Industrial Laser Solutions is Australia and New Zealand's authorised IPG LightWELD supplier. Handheld fibre laser welding and cleaning systems — faster, easier to learn, and exceptional quality across a wide range of metals.
Every LightWELD system is built on industrial fibre laser technology, manufactured in the USA by IPG Photonics. Supplied, serviced, and supported across Australia and New Zealand by Industrial Laser Solutions.
| Laser Power | 1,000 W |
| Max Penetration (Steel) | 4 mm |
| Duty Cycle | 100% at full power |
| Gun Cable | 10 m |
| Presets | 75+ |
| Cleaning | Post-weld |
| Wobble Welding | Up to 5 mm |
| Laser Power | Up to 1,500 W |
| Peak Cleaning Power | Up to 2,500 W |
| Steel / Al 3&5 Series | Up to 6.35 mm |
| Aluminium 6 Series | Up to 3 mm |
| Titanium & Nickel | Up to 5 mm |
| Copper | Up to 2 mm |
| Cleaning Width | Up to 15 mm |
| Preset Modes | 74 |
| Power Supply | 220V, 24A |
| Weight | 53 kg |
| Laser Power | Up to 1,500 W |
| Peak Power | Up to 2,500 W |
| Max Penetration (Steel/Al) | 4 mm |
| Max Penetration (Copper) | 1 mm |
| Cleaning Width | Up to 15 mm |
| Gun Cable | 5 m or 10 m |
| Preset Modes | 74 |
| Power Supply | 220V, 24A |
| Weight | 53 kg |
| Laser Power | Up to 2,000 W |
| Peak Pulse Power | Up to 3,000 W |
| Steel / Al 3&5 Series | Up to 8 mm |
| Aluminium 6 Series | Up to 5 mm |
| Titanium & Nickel | Up to 7 mm |
| Copper | Up to 3 mm |
| Cleaning Width | Up to 15 mm |
| Preset Modes | 100 |
| Power Supply | 220V, 33A |
| Weight | 60 kg |
Australian buyers are seeing cheap Chinese laser welders advertised at $5,000–$18,000. Here is what you actually need to know before making a decision that will affect your production for the next 5–10 years.
Our position: A cheap Chinese laser welder will weld metal. For a home hobbyist or very low-volume workshop it may be adequate. But for a business where the machine must run reliably every day, comply with Australian electrical safety standards, and where downtime costs real money — the comparison looks very different. Here is the full breakdown.
Built on IPG Photonics' own fibre laser source — the same technology used in automotive and aerospace manufacturing worldwide. Beam quality M² ≤ 1.1. Stable, consistent output over the machine's full service life. 100% duty cycle rated at full power.
Typically use Raycus, Max or JPT laser sources — quality varies enormously between models and batches. The laser source is the component most likely to degrade under sustained industrial use and the most expensive to replace.
Manufactured in the USA to international standards. Fully compliant with AS3820 — Australia's basic electrical safety standard. Tested and certified before leaving the factory. Your insurance and WHS compliance depend on using equipment that meets Australian standards.
Many cheap Chinese laser welders do NOT meet AS3820. A well-documented issue: some use Raycus laser sources with water cooling connectors positioned directly above mains voltage — a serious electrical safety violation that can void insurance and create WHS liability.
100% duty cycle at full rated power. Designed for all-day industrial use. No thermal throttling, no forced rest periods. Built for the demands of serious manufacturing — including Australian summer conditions where workshop temperatures exceed 40°C.
Many air-cooled Chinese units have undersized fans and inadequate heat transfer. In hot Australian workshop conditions some units overheat and shut down mid-job. Many are rated at 60–80% duty cycle — meaning they must rest for 20–40% of every working hour.
Industrial Laser Solutions is in Hallam, Victoria. Australian phone, Australian technicians, parts on the ground in Australia. When your machine goes down mid-job, you call a local number and speak to someone who understands your situation — not a chatbot in a different time zone.
Support is typically remote via email or video call to China, across significant time zone differences. Parts must be shipped internationally, adding days or weeks of downtime. For a production-critical machine this is a serious operational risk that the sticker price does not reflect.
100+ factory-developed presets for specific material and thickness combinations — built by IPG's welding engineers using real production data. Operators weld to a professional standard from day one. The preset system is what makes LightWELD 4× faster, not just raw laser power.
