Abstract: Seam welding process and apparatus, wherein two plate-like workpieces are fed in a feeding direction toward a pair of roller electrodes, by guide rollers rotated by a driving device, while the workpieces are guided by a guiding device such that the edge portions overlap each other with a predetermined lap amount so that the overlapping edge portions are squeezed by the roller electrodes, and the edge portions are continuously welded together with a welding current being applied between the roller electrodes.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a single welded panel from a plurality of material panels by abutting together the material panels using a welder member and irradiating the abutted edges with a welding beam. The apparatus includes two or more bases each provided for each type of welded panel to be manufactured and for supporting the welder member and material panels for the each type of welded panel, and guide rails for guiding one of the bases to a welding beam irradiation region, whereby two or more different types of welded panels can be manufactured.

Abstract: Sheared steel sheet materials are abutted against each other with burrs of the steel sheet materials directed in the same direction. A laser beam is irradiated onto the abutment portion of the assembly of the steel sheets from the sagging side of the assembly. At the same time, a filler wire is supplied to the abutment portion from the same side as the laser beam irradiation. The steel sheet materials are joined together to form a press material. Then, the press material is set in a press machine in a direction that a surface of the press material opposite to the laser beam irradiated surface, faces the exterior when stamped and mounted to a vehicle. Then, the press material is stamped and is formed into a vehicle panel.