Metal joiner system, associated methods, and products

A metal joiner for a metal joiner system, the metal joiner comprising:

• a cutting header configured to prepare a joining region for forming a joint, the joining region defined by contacting and abutting edges of a first metal substrate and a second metal substrate, the cutting header configured to prepare the joining region by generating a first laser beam and directing the first laser beam from the metal joiner onto the joining region, wherein the first laser beam is configured to cut through an entire thickness of the joining region to form a gap in the joining region extending through the entire thickness of the joining region;
• and
• a joining header configured to form the joint in the joining region by generating a second laser beam and directing the second laser beam from the metal joiner onto the joining region,
• wherein the joining header is connected to the cutting header such that the joining header moves with the cutting head.

A method comprising:

• aligning an end edge of a first metal substrate with a start edge of a second metal substrate such that an edge surface of the end edge abuts and is in contact with an edge surface of the start edge, wherein the aligned end edge and start edge define a joining region;
• preparing the joining region for joining by directing a first laser beam onto the joining region with a cutting header of a metal joiner and cutting through an entire thickness of the joining region, thereby forming a gap in the joining region extending through the entire thickness of the joining region;
• and
• directing a second laser beam onto the joining region with a joining header of a metal joiner to form a weld, wherein forming the weld joins the first metal substrate with the second metal substrate.