| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a high-powered laser beam welding method capable of joining a comparatively thick metallic member. <P>SOLUTION: In the welding method and an assembly for performing the method, articles to be welded are placed together so that faying surfaces thereof face each other, a joint region is defined by the faying surfaces and juxtaposed surfaces of the articles, a shim is disposed between and in contact with the faying surfaces, and an edge portion of the shim protrudes from the juxtaposed surfaces. The articles are welded together by projecting onto the joint region a high-powered laser beam. The high-powered laser beam is focused on the juxtaposed surfaces of the articles and intentionally unfocused on the edge portion of the shim, so that portions of the laser beam are diffracted by the edge portion onto the juxtaposed surfaces. The laser beam and its diffracted portions melt the shim and the faying and juxtaposed surfaces of the articles. Cooling of the articles yields a welded assembly having a weld joint entirely through a through-thickness of the welded assembly. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT |
