Split beam laser welding apparatus

摘要

A system for performing laser welding comprises an optical lens for receiving an incoming laser beam and for dividing the laser beam into a number of different beam segments. The top surface is defined by a number of different surfaces for respectively dividing the laser beam into the number of beam segments. The optical lens has a convex bottom surface for focusing and directing the beam segments onto a respective number of welding locations. Preferably, the laser welding system is used to simultaneously perform five welds on an improved spacer grid assembly which has a cylindrical member located at each intersection of the spacer strips. By simultaneously performing the five requisite welds, the welding time is significantly reduced. Also, the welding process is simplified since the system only has to be in one position to perform all of the welds at each intersection.