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Laser Welders

QCW Laser Welder — Tabletop / Handheld Combination

For welding small to medium channel letters

The world's first easy conversion between tabletop and handheld

A QCW fiber laser welder that changes between tabletop and handheld use for aluminum and stainless steel channel letters, with installation and training.

  • 300W QCW delivers peak pulse power up to 3,000W
  • Pulse laser beam: ideal for narrow channel letter strokes
  • Minimized heat-affected zone (HAZ)
  • The QCW laser welder can weld aluminum ranging from 0.020" to 0.063", also a face thickness of 0.080" plus a return thickness of 0.063", and stainless steel up to 0.040".
  • Easy to convert between tabletop and handheld use
  • Includes 3-4 hours of qualified operator training, with process-control and laser-safety responsibilities emphasized
Download spec sheet (PDF)

See it in action

QCW fiber laser tabletop / handheld welder demo

Combination of tabletop and handheld

The best solution for small to medium channel letters

The world's first

The Ascent QCW changes between tabletop and handheld configurations. At the bench, the operator can fixture small channel letters for controlled, repeatable welds; in handheld mode, the same machine can handle work that does not fit the tabletop setup. It welds aluminum sheet from 0.020" to 0.063" thick, with faces up to 0.080" and returns up to 0.063", plus stainless steel up to 0.040" thick.

From the creative mind of Ascent engineers comes this laser welding machine for sign making, replacing the YAG laser — a laser welder for stainless steel letters as well as aluminum, galvanized steel, and brass.

Ascent technicians provide 3-4 hours of qualified training, enabling operators without prior aluminum welding experience to weld very thin aluminum materials. Operators remain responsible for completing required training, following approved process controls, and complying with all laser-safety requirements.

QCW (Quasi-Continuous Wave) laser welding is a technique that utilizes a high-peak-power laser to weld materials using short pulses. This method offers several advantages, including a minimized heat-affected zone and greater flexibility compared to continuous wave (CW) laser welding. QCW can deliver peak pulse power up to roughly ten times its average power — 300 W will produce pulse power up to 3,000 W.

Advantages of QCW laser welding

  • 300W QCW delivers peak pulse power up to 3,000W — a true channel letter spot welder for precise, narrow joints.
  • Features a pulse laser beam, ideal for the narrow strokes of channel letters.

Minimized heat-affected zone (HAZ)

QCW lasers deliver energy in pulses, allowing the material to cool between pulses. This approach reduces thermal input and minimizes the heat-affected zone. Suitable for thin materials.

As a pulsed laser welder for thin aluminum, the reduced thermal input makes QCW welding ideal for thin materials, where excessive heat can cause distortion or damage. It is suitable for aluminum from 0.020" to 0.063" thick — including face thicknesses up to 0.080" and return thicknesses up to 0.063" — and stainless steel up to 0.040". Additionally, it can be used with painted coils.

Skills: Achieving optimal results with QCW laser welding can be mastered quickly.

A closer look

QCW fiber laser tabletop / handheld combination welder
QCW fiber laser welder in tabletop configuration
Tooling device that locates and aligns workpieces for QCW laser welding
Frequently asked

Common questions about this equipment

What does the price include? Are there hidden fees?
At Ascent Equipment, our pricing is completely transparent. The quoted price includes everything needed for operation — no add-ons, hidden fees, or extra charges. The only additional cost is freight. Included: on-site setup with professional installation and comprehensive team training; a full 1-year comprehensive parts-and-labor warranty; ongoing software updates at no additional cost; lifetime remote diagnostics and assistance; AnyDesk Remote Desktop Software pre-installed for rapid-response remote assistance and retraining. With technicians strategically located in Buffalo, Toronto, and Kentucky, help is always nearby.
What is your warranty?
Ascent QCW tabletop laser welders include a 1-year comprehensive parts-and-labor warranty.
What is unique about the Ascent tabletop laser welder compared to others in the industry?
If you are searching for a QCW laser welder for sale, Ascent is the only company in the industry with a QCW tabletop laser welder that can weld small to medium channel letters made from aluminum or stainless steel. This unique machine can be converted from a tabletop to a handheld.
How about laser safety?
For laser welders, we recommend using special safety glasses or a laser helmet, which we supply with the machines. Use welding gloves, or you can purchase special gloves and an apron that withstand temperatures over 5000 °F. For laser welders, use laser partitions that can be purchased from us or make your own. For the laser cutter, ensure it is purchased with a cover, or use laser partitions available from us, or make your own. For the laser cutter, ventilate fumes to the outside or purchase a special filter.
Should I buy the QCW tabletop or the standard handheld welder?
It depends on letter size and volume: the QCW tabletop excels at small- to medium-sized channel letters in aluminum or stainless steel — the 300W QCW handles aluminum up to 0.080", compared to 0.27" on the 2000W handheld. The QCW also has a CCD camera system for precise, repeatable alignment on a fixed work area. The handheld is more flexible for larger letters, irregular shapes, and mobile/on-site work. See our full QCW vs. Handheld comparison for the detailed breakdown.
Can the QCW tabletop weld letters too large to fit on its worktable?
Yes — the QCW is designed for exactly this situation. It converts between tabletop and handheld configuration, so oversized letters that don't fit the fixed work area can still be welded in handheld mode on the same machine, without needing a second welder.
Does the CCD camera system require special training to use?
Minimal. It's a live camera feed the operator uses to align the joint before welding — no separate certification is needed beyond the standard laser-welding safety training every operator receives, which is covered in on-site installation training.
What is the smallest letter stroke width the QCW can weld?
The QCW is specifically built for narrow channel-letter strokes, using its pulsed beam to minimize the heat-affected zone at tight corners and thin returns. Because it's a focused beam rather than a physical tool, there's effectively no minimum stroke width limitation.

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