Presets exist but are often generic and poorly calibrated. Operators spend significant time dialling in parameters for each new material — eroding the productivity advantage. Parameter guides are frequently poorly translated and don't account for Australian material grades and standards.
Higher purchase price, lower total cost over 5 years. Consistent uptime means more billable hours. Lower consumable costs. No international freight on parts. Training included. Australian warranty. When you calculate cost-per-weld over 5 years including downtime, the gap closes significantly.
Lower purchase price — but factor in international shipping on parts, downtime costs, potential AS3820 compliance issues, productivity lost to poor presets, and the real cost of a machine needing replacement in 3 years instead of 8. The sticker price is only part of the story.
| Feature | IPG LightWELD | Cheap Chinese Welders |
|---|---|---|
| Laser Source | IPG Photonics — own fibre laser, M² ≤ 1.1 | Raycus / Max / JPT — variable quality |
| AS3820 Compliant | ✔ Yes — fully compliant | ✘ Many are NOT compliant |
| Duty Cycle | 100% at full rated power | Often 60–80% — must rest regularly |
| Made In | USA — IPG's own factory, Oxford MA | China — various OEM factories |
| Presets | 100+ engineer-optimised presets | Generic presets, often poorly calibrated |
| Australian Support | ✔ Local — Hallam VIC, same-day response | ✘ Remote — China time zone, days delay |
| Parts Availability | In stock in Australia | International freight — 1–4 weeks |
| Training | Included — hands-on, in Australia | PDF and video link only |
| Laser Safety Guidance | ✔ ILS acknowledged in Weld Australia TGN-SW02 | ✘ None provided |
| Typical Service Life | 8–10+ years industrial use | 2–4 years before major repair |
| Purchase Price (AUD) | Higher upfront | $5,000–$18,000 — lower upfront |
If your business depends on the machine working every day, if you need to meet Australian workplace safety standards, and if downtime costs you real money — LightWELD is the right choice. We will always give you the honest answer when you call.
Both are eXtended Range systems with integrated welding and cleaning. The key difference is power, penetration depth, and the materials you need to weld.
The right choice for most fabrication shops, auto body, piping, and maintenance operations. Full XR extended-range features at a lower power level and price point. Standard 24A single-phase supply.
| Laser Power | 1,500 W |
| Steel / Stainless | Up to 6.35 mm |
| Aluminium 3 & 5 Series | Up to 6.35 mm |
| Titanium & Nickel | Up to 5 mm |
| Copper | Up to 2 mm |
| Power Supply | 220V, 24A |
| Preset Modes | 74 |
The most powerful LightWELD. 33% more continuous power, 3,000W peak pulse. Handles the thickest materials — steel, aluminium, titanium, nickel alloys, and copper at significantly greater depths.
| Laser Power | 2,000 W |
| Steel / Stainless | Up to 8 mm (+26%) |
| Aluminium 3 & 5 Series | Up to 8 mm |
| Titanium & Nickel | Up to 7 mm |
| Copper | Up to 3 mm |
| Power Supply | 220V, 33A |
| Preset Modes | 100 |
| Specification | LightWELD 1500 XR | LightWELD 2000 XR |
|---|---|---|
| Laser Power | Up to 1,500 W | Up to 2,000 W |
| Peak Pulse Power | Up to 2,500 W | Up to 3,000 W |
| Steel & Stainless | Up to 6.35 mm | Up to 8 mm |
| Aluminium 3 & 5 Series | Up to 6.35 mm | Up to 8 mm |
| Aluminium 6 Series | Up to 3 mm | Up to 5 mm |
| Titanium & Nickel Alloys | Up to 5 mm | Up to 7 mm |
| Copper | Up to 2 mm | Up to 3 mm |
| Cleaning Width | Up to 15 mm | Up to 15 mm |
| Preset Modes | 74 | 100 |
| Power Supply | 220V, 24A | 220V, 33A |
| Weight | 53 kg | 60 kg |
| Integrated Cleaning | ✔ Pre & Post-weld | ✔ Pre & Post-weld |
Consistent, high-quality results across materials and thicknesses — from pipe welding to thin-sheet fabrication.
From your first weld to your thousandth, LightWELD delivers consistency, speed, and quality that traditional methods can't match.
Jobs that took hours are done in minutes. Dramatically increase throughput so your team takes on more work, more profitably — with the same headcount.
