Hemming and in-situ laser welding method and apparatus
US6642473B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 8, 2002 |
| Grant date | Nov 4, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 19, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB23K2103/04
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A hemming and in-situ laser welding method and apparatus for hemming peripheral flanges of an outer steel panel over peripheral edges of an inner steel panel and laser welding the resulting hemmed joints. A lower die supports an outer metal panel in a position to be hemmed over an edge of an inner panel. An upper die is mounted on a movable support for reciprocal motion and hems the outer panel by folding a flange of the outer panel over onto an edge region of the inner panel when the upper die moves from a raised position to a down position. A laser unit welds the flange of the outer panel to the edge region of the inner panel with the upper die in its down position holding the two panels together.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.