Laser welding in a hemmer apparatus has a movable crown to hem a joint between two panels, fixed with respective to one another

摘要

Hemmer apparatus (18) has a movable crown to hem a joint between two panels (10, 28) held in fixed geometry with respect to one another at a hemming work station and welding laser(s) for controlled welding of the panels at the work station to at least fix the panels temporarily, until permanently fixed. AN Independent claim is also included for: a method of hemming a joint with a hammer apparatus (18) by folding at least a portion of a peripheral edge of one panel over with respect to an edge of the other panel, defining an overlapping hem joint (12); and welding at least one spot of the overlapping hem joint with at least one welding laser, for controlled welding of hemmed panels at the work station.