US 5,925,268 A · Laser welding apparatus employing a tilting mechanism and seam follower

Abstract

In general, the present invention pertains to an apparatus and control system for working sheet material employs a tilting mechanism which automatically tilts a head about a theoretical point disposed upon the sheet material. In another aspect of the present invention, the head is defined as a laser head and the pivot point corresponds with the laser beam focal point. A further aspect of the present invention provides a seam tracking device and control system which automatically adjust a welding head height relative to the sheet material as a datum rather than relative to a gantry or other structure supporting the welding head. In yet another aspect of the present invention, an optical seam tracking device is employed to automatically tilt the welding head along differing rotational planes. In still another aspect of the present invention, various axial slides are employed in combination with a gantry. A further aspect of the present invention uses a seam tracking device and microprocessor to track a welding seam and move a welding head predetermined amounts due to sensed pre-weld gap widths. Another aspect of the present invention uses an automated tilting mechanism for creating a tailored blank butt weld between dissimilar materials. A method of operating the present invention is also provided.

Claims15

Dependent claims

An apparatus for working material pieces comprising:

a laser head operably projecting a laser beam having a focal point by way of a direct path between said laser head and said material pieces, said laser beam operably modifying said material pieces;
a tilting mechanism being coupled to said laser head such that said laser head is tilted about said focal point along a first plane;
a second tilting mechanism causing said laser head to tilt about said focal point along a second plane substantially perpendicular to said first plane wherein all of said first tilting mechanism tilts along said second plane corresponding to movement of a portion of said second tilting mechanism;
and
a seam tracking device continuously sensing the positioning of a seam, said laser head substantially following said seam tracking device along said seam.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Laser welding apparatus employing a tilting mechanism and seam follower

Life of this patent

Laser welding apparatus employing a tilting mechanism and seam follower

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15