Laser Hybrid Welding
The combination of a laser beam and an arc process in a common process zone. It unites the high penetration depth of the laser with the gap-bridging ability of the arc.
In hybrid welding, you combine the laser with an arc. The laser provides deep penetration, the arc brings the necessary fill volume and bridges gaps. So you get a deep weld with good weld shape, and you can travel faster than with either process alone. The advantage is high welding speed and good gap bridging. The disadvantage: it's sensitive. If the parameters aren't precisely matched, you quickly get lack of fusion or an unstable weld. Also, heat input is uneven if you're not welding straight. In practice, this means you have to precisely match the laser focus position and the arc position. The distance between the two processes is the critical point. If you don't hit it, the weld wavers or you get lack of fusion. Start conservatively and work your way up to the right values.