generates clean, almost invisible weld lines.
3. Heat Effects
- Traditional Welding: Affects a larger area, which can weaken the rest of the material.
- Laser Welding: Focused heat is very tightly focused, protecting the rest of the material.
4. Equipment Cost
- Traditional Welding: Low initial cost. Entry-level equipment costs from a few thousand dollars.
- Laser Welding: High initial cost. Equipment costs tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.
5. Material Options
- Traditional Welding: Works well with a large majority of metals but not ideal for some of the new high-tech alloys.
- Laser Welding: It can work on more types of metal, thin, or finicky materials.
Why More Canadian Fabricators Are Turning to Laser Welding
Laser welding isn’t a frill addition—it delivers real business benefits:
- Improved productivity: Speedy jobs translate to more jobs on the schedule.
- Enhanced quality: Tidy welds translate to fewer defects, less rework, and better-cared-for customers.
- Lower long-term costs: Less waste of material and less cleanup post-weld.
Especially in the high-growth industries of electric vehicles, shipbuilding, and renewable energy, laser welding gives Canadian fabricators a competitive cutting edge.
Where Traditional Welding Still Shines
Laser welding is not the answer to every job.
There are times when old-school methods still dominate:
- Repair Work: For rough or outdoor conditions, arc welding is effective and versatile.
- Thicker Materials: Thicker steel sections might still need old-school welding brawn.
- Budget Constraints: For small shops, old-school welding machines are much cheaper.
In most cases, Canadian fabricators choose to use both methods, depending on the job.
Training and Skills: What Fabricators Should Know
A key benefit of laser over traditional welding is the need for skill sets.
- Conventional Welding: Demands hands-on ability, skill at heat control, and know-how in terms of weld practice.
- Laser Welding: Demands technical ability, i.e., skill in computer-controlled automated systems and configuration settings.
It’s now standard practice in Canadian training schools and colleges for short-term training courses in laser welding technology—a wise career move for future welders eager to remain up-to-date.
Investment Consideration
Switching to laser welding must be planned.
Fabricators need to consider:
- Project Volume: Is there enough business to justify the investment?
- Material Types: Are you working with materials that can benefit from laser precision?
- Workforce Skills: Will your employees need new training?
- Industry Trends: Are your clients moving towards higher quality that laser welding can produce?
More often than not, larger manufacturers are the early adopters.
However, as the costs come down, even smaller and mid-sized shops across Canada are starting to adopt laser welding.
Growth Potential for Welding in Canada
The Canadian welding market will continue to grow steadily through 2030, driven by:
- Electrical vehicle production
- Infrastructure rebuilding
- Clean energy innovation
- Expansion of aerospace
Laser welding will be a key factor in this expansion, especially as businesses need faster, cleaner, and greener production means.
Traditional welding will still have its place, but producers who understand and commit to laser welding will capture a substantial portion of the marketplace of the future.
Final Thoughts: Let the Right Tool Do the Work
There’s no single, answer-to-all question regarding the “laser vs traditional” problem.
The ultimate secret is versatility.
Canadian welders who:
- Know both processes
- Invest in training and good equipment
- Have their ear close to the needs of the clients
will find themselves well-armed for sustainable success.
Laser welding produces phenomenal accuracy, speed, and quality—great for high-technology and high-demand markets.
Traditional welding, with flexibility and cost, still works nicely for most tasks.
The genius choice?
Know when to use each tool—and when to find a trusted welding shop near me.
