Oscillations of the keyhole in penetration laser beam welding

Free oscillations of the keyhole in penetration laser beam welding are studied theoretically with regard to characteristic frequencies, damping rates and stability at large amplitudes. The normal modes form a discrete set which may be characterized by axial and azimuthal numbers. Due to viscous damping, only the lowest modes survive many oscillation periods, which yields a limited range of frequencies for the dynamic response of the keyhole to fluctuations of external welding parameters.