Laser weld jig

Apparatus for use in welding a workpiece having a surface extending parallel to a predetermined weld line, by the use of a welding beam, comprising:

• a frame;
• a member mounted at a substantially fixed location on said frame;
• and
• means for holding said workpiece surface against said member while advancing said workpiece surface at a substantially constant speed past said member, whereby to move the weld line of the workpiece past a fixed location at which a weld beam can be directed;
• wherein said workpiece has a lip, with one side of said lip forming said surface, and wherein:
• said member is rotatably mounted on said frame, and said member has a periphery that engages said workpiece surface;
• said holding means includes a second rotatable member biased against a side of said lip opposite said first member, and means for rotating at least one of said members.

A welding system for use with a device that applies welding energy over a small spot, comprising:

• a shaft having a workpiece-engaging portion;
• means for rotating said shaft;
• a workpiece having a multiplicity of points to be welded that lie along a predetermined weld line, and having a lip extending parallel to the weld line;
• and
• a backup wheel rotatably mounted to grasp the lip of the workpiece between the backup wheel and said shaft portion, whereby said lip is driven to move the points to be welded past a fixed location where the spot of welding energy can be applied.

Apparatus for moving a weldable part that has a lip, comprising:

• a frame;
• a carriage moveable on said frame and having a face;
• a shaft rotatably mounted on said frame and projecting through said carriage so an end of the shaft lies beyond a face of the carriage;
• an idler wheel rotatably mounted on said carriage at a position opposite said end of said shaft which lies beyond a face of the carriage;
• spring means for urging said carriage to move in a direction to bring said idler wheel close to said shaft;
• and
• means for turning said shaft.

A method for welding two workpiece portions together along a predetermined weld line, comprising:

• coupling a projecting lip to said workpiece portions, so the lip extends parallel to said weld line;
• and
• engaging said lip and moving it and the workpiece portions coupled thereto along the length of the lip, so that the weld line passes a predetermined stationary location, while directing welding energy at said locations,
• said step of engaging said lip including locating it between a pair of rotatable members, rotating the members to advance the lip, and directing said welding energy at a location adjacent to the location where said members engage said lip.

A method for welding two workpiece portions together along a predetermined weld line, comprising:

• coupling a projecting lip to said workpiece portions, so the lip extends parallel to said weld line,
• said step of coupling includes mounting a pair of parts forming said workpiece portions, on a jig which forms said lip, at an orientation wherein the lip extends parallel to the weld line;
• engaging said lip and moving it and the workpiece portions coupled thereto along the length of the lip, so that the weld line passes a predetermined stationary location, while directing welding energy at said locations;
• and
• removing the parts from the jig after the portions thereof are welded.