Laser welding apparatus employing a tilting mechanism
US5961858A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 6, 1996 |
| Grant date | Oct 5, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 6, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB23K2103/04
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for working material employs a tilting mechanism which tilts a head about a theoretical point disposed upon the sheet material. The welding or cutting head is defined as a laser head and the pivot point corresponds with the laser beam focal point. The laser head projects a laser beam directly upon the sheet material without the use of redirecting steerable mirrors. At least a pair of tilting mechanisms are employed to tilt the welding or cutting head along differing rotational planes. Various axial slides are employed in combination with a gantry. A laser vision system tracks a welding seam and a pre-weld gap. The tilting mechanism creates a tailored blank butt weld between dissimilar materials. A method of operating the present invention is also provided.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.