Vacuum-based weld fixture and method of using the same

A vacuum-based weld fixture, comprising:

• a first work piece support for supporting a first work piece, the first work piece support includes a work piece support surface with at least one opening, the first work piece support is configured so that reduced pressure is supplied from a vacuum source through the opening in the work piece support surface to an underside of the first work piece;
• a second work piece support for supporting a second work piece, the first work piece support is slidable with respect to the second work piece support;
• a gage bar for aligning the first and second work pieces and moveable between an extended alignment position and a retracted welding position;
• and
• an exhaust gas chamber positioned between the first and second work piece supports, the exhaust gas chamber is configured to supply an inert gas along the edges of the first and second work pieces;
• wherein the vacuum-based weld fixture is configured so that the first work piece is held in place against the work piece support surface by the reduced pressure while the gage bar is moved from the extended alignment position to the retracted welding position.

A method of using a vacuum-based weld fixture, comprising the steps of:

• pushing a first work piece and a second work piece towards a gage bar until contact is made, such that the gage bar is located between the first and second work pieces, the gage bar including a first alignment surface for aligning an edge of the first work piece and a second alignment surface for aligning an edge of the second work piece;
• securing the first work piece on a first work piece support with the use of a reduced pressure supplied from a vacuum source through an opening in a work piece support surface of the first work piece support to an underside of the first work piece;
• securing a second work piece on a second work piece support;
• and
• moving the gage bar from an extended alignment position to a retracted welding position so that the gage bar is no longer located between the first and second work pieces, wherein the first work piece is held in place against the work piece support surface by the reduced pressure while the gage bar is moved from the extended alignment position to the retracted welding position;
• and
• sliding the first work piece support with the vacuum secured first work piece towards the second work piece support with the secured second work piece until contact is made, at which point the first and second work pieces are aligned along their respective edges.