laswerk

Laswerk is the Dutch term for welding work. It refers to the permanent joining of metal parts by coalescence, typically achieved by heating the materials until they melt and fuse, sometimes with filler material. The field encompasses a range of production and fabrication activities, from manual welding performed by skilled welders to automated welding in high‑volume manufacturing. Laswerk is used in industries such as construction, shipbuilding, automotive, machinery, and metal fabrication.

Common welding processes included under laswerk are arc welding methods such as SMAW (stick), MIG/MAG (GMAW), and TIG (GTAW); FCAW (flux-cored arc welding); as well as laser welding, plasma arc welding, and resistance welding. Some welding work may involve advanced multi-process cells, robotic welding, and underwater or out‑of‑position operations in specialized settings. The choice of process depends on material type, thickness, joint design, production rates, and required mechanical properties.

Due to hazards such as burns, ultraviolet radiation, fumes, and electric shock, laswerk requires appropriate personal protective equipment, ventilation, and training. Certification and quality assurance are common, with standards such as ISO 9606 for welder qualification and ISO 3834 for fusion welding quality, along with project‑specific procedures and national regulations.

The term laswerk derives from the Dutch lassen (to weld) and werk (work). Welding as a discipline emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the development of electric arc and gas welding, and has since evolved into highly automated and robotized production, featuring a wide range of processes and materials.