Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the control of the filler material supply rate in energy beam welding as electron beam welding is disclosed. The width or cross-sectional area of a gap defined by opposed faces of two workpiece parts to be joined is measured by radiation, preferably X-ray radiation, and the rate with which filler material is supplied into a welding zone produced by the energy beam is controlled in proportion to the result of the measurement. The measurement may be made in advance of the welding zone and the control is then delayed by a period of time, which the welding zone takes to arrive at the position of the gap, where the measurement was made.

Abstract: A laser beam of a pulse width 10 to 20 nanoseconds is irradiated and scanned relatively and two-dimensionally on a metal thin film formed on a transparent substrate from the transparent substrate side and through the transparent substrate with a superposition number of laser beam spots set up to at most 15 and to thereby remove a predetermined region of the metal thin film. The irradiated metal film begins to melt from the substrate side and is removed away explosively from the substrate, leaving the substrate substantially unaffected.

Abstract: A continuous seam weldment is established between moving strips of sheet material by forming a converging Vee geometry between the moving strips, applying force at the point of convergence and directing a laser beam into the convergence Vee. The laser beam should be focused at a focal point lying only in a narrow range from essentially at the point of convergence to a location downstream thereof.

Abstract: A continuous seam weldment is established between two strips of sheet material while the strips are moving by forming a converging Vee geometry between the moving strips, applying a pressure at the point of convergence and focusing a laser beam into the converging Vee.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for adjusting the resistance value of an elongated resistance film of typically inconsistent density which has been deposited on an insulative substrate. The resistance incremental of this film is measured between a start point and a wiper point. This resistance is then compared with a specified resistance, and an error signal is generated responsive to any error between the measured resistance and the specified resistance. The error signal is used to regulate the relative motion between a laser beam and the resistance film, with the motion being generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of the resistance film. This motion causes the finely focused laser beam to burn an insulative separation path in the resistance film, thereby regulating the effective width of the resistance film. This regulation of the effective width progresses in a continuous manner over the entire length of the active portion of the resistive element.

Abstract: A method for laser zone melting and apparatuses therefor wherein, in a zone melting method for a thin film due to the irradiation of laser beam, the laser beam is vibrated at the frequency of more than 1 Hz in the direction substantially perpendicular to the moving direction of a melting zone and the fluctuation of laser beam output is controlled to less than 1%. The zone-melted thin films manufactured by this method have good electrical properties resulting from less crystal imperfection, less non-stoichiometric excess atoms of the constituents, and less thickness corrugation of the film due to the suppression of temperature fluctuations and its spacial inhomogeneity at the time of zone melting.

Abstract: A method of electron beam welding utilizing a plurality of fixed, evacuable chambers. The disclosed method includes the step of providing each separate chamber with a receptacle allowing quick connection and disconnection of the electron beam gun and evacuation apparatus. The disclosed method allows for welding of large-scale products in an "assembly line" type of operation where other manufacturing operations can be performed simultaneously with electron beam welding.

Abstract: A roll of the type which is used in paper machines has an inner roll body provided with an outer covering made up of a series of elongated strip portions which circumferentially surround the inner roll body while being distributed axially therealong and engaging each other. These strip portions are welded to each other and also may be welded to the inner roll body. The welding of the strip portions is carried out by way of an electron beam type of welding which can be oriented so as to achieve one or more of a number of different types of weld connections between the successive strip portions and, if desired between the strip portions and the inner roll body.

Abstract: In a method of welding with a beam of charged particles, outside of a mobile vacuum chamber a gap between two workpiece parts is sealed by an elongated metal foil strip, two marginal zones of which being sealingly cemented to surface portions of said workpiece parts, said marginal portions being sufficiently spaced from the gap to avoid excessive heating of the adhesive during welding a seam along said gap. The preferred material for the foil strip is copper or austenitic steel.