Highly focused heat input means virtually no warping — even on thin sheet metal and heat-sensitive materials. Less rework, better finished quality.
100+ optimised presets mean beginners produce professional welds from day one. Less training time, lower skill barriers, consistent quality across your team.
XC and XR models include integrated pre- and post-weld laser cleaning. Swap the nozzle in seconds — no chemicals, no grinding, no extra equipment required.
Steel, aluminium, copper, titanium, dissimilar metals — switch without changing polarity or electrodes. Select your preset and weld. No setup time lost.
Class IV with key switch, E-stop, 2-step trigger, fibre laser interlock, and part contact sensor. Full PPE kit included. AS3820 compliant.
Switching materials takes seconds — no polarity changes, no electrode swaps. Select your preset and weld.
Up to 8mm on 2000 XR. Deep penetration — ideal for structural and fabrication work.
Up to 8mm. Integrated cleaning passivates welds quickly — no chemicals needed.
Virtually eliminates distortion. 5052, 6061, 6063, 7075, and 1xxx–3xxx alloys.
Up to 3mm on 2000 XR. Ideal where TIG and MIG struggle with heat management.
Up to 7mm. Precision welding with minimal heat input — aerospace-grade results.
Laser brazing skips zinc removal — dramatically reducing hazardous fume generation.
Up to 7mm. High-temperature alloys welded with precision and repeatability.
Weld different metals and thicknesses together — a task conventional welding struggles with.
Laser welding's day-to-day running costs are typically lower than arc welding across the board.
Laser welding uses up to 10× Less filler wire than MIG or TIG — without reducing weld strength.
For most applications, cheaper nitrogen shielding gas replaces expensive argon — reducing consumable spend significantly.
Laser torch consumables cost approximately ½ as Much as MIG torch consumables per year.
Minimal spatter and no excess material means approximately 6 hrs less finishing work per week.
LightWELD includes comprehensive built-in safety features. We also help you understand your regulatory obligations — which vary by state and territory.
Every LightWELD is a Class IV laser with multiple engineered safety controls as standard:
Per Weld Australia TGN-SW02 and AS/NZS IEC 60825.14, operators must wear:
Source: ILS Regulatory Brief, March 2026. Not legal advice.
| State | Key Requirements |
|---|---|
| VIC (OHS) | General OHS duties & plant compliance. No laser-specific licence. |
| NSW (WHS) | General WHS duties. Clause 223 restricts Class 3B/4 in construction. |
| QLD (WHS) | General WHS duties. Industrial laser rules limited to medical lasers. |
| SA (WHS) | General WHS duties apply. |
| WA (WHS + Radiation) | Most prescriptive. Licensing, Class 3B/4 registration, prescribed controls required under Radiation Safety Act 1975. |
| TAS (WHS + Radiation) | Radiation Protection Act 2005 applies. Licence and premises registration required. |
| ACT / NT (WHS) | General WHS duties. No industrial laser-specific licensing. |
| New Zealand | HSWA 2015 applies. General risk management duties. No standalone laser operator licence. |
⚠ Class 3B and 4 lasers are generally prohibited in construction work under WHS Regulation clause 223 across all harmonised Australian jurisdictions.
Cameron Jamieson of Industrial Laser Solutions is formally acknowledged in Weld Australia's 2024 Technical Guidance Note on Laser Safety (TGN-SW02) — the authoritative national reference for laser safety in welding and cleaning operations in Australia.
Key standards: AS/NZS IEC 60825.1 (equipment classification) and AS/NZS IEC 60825.14 (user guidance and control measures).
weldaustralia.com.au →Datasheets, safety guidance, and regulatory information — all downloadable. No registration required.
Full technical specifications, welding capability, power requirements, included accessories, and safety features for the LightWELD 1500 XC Handheld Laser Welding & Cleaning System.
↓ Download PDFFull technical specifications for the LightWELD 1500 XR eXtended Range system — welding capability, cleaning specifications, wire feeder options, safety features, and accessories.
↓ Download PDFFull technical specifications for the LightWELD 2000 XR — 2,000W maximum power, 3,000W peak pulse, material thickness capability, safety features, dimensions, and weight.
↓ Download PDFILS Regulatory Brief (March 2026): Australian legal and regulatory requirements for laser welding and cleaning by state and territory — WHS/OHS frameworks, AS3820 compliance, WA & TAS radiation licensing.
