Abstract: A method and apparatus for high speed welding are disclosed wherein a continuous weld is formed at high speed along a member with a plurality of overlapping welds formed by pulses of high density energy from a pulsed high energy density welding device such as an electronically pulsed gas laser. The movement of the member being welded is detected in the vicinity of the pulsed laser. The pulsed laser is controlled in response to the detected movement so that the energy for welding from the pulses per unit length of the member being welded is accurately controlled. The control of the laser involves pulsing of the laser in response to the detected movement of the member so that the pitch of the overlapping welds along the member is substantially constant. Also, the power of the laser pulses is controlled and adjusted in a predetermined manner in response to the detected movements.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for continuously forming and laser welding metal can bodies and the like.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous laser welding adjacent longitudinally extending of generally tubular shaped members is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a Z-bar guide for positioning and guiding the edges as they are moved toward a welding area with a laser welding device for welding the edges, and a mandrel connected to the Z-bar guide and extending internally and in the direction of movement of the members. The mandrel includes a laser beam dump positioned adjacent the welding area for absorbing light from a laser beam produced by the laser welding device and at least one roller for internally supporting and guiding the generally tubular shaped members.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for guiding the opposed edges of sheet metal into substantially abutting edge-to-edge relationship with one another and thereafter welding said edges by a high energy welding source to form a seam. The invention enables the continuous high speed butt welding of the sheet metal to form cylindrical bodies. The apparatus includes three elements which are cooperatively secured in assembled relationship and thereby form opposed and converging guide channels which converge into open relationship with one another along the length of the apparatus so that the opposing edges of sheet metal are guided into intimate abutting edge-to-edge relationship with one another. The elements extend to a point adjacent the weld zone in order to maintain the sheet metal edges in abutting relationship as they enter the weld zone.In another embodiment, two of the elements may include portions which extend into and beyond the weld zone.

Abstract: A method of positioning and guiding two edges of thin sheet metal in such a manner that the edges are urged into overlapping relationship with each other under pressure and are continuously moved in a longitudinal direction while converging toward each other. The edges of the sheet metal are forced out of overlapping relationship against the pressure so that such edges are in abutting relationship with each other at the point of convergence at which time such edges are welded together by a source of heat.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning and guiding the opposed edges of sheet metal so that the edges thereof are progressively moved into substantially intimate relationship with one another so that such edges may be subsequently welded to form a seam. The apparatus includes three replaceable guide elements that cooperatively form opposed and relatively converging guide channels which progressively direct the sheet metal edges into intimate relationship and maintain such relationship as the sheet metal is introduced into a seam welding station.