New laser welder adds to TIJT’s technologies

Published or Revised November 30, 2009

Students at the Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology at Paris Junior College now have the opportunity to work with a new Z-Tech Advanced Technologies Laser Welder. It is designed for a wide range of fabrication, reconstruction and repair in industrial, medical, dental and jewelry fields. "Laser welding has made it possible for jewelers to do what was once considered impossible," said TIJT instructor Serina Omori, "for example, welding next to heat-sensitive stones such as opals and emeralds without removing the stones from their settings. Laser welding is also allowing jewelers and designers to be more creative with their designs." In August Victor Gaouni from Z-Tech gave a two-day intensive training session to TIJT instructors. Now fourth-semester jewelry technology students and bench technician students are taking advantage of the new laser welder, learning to weld earring posts, assemble bracelet links, tack heads in place, tack wedding bands together, re-prong, re-bead and much more. Horology instructor Frank Poye is also excited about the new possibilities that the laser welder offers students learning watch-making, such as watch band and case repair, adding weight to balance wheels and repairing broken hair springs. The laser welder has a Leica camera installed in the microscope so that what is happening in the welding chamber can be seen by the students on a 32-inch flat screen monitor. "We are very excited to be offering this new technology here at TIJT," said Omori. "It adds a great new dimension to our students' body of knowledge."