Method for separating spot-welded sheet metal parts
OwnerJames A. Longinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In a process for separating overlapping sheet metal panels, which are welded together by a series of spot-welds, the portion of each spot-weld in one of the panels is removed by drilling or milling after which pressure is applied by means of a tool, driven by a pneumatic hammer device, to the remaining portion of the spot-weld in the other panel forcing the other panel away from the one panel and separating of the panels without substantial damage to the panels. Alternatively, a hole saw may be used to separate the spot-weld from the one panel before pressure is applied to the spot-weld to separate the panels.
Claims12
A process for separating overlapping front and rear sheet metal panels, which are welded together by a spot-weld which extends through both said front and rear panels, said process comprising:
- (a) removing only the portion of said spot-weld in said front panel to form a hole in said front panel, said hole having a diameter at least substantially equal to the diameter of said spot-weld, whereby the portion of said spot-weld in said front panel is absent and the portion of said spot-weld in said rear panel is retained;
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- (b) applying pressure to the side of said retained portion of said spot-weld in said rear panel facing toward said front panel in a rearward direction to force said rear panel away from said front panel;
- (c) whereby said front and rear panels are separated without substantial damage to said panels.
A process for separating overlapping front and rear sheet metal panels, which are welded together by a spot-weld which extends through both said front and rear panels, said process comprising:
- (a) boring a pilot hole through said spot-weld, the diameter of said pilot hole being substantially less than the diameter of the spot-weld;
- (b) removing only the portion of said spot-weld in said front panel to form a larger hole in said front panel, said larger hole having a diameter at least equal to the diameter of said spot-weld, whereby the portion of said spot-weld in said front panel is absent and the portion of said spot-weld, containing said pilot hole, in said rear panel is retained;
- (c) applying pressure to the side of said retained portion of said spot-weld in said rear panel facing toward said front panel in a rearward direction to force said rear panel away from said front panel;
- (d) whereby said front and rear panels are separated without substantial damage to said panels.
A process for separating overlapping front and rear sheet metal panels, which are welded together by a spot-weld, said process comprising:
- (a) making a circular cut through said front panel substantially concentric with said spot-weld, said circular cut having a diameter at least substantially equal to the diameter of said spot-weld, whereby the portion of said spot-weld in said rear panel is retained in said rear panel and the portion of said spot-weld in said front panel is surrounded by, but separated from, said front panel;
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- (b) applying pressure to the side of said spot-weld surrounded by said front panel in a rearward direction to force said rear panel away from said front panel;
- (c) whereby said front and rear panels are separated without substantial damage to said panels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.