Abstract: The invention relates to a welding device (1) having a welding torch (2), a feeder (3) for feeding a melting filler material (4) at a feed rate (v) to a weld (S), where the filler material (4) is melted with the aid of an electric arc (L), and a pre-heater (9) for heating the filler material (4) upstream of the weld (S) by means of a laser beam (7) having a laser power (P) and generated in a laser device (6). For space-saving and safe heating of the filler material (4) upstream of the weld (S), the pre-heater (9) includes a feed channel (5) for the filler material (4), and at least one deflector (8) is attached to the pre-heater (9) for deflecting the laser beam (7) to the filler material (4) in such a way that the laser beam (7) strikes the filler material (4) inside the feed channel (5) of the pre-heater (9).

Abstract: The invention relates to a welding device (1) having a welding torch (2), a feeder (3) for feeding a melting filler material (4) at a feed rate (v) to a weld (S), where the filler material (4) is melted with the aid of an electric arc (L), and a pre-heater (9) for heating the filler material (4) upstream of the weld (S) by means of a laser beam (7) having a laser power (P) and generated in a laser device (6). For space-saving and safe heating of the filler material (4) upstream of the weld (S), the pre-heater (9) includes a feed channel (5) for the filler material (4), and at least one deflector (8) is attached to the pre-heater (9) for deflecting the laser beam (7) to the filler material (4) in such a way that the laser beam (7) strikes the filler material (4) inside the feed channel (5) of the pre-heater (9).