Laser welding method and apparatus
AssigneeUnova IP Corp.
InventorWilliam M. Faitel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A laser welding method and apparatus includes a laser manipulator that directs a laser beam emitted from a laser generator at various predetermined angles toward predetermined positions within a laser work zone. A transport device passes workpieces through the laser work zone where the laser beam manipulator can direct a laser beam at desired interfacing portions of each workpiece to weld those interfacing portions together. The controller is programmed to cause the manipulator to weld the workpieces without halting their motion through the laser work zone.
Claims32
A laser welding apparatus for welding workpieces transported by a conveyor system, the apparatus comprising:
- a laser generator;
- a laser manipulator configured and positioned to direct a laser beam emitted from the laser generator;
- a controller connected to the laser manipulator and configured to cause the laser manipulator to direct a laser beam from the laser generator at various predetermined angles toward predetermined positions within a laser work zone;
- a transport device disposed adjacent the laser work zone and configured to pass workpieces through the laser work zone where the laser beam manipulator can direct a laser beam at desired interfacing portions of each workpiece to weld those interfacing portions together;
- and
- the manipulator being configured to weld the workpieces without halting workpiece motion through the laser work zone.
A laser welding apparatus for welding workpieces supported on a pallet transported by a conveyor system, the apparatus comprising:
- a laser generator;
- a laser manipulator configured and positioned to direct a laser beam emitted from the laser generator;
- a controller connected to the laser manipulator and configured to cause the laser manipulator to direct a laser beam from the laser generator at various predetermined angles toward predetermined positions within a laser work zone;
- a transport device disposed adjacent the laser work zone and configured to pass workpieces supported on pallets through the laser work zone where the laser beam manipulator can direct a laser beam at desired interfacing portions of each workpiece to weld those interfacing portions together;
- a pallet orientation sensor connected to the controller and configured to detect pallet orientation on the transport device;
- and
- the controller is configured to compensate for pallet orientation variations when commanding laser beam manipulator movement.
A laser welding apparatus for welding workpieces supported on a pallet transported by a conveyor system, the apparatus comprising:
- a laser generator;
- a laser manipulator configured and positioned to direct a laser beam emitted from the laser generator;
- a controller connected to the laser manipulator and configured to cause the laser manipulator to direct a laser beam from the laser generator at various predetermined angles toward predetermined positions within a laser work zone;
- a transport device disposed adjacent the laser work zone and configured to pass workpieces through the laser work zone where the laser beam manipulator can direct a laser beam at desired interfacing portions of each workpiece to weld those interfacing portions together;
- and
- the controller is configured to direct the laser manipulator to weld pluralities of workpieces supported on single pallets disposed in the laser work zone.
A method of welding workpieces supported on a pallet transported by a conveyor system;
- the method including the steps of:
- providing a laser generator and a laser manipulator configured and positioned to receive a laser beam emitted from the laser generator and to direct that beam at various points within a laser work zone;
- providing a transport device adjacent the laser work zone and configuring the transport device to pass workpieces through the laser work zone;
- providing a workpiece on the transport device;
- causing the transport device to transport the workpiece through the laser work zone;
- and
- welding interfacing portions of the workpiece together by causing the laser beam manipulator to direct a laser beam at the interfacing portions as the workpiece is moving through the laser work zone
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.