Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for producing tailored blanks. The device comprises a workpiece carrier for the sheets (15a, 15b) that are to be joined into tailored blanks in the butt joint by welding. The invention further comprises a plurality of laser welding heads (14a, 14b), which are arranged one behind the other over the workpiece carrier and along the butt joint to be welded and can be moved with an advancing device (11a, 11b), wherein the heads can be aligned with the joint using positioning means, wherein at least two combined laser cutting and welding heads (14a, 14b) are carried by at least two independent arms (13a, 13b), each associated with independent units (11a, 11b) of the advancing device, and wherein the positioning means can adjust the distances of the units (11a, 11b) in the direction of the butt joint and also the distances of the cutting and welding heads (14a, 14b) in the transversal direction to the butt joint.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for butt welding metal sheets (1, 2), preferably sheet metal strips or blanks of differing thicknesses by the relative displacement of a laser beam or electron beam in relation to the metal sheets (1, 2), along the line of contact of said sheets (1, 2) or the line of the welding seam that is to be produced, with the aid of tension rollers (4, 5, 10) that are located in pairs at a distance from one another above and below the sheets (1, 2) in the vicinity of the welding seam. The tension rollers (10) that are located above the sheets (1, 2) roll off the latter (1, 2) in a height-adjustable and/or sprung manner. The height of the tension rollers (4, 5) that are located below the sheets (1, 2) on at least one side of the welding seam is adjusted.

Abstract: In a method for cutting structural components to be joined by laser radiation that is guided by a computer-controlled manipulation system provided with a nominal path for each structural component corresponding to a joining line that is curved as a result of at least one of the structural components being three-dimensionally shaped, the structural component surfaces of the structural components including the joining line are determined measuring technologically. Based on measuring results, the nominal path corresponding to a penetration line of the structural components to be joined is calculated. A marking is formed on a first one of the structural component surfaces. When performing the cut on the structural component surface provided with the marking, the resulting cutting gap and the marking are determining measuring technologically. When a deviation of the cutting gap from the nominal path is detected, the manipulation system is controlled to correct the deviation.

Abstract: In a method for cutting structural components to be joined by laser radiation that is guided by a computer-controlled manipulation system provided with a nominal path for each structural component corresponding to a joining line that is curved as a result of at least one of the structural components being three-dimensionally shaped, the structural component surfaces of the structural components including the joining line are determined measuring technologically. Based on measuring results, the nominal path corresponding to a penetration line of the structural components to be joined is calculated. A marking is formed on a first one of the structural component surfaces. When performing the cut on the structural component surface provided with the marking, the resulting cutting gap and the marking are determining measuring technologically. When a deviation of the cutting gap from the nominal path is detected, the manipulation system is controlled to correct the deviation.

Abstract: A method for machining components (8) which do not contain magnetic material is provided. The method comprises placing the component (8) on at least one clamping magnet arranged on a machining table, whereby at least one clamping element (52) in a magnetic material is arranged on that side of the component (8) which faces the clamping magnet. The clamping element (52) is activated by and cooperates with the clamping magnet to fix the component (8) in its position. The technical problem of improving the effectiveness of the material throughput of the method and reducing the space requirements of the device for carrying out the method is solved by having the clamping element match the form of the component (8). The invention further relates to a device for carrying out the method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for cutting and/or welding preferably geometrically differently shaped metal sheets (10a, 10b), preferably sheet-metal panels, of the same or different gauges and straight and/or irregular weld seams, especially for motor vehicle coachwork, with jet tools, in which: a) the metal sheet(s) to be cut and/or at least two sheets to be butt-welded together are fitted and secured on a support (3) in the position to be cut and/or welded together; b) the sheets secured on the support are taken at irregular distances and/or discontinuously in front of the cutting or welding device (15) (machining device), on which c) for cutting and/or welding processes the machining device is moved at least transversely to the direction of transport of the sheets in accordance with the course of the irregular cutting line or weld seam, and in which d) the sheets (10a, 10b) secured to the support (3) are continuously and/or with an optimum spacing moved along beneath the machining device (15) at a spe

Abstract: A process and device for continuous butt-welding of metal sheets, in particular for car body building in the car industry, by beam welding. According to this device and process it is outlined that a precise abutting and welding of metal sheets is feasible without a precise alignment of metal sheets to be welded and laid on transport paths. This is accomplished by a special control of metal sheets to be welded together and by seam position sensors.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for the cooling of a welding seam area during laser welding of plates or strips, preferably used in car body construction in automotive engineering. It is described how expediently the cooling agent supply and also the supply of an inert gas veil built up between the focus and liquid coolant is achieved so that the liquid coolant is prevented from entering the welding seam area and causing detrimental effects there.

Abstract: A device and method for butt-welding metal strips using a laser is disclosed. The present invention utilizes clamping bridges to selectively grip the metal strips to be welded together. The ends of the metal strips are first prepared for welding by severing the ends using a movable laser. After the prepared strip ends are moved into butt-welding relationship, the same laser is used to weld the two strips together. Where the strips are of differing width, the laser may be rotated and its height above the strips adjusted in order to achieve the proper welding angle. Where one strip is continuously moving, a buffer facility is provided for selectively storing a portion of the continuously moving strip prior to cutting and welding. Through adjustment of the buffer facility, the clamped portion of the continuously moving strip, i.e. the trailing portion, remains stationary during cutting and welding while the leading portion of the strip continues to advance.