METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BUTT WELDING TOGETHER SHEET BLANKS

摘要

PCT No. PCT/CA96/00737 Sec. 371 Date Jun. 16, 1998 Sec. 102(e) Date Jun. 16, 1998 PCT Filed Nov. 6, 1996 PCT Pub. No. WO97/26110 PCT Pub. Date Jul. 24, 1997An apparatus is disclosed for positioning, clamping and welding together proximal edge portions of two sheet blanks. The apparatus incorporates a high energy laser and sheet clamping mechanism used to clamp each sheet blank in place between an associated electromagnet and ferromagnetic clamping shoes. The shoes are positioned above a corresponding electromagnet and are vertically movable there towards on the activation of the electromagnet. In use, the sheets are held in place with the respective sheet blanks sandwiched between the associated electromagnets and shoes with the proximal edge portions of the sheets abutting. The high energy laser is movably provided in the apparatus to move an emitted laser beam along a predetermined path over the abutting proximal edge portions to perform welding operations.