Method and apparatus for automatically aligning proximal edges of sheets to be butt welded

A method for automatically aligning adjacent proximal edges of two or more individual sheets of magnetic material in intimate abutting contact, said method comprising the following steps:

• placing two or more individual sheets on a support structure with their proximal edges to be butted together in approximately abutting relationship and generally aligned along a predetermined contiguous seam line;
• creating an effective north pole along the proximal edge of one of said sheets and an effective south pole along the confronting proximal edge of the other of said sheets so as to cause a magnetic attraction between said proximal edges to be aligned;
• and
• permitting at least one of said proximal edges and any sheet associated with that one proximal edge to move toward the other of said proximal edges as a result of said magnetic attraction until said proximal edges are in intimate abutting contact along their length.

A device for automatically aligning proximal edges of two or more substantially magnetic sheets of material to be connected along said proximal edges, said device comprising:

• means for supporting said sheets in substantially side-by-side relationship such that their proximal edges are oriented in approximately abutting relationship and such that said proximal edges are generally aligned along a predetermined contiguous seam line, at least one of said supported sheets being movable toward said seam line;
• magnetic means for creating an effective north pole along the proximal edge of one of the sheets to be connected and an effective south pole along the confronting proximal edge of an oppositely adjacent sheet such that a magnetic attraction is created between approximately abutting sheets and the proximal edges thereof are magnetically pulled into intimate abutting contact along their length;
• and
• an additional hold-down fixture to restrain one or more of said sheets against movement during automatic alignment procedures, said additional hold-down fixture comprising an electromagnet which can be selectively actuated.

A device for automatically aligning proximal edges of two or more substantially magnetic sheets of material to be connected along said proximal edges, said device comprising:

• means for supporting said sheets in substantially side-by-side relationship such that their proximal edges are oriented in approximately abutting relationship and such that said proximal edges are generally aligned along a predetermined contiguous seam line, at least one of said supported sheets being movable toward said seam line;
• magnetic means for creating an effective north pole along the proximal edge of one of the sheets to be connected and an effective south pole along the confronting proximal edge of an oppositely adjacent sheet such that a magnetic attraction is created between approximately abutting sheets and the proximal edges thereof are magnetically pulled into intimate abutting contact along their length;
• and
• means for reducing frictional forces opposing movement of said moveable sheet toward said seam line during automatic alignment procedures.

A device for automatically aligning proximal edges of two or more substantially magnetic sheets of material to be connected along said proximal edges, said device comprising:

• means for supporting said sheets in substantially side-by-side relationship such that their proximal edges are oriented in approximately abutting relationship and such that said proximal edges are generally aligned along a predetermined contiguous seam line, at least one of said supported sheets being movable toward said seam line;
• magnetic means for creating an effective north pole along the proximal edge of one of the sheets to be connected and an effective south pole along the confronting proximal edge of an oppositely adjacent sheet such that a magnetic attraction is created between approximately abutting sheets and the proximal edges thereof are magnetically pulled into intimate abutting contact along their length;
• a hold-down fixture for restraining one or more of said sheets against movement during automatic alignment procedures;
• and
• means for selectively restraining said movable sheet against further movement relative said seam line.