Abstract: In plasma arc welding apparatus of a type including a plasma arc torch which is movable relative to a welding stock and transforms orifice gas into a plasma jet stream directed toward the welding stock, the flow of orifice gas is regulated by a throttle valve, a motor adjusting the valve under the influence of adjustable timing means capable of selectively increasing, decreasing and maintaining at a steady state the flow of orifice gas toward the torch. In order to accurately regulate the throttling valve, the timing means preferably includes an adjustable cam assembly driven by the motor along with the valve and operatively coupled with the motor by one or more switches capable of regulating motor operation in order to achieve desired flow control by the valve.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for cutting tubular material with two separate laser beams having a constant power ratio by using a laser source having a single output beam of random polarization. A beamsplitter is positioned so that the output of a laser source strikes it at a near normal angle of incidence. The beamsplitter divides the laser beam into two components whose power ratio remains relatively constant due to the near normal angle of incidence of the laser beam onto the beamsplitter. The two components are then directed to strike the tube. The constant power ratio permits the most efficient use of the power of the laser source.

Abstract: A laser beam is applied to a rotating workpiece tangentially of the path of rotation thereof with a suitable tolerance while the light is being shifted relative to the workpiece, whereby the irradiated portion of the workpiece is melted and the molten material is removed by removing means for shaping. This method forms an annular groove in part of the outer periphery of the workpiece or a smooth surface or indentations of specified depth in the outer periphery over a wide area.

Abstract: A process for cutting or shaping of a ceramic substrate with laser light, comprising pulsing the laser light and moving the pulsing laser light source with respect to the substrate so that individual light pulses strike different spots along the substrate, defining a path; the laser light may pierce the substrate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for cutting, welding, drilling or surface treating a workpiece are described. A laser beam is directed towards a workpiece and an arc is struck between an electrode and the heat affected zone created by the laser beam in the workpiece.

Abstract: A deep penetration weld join is produced in an energy beam welding method where the energy beam, as for example, an electron beam, is directed into the join to produce a welding zone containing molten material, and moved along the join relative to the parts of the work. Additional material is introduced into the welding zone to fill a gap and/or to influence the metallurgical composition of the weld zone. By introducing the material into the melt at an acute angle to the beam axis and at a point spaced alongside the beam axis, the additive material penetrates deeply into the molten material. The additive material may be preheated prior to its introduction to the welding zone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for seam welding by means of a charged particle beam is disclosed, wherein any misalignment of the beam with respect to the gap between opposed surfaces of two workpiece parts to be joined is compensated for by a double deflection of the beam. The position of the beam in respect to the gap is determined at two locations spaced in the direction of propagation of the beam, and the deflection in two spaced deflection zones is controlled in response to the result of such determination so that the deflected beam--which may oscillate transversely to the longitudinal direction of the gap--is aligned to the gap and a sound weld seam is produced.

Abstract: An method for electron beam welding including the step of preparing an appropriate number of vacuum chamber units. Each of the chamber units has opposite open ends and is provided with a first adaptor for accommodating an electron beam welding gun and a second adaptor for accommodating an evacuating device. The vacuum chamber units are connected in series to form one longer chamber. Workpieces to be welded to each other are put into the longer chamber. Then, the longer chamber is closed at the opposite outermost open ends by end closure members, and thereafter, electron beam welding is performed.

Abstract: A vacuum sealing means for a high production electron beam welding machine incorporating a rotary indexing table carrying parts to be welded from a loading position to a welding position under a stationery electron beam gun and then to an unloading station. Sealable pockets on the rotating index table carrying the parts to be welded are carried through a sealed off low volume space into a first pre-pumping station where air in the pocket is brought to a pressure intermediate between the atmospheric pressure and the pressure required during the welding of the parts. After pre-pumping, the pockets are indexed to a second pumped area where the pocket is evacuated to the pressure suitable for welding. The table is then indexed through an area at the pre-pumping pressure and then through another sealed off space at atmospheric pressure to the ejection station.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for laser welding in a controllably pure gaseous environment at sub-atmospheric as well as high pressures. A workpiece to be welded is contained within a vessel having a light transmitting means which allows passage of a laser beam into the vessel. A gas stream is introduced to the vessel through a gas inlet means and positioned so that the stream deflects ionized particles from impinging on the light transmitting means. The gas stream simultaneously serves to cool the light transmitting means. Weld debris and spent gas are exhausted through a gas exhaust means which preferably is located adjacent to the workpiece. The apparatus is particularly suited to the laser welding of oxide dispersion strengthened alloys.

Abstract: Method of welding wherein at least two tubular members, are welded to a plate comprising directing a high energy beam welding means along a continuous path extending peripherally of the tubular members and between the tubular members.