↓ Download PDFThe authoritative Australian Technical Guidance Note on Laser Safety (2024 edition). Covers classification, beam hazards, PPE requirements, control measures, and Laser Safety Officer duties. Cameron Jamieson of ILS is acknowledged in this publication.
↓ Download PDFUser manuals, welding & cleaning mode charts, safety support videos, and frequently asked questions are available directly from IPG LightWELD's official resources page.
Visit lightweld.com →How LightWELD stacks up against traditional welding methods across the metrics that matter most.
| Feature | LightWELD Laser | MIG Welding | TIG Welding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welding Speed | Up to 4× faster | Moderate | Slow |
| Learning Curve | Hours (preset-guided) | Days–weeks | Months–years |
| Heat Distortion | ✔ Minimal | ✘ High | ✘ Moderate–High |
| Thin Material Control | ✔ Excellent | ✘ Difficult | ✔ Good (skilled only) |
| Integrated Cleaning | ✔ Pre & Post-weld | ✘ None | ✘ None |
| Filler Wire Required | Optional — uses 10× less | Required | Required |
| Annual Consumable Cost | ~½ of MIG per year | High | Moderate |
| Max Steel Penetration | Up to 8mm (2000 XR) | Variable | Variable |
| Dissimilar Metals | ✔ Excellent | ✘ Limited | ✘ Difficult |
| AS3820 Compliant | ✔ Yes (LightWELD) | N/A | N/A |
Free your skilled welders from repetitive jobs. The LightWELD Cobot pairs an ABB GoFa 12 collaborative robot with any LightWELD source — no programming experience required. Teach it in minutes, run it all day.
Delegate repetitive jobs so skilled welders focus on complex, higher-value work. The cobot handles the volume; your team handles the craft.
Repeat welds faster, scrap fewer parts, eliminate rework. Automated laser welding delivers consistent quality every cycle — no fatigue, no variation.
Teach the cobot in minutes using manual guided teaching — no robotics or programming background required. A system that complements operator skills and optimises their time.
| Cobot Model | ABB GoFa 12 — 6-Axis |
| Reach | 1,370mm |
| Repeatability | 0.020mm |
| Max Welding Speed | 200mm/sec |
| Cleaning Width | Up to 15mm |
| Work Surface | 1m × 1.5m |
| Laser Options | 1500 XC · 1500 XR · 2000 XR |
| Steel & Aluminium | Up to 8mm (2000 XR) |
| Programming | Manual teach — no coding |
| Safety | Integrated enclosure option |
Enable manual guidance mode, move the arm through job steps, push a button to set weld positions. No programming. No G-code. No robotics experience required.
Switch between laser welding and pre/post-weld cleaning in seconds. No tool changes. One LightWELD source powers both operations.
Base system, integrated safety enclosure with fume extraction, or the LightWELD Studio modular aluminium wall system. Contact ILS for Australian availability.
Contact ILS to discuss cobot availability, site assessment, and integration for your Australian or NZ facility.
Every Class IV laser welding operation requires a controlled laser area under Australian WHS law. We supply compliant laser safety enclosures — from modular barrier systems to fully engineered 3×3m welding rooms — designed to AS/NZS IEC 60825.14.
Our standard configuration. Fully AS/NZS IEC 60825.14 compliant. Custom dimensions available to suit your facility layout.
Under AS/NZS IEC 60825.14 and Safe Work Australia guidance, all Class IV laser operations must be conducted within a controlled laser area. The welding process must not be visible from outside unless viewed through rated laser-safe glass. A properly engineered enclosure protects your team, satisfies insurance obligations, and ensures WHS compliance — essential before your machine goes into production use.
Understanding the physics behind laser welding helps you get more from your system — and explains why not all handheld laser welders are equal.
LightWELD operates at up to 1+ MW/mm² energy density — 200× higher than arc welding. At this intensity, the laser instantly vaporises the metal surface, creating a vapour keyhole that allows deep penetration with minimal heat spread. The result: narrow welds, small HAZ, virtually no distortion — even on thin sheet.
The galvanometer oscillates the beam during travel. Wobble increases effective weld width (up to 5mm) and improves gap tolerance. The XR's 50µm spot delivers 6× the power density of the XC's 150µm spot — enabling deeper penetration, copper and titanium welding, and higher quality on reflective metals.
