Abstract: Laser welding is accomplished in a laser welding arrangement by positioning a plurality of workpieces to be joined next to one another so as to form an assembly having at least one interface between the workpieces, by simultaneously directing two laser beams from opposite sides of the assembly against effective welding regions of the workpieces that adjoin the interface and are substantially aligned with one another across the interface, and by effecting relative movement between the assembly and the two laser beams along the interface while maintaining the substantial alignment of the effective welding regions.

Abstract: A novel multiple spot laser welding apparatus includes a bendable mirror capable of deformation, which receives a laser beam at a single reflective surface thereof. A deformation device deforms the single reflective surface of the bendable mirror to provide a plurality of laser sub-beams to a workpiece, generating laser spots on surfaces thereof. The apparatus can be used in a laser welding method that provides a common weld pool formed by laser spots transverse to the weld seam. Another laser welding method provides multiple laser spots oriented along a weld seam producing a common weld pool therebetween. Still another laser welding method provides multiple laser spots along a weld seam producing distinct weld pools.