Beam welding apparatus and methods

摘要

An apparatus and method may be used for welding a first panel to a second panel, the first panel having an inboard side partially contacting the second panel and an opposite outboard side. The apparatus has a welding beam generator. The apparatus reduces a pressure along the inboard side of the panel relative to an adjacent pressure along the outboard side so as to produce inward deflection of the first panel along a first portion of the first panel not contacting the second panel relative to a second portion. The apparatus has locates, based on said deflection, at least one of said first portion or said second portion.