IPG's presets are validated for specific material grades, thicknesses, and joint types using real production data from IPG's welding engineers. This is what makes a new operator weld to production quality on day one. Chinese alternatives use generic, poorly-calibrated presets that require significant time to dial in per job.
A peer-reviewed University of Alberta study (ISES 2024, funded by NSERC) compared fume generation rates between Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) and Handheld Laser Beam Welding (LLBW) across six consumable types on mild and stainless steel.
Lower daily fume exposure — LLBW fume generation rates are significantly lower than GMAW across all material types tested.
4–6× faster arc-on time — combined with lower fume rate, total daily exposure is substantially reduced.
Favourable health profile — study concludes LLBW is more favourable from a fume exposure perspective where a choice exists.
Source: Khaligh et al., University of Alberta / Université de Montréal, ISES 2024. NSERC Alliance Grant #ALLRP 577105-22.
Handheld laser welding is now included in major international welding standards. ILS can help you navigate the qualification pathway for structural and code applications.
Everything you need to know before buying a LightWELD in Australia or New Zealand.
The 1500 XR handles steel/aluminium to 6.35mm. The 2000 XR handles up to 8mm, plus heavier titanium (7mm), nickel alloys (7mm), and copper (3mm). It also has 100 preset modes vs 74, and requires a 33A supply vs 24A. Choose the 2000 XR for thicker materials, structural work, aerospace, or defence applications.
Both have 1,500W and integrated cleaning. The XC penetrates steel and aluminium to 4mm. The XR is the eXtended Range version — penetrating to 6.35mm, plus titanium, nickel alloys, and copper at greater depths. The XR also uses a smaller laser spot size delivering 6× the energy density of the XC.
Yes. Industrial Laser Solutions in Hallam, Victoria is an authorised Australian and New Zealand supplier of the full IPG LightWELD range. Cameron Jamieson of ILS is also acknowledged in the 2024 Weld Australia Laser Safety Technical Guidance Note (TGN-SW02). Call (03) 9796 3055.
Yes. We supply and support customers across both Australia and New Zealand. NZ power infrastructure (single-phase 230V) is compatible with all LightWELD systems. Contact us for NZ-specific pricing, freight, and compliance guidance under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
In most states, no standalone laser operator licence is required under WHS/OHS law. However, Western Australia (Radiation Safety Act) and Tasmania (Radiation Protection Act 2005) impose additional radiation licensing requirements. Download the full regulatory guide above or contact us for state-specific guidance.
Yes. LightWELD systems are manufactured in the USA and are fully compliant with AS3820 — Australia's basic electrical safety standard. This is a critical distinction: many cheap Chinese laser welders do not meet AS3820, which can void insurance and create WHS liability. Download the full comparison or call us.
The 1000, 1500 XC, and 1500 XR require 220V single phase, 24A. The 2000 XR requires 220V single phase, 33A. All are compatible with standard Australian and NZ single-phase infrastructure. Confirm your available amperage before selecting a model — upgrading a circuit to 32A is straightforward but adds cost.
Yes. We're based in Hallam, Victoria and can arrange live demonstrations at our facility. We can also bring a demonstration to your site for larger orders. Contact us on (03) 9796 3055 or [email protected] to arrange a time.
Contact our team in Hallam, Victoria to arrange a live demo or discuss the right system for your application — serving Australia and New Zealand.
In my 41 years in the business, I have never seen a welder that allows beginners to make welds like seasoned pros. The learning curve is almost non-existent.
A job that was taking more than 2 hours was done in 11 minutes. The productivity gain has transformed our business and let us take on more work.
Laser welding has opened up a completely new market for us. Customers come to us when conventional welding simply isn't working for them.
Australia and New Zealand's specialist supplier of IPG LightWELD handheld laser welding and cleaning systems. Our team is ready to help you find the right solution and support you every step of the way.
Factory 8/17-23 Keppel Drive
Hallam VIC 3803, Australia
www.lightweld.com.au
www.industriallaser.com.au
We supply & support customers across New Zealand. Contact us for NZ pricing, freight, and compliance guidance.
Monday – Friday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am – 1:00pm
Sunday & Public Holidays: Closed
We respond to all enquiries within 1 business day. Australia & New Zealand welcome.
