Comparison between laser-welded and traditional welded keys

[Squelchtone]

Hi, I am a beginner here and hope my 1st post won’t be a very bad question.

I was just back from the MLA expo held in the UK, and found more and more keys are being replaced to laser-welded, instead of using the way of traditional welded. The reason they told me is that the welded joint is flat and it makes easier to use while doing key duplicates.

I didn’t notice the difference before I heard of this. Do you also experience the difference? Thanks.

Photos:
https://m.imgur.com/a/59Ou4Ut

[GWiens2001]

I have noticed the difference. Did not know it was being done with a laser, but it makes sense.

My belief for why they would change is three fold. First, it is cheaper. Second, it looks like a cleaner weld. And third, it would be cheaper. Businesses and manufacturers like it a lot when the first and third reasons are involved.

As for strength of the weld, I suspect the traditional weld would be stronger due to the extra metal at the base of the weld. But I could well be wrong. Especially since I am not a welder, and therefore not qualified to make an educated statement on weld strengths. I would like to hear what welders here think.

Gordon

[demux]

As for strength of the weld, I suspect the traditional weld would be stronger due to the extra metal at the base of the weld. But I could well be wrong. Especially since I am not a welder, and therefore not qualified to make an educated statement on weld strengths. I would like to hear what welders here think.

Gordon

I've done a bit of welding (though I am by no means an expert or a tradesman in that craft), and as I understand it weld strength has a lot more to do with penetration than with what material may or may not be left above the surface. If they can get good weld penetration into the base with the laser, I would not think it would compromise the strength, at least not to any significant degree.