Hemming and in-situ laser welding method and apparatus
AssigneeUnova IP Corp.
InventorsDaniel J. Stiers, James T. Williamson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hemming and in-situ laser welding method and apparatus for hemming peripheral flanges of an outer steel panel over peripheral edges of an inner steel panel and laser welding the resulting hemmed joints. A lower die supports an outer metal panel in a position to be hemmed over an edge of an inner panel. An upper die is mounted on a movable support for reciprocal motion and hems the outer panel by folding a flange of the outer panel over onto an edge region of the inner panel when the upper die moves from a raised position to a down position. A laser unit welds the flange of the outer panel to the edge region of the inner panel with the upper die in its down position holding the two panels together.
Claims17
A hemming and in-situ laser welding apparatus comprising:
- a lower die configured to support at least a portion of an outer metal panel in a position to be hemmed over an edge region of an inner panel;
- an upper die mounted on a movable support for reciprocal motion between a raised position remote from the lower die and a down position adjacent the lower die and configured and positioned to hem the outer panel by folding a flange of the outer panel over onto the edge region of the inner panel when the upper die moves into the down position;
- and
- a laser unit positionable to weld an outer edge of the flange of the outer panel to an upper surface of the inner panel with the upper die in its down position holding the two panels together.
A method for hemming peripheral flanges of an outer steel panel over peripheral edges of an inner steel panel and laser welding the resulting hemmed joints, the method including the steps of:
- providing inner and outer panels between upper and lower dies of a hemming apparatus;
- forming a hemmed joint by folding a flange of the outer panel over onto an edge region of the inner panel by moving the upper and lower dies together;
- laser welding an outer edge of the outer panel flange to an upper surface of the inner panel after moving the upper and lower dies together and before moving the upper and lower dies apart;
- and
- moving the upper and lower dies apart to allow for removal of the joined panels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.