Abstract: A process is disclosed for laser welding sheet metal plates having an anti-corrosion surface layer pre-coat. The plates are arranged one relative to the other in an edge-butting relationship. Using a laser beam having a first beam spot-size, a laser weld joint is formed along the adjacent edges of the sheet metal plates. Subsequent to forming the laser weld joint, a localized anti-corrosion surface layer is formed at least on the laser weld joint. In particular, a laser beam having a second beam spot-size larger than the first beam spot-size is scanned along the laser weld joint. During the scanning, a flow of a powdered anti-corrosion surface layer material is directed toward a portion of the laser weld joint that is being irradiated by the laser beam. The powdered material is melted by the laser beam and forms a layer adhering to the laser weld joint.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for laser-welding sheet metal plates that have an aluminum-silicon containing pre-coat layer. The pre-coated sheet metal plates are arranged one relative to another such that an edge of one of the plates is adjacent to and in contact with an edge of the other one of the plates, and a laser-welded joint is formed along the adjacent edges of the pre-coated plates. In particular the joint is formed absent removing the aluminum-silicon containing layer from along the adjacent edges, such that aluminum from the aluminum-silicon containing layer enters into the melt pool that is formed. Additionally, an alloying material is introduced into the melt pool during forming the laser-welded joint and forms a compound with at least some of the aluminum in the melt pool.

Abstract: A process is described for laser welding a sheet metal workpiece having an aluminum-silicon containing pre-coat layer disposed on at least one major surface thereof, and having first and second opposite side edges. The sheet metal workpiece is arranged such that the first and second side edges are in contact with one another and such that the at least one major surface faces outwardly. A closed tube-shaped product is obtained by forming a laser-weld joint between the first and second side edges. In particular the laser-weld joint is formed absent removing the aluminum-silicon containing layer from along the adjacent edges, such that aluminum from the aluminum-silicon containing layer enters into the melt pool that is formed. An alloying material is introduced into the melt pool during laser welding and forms a compound with at least some of the aluminum in the melt pool.

Abstract: A process is described for laser welding a sheet metal workpiece having an anti-corrosion pre-coat on at least one major surface thereof and having first and second opposite side edges. The sheet metal workpiece is arranged such that the first and second side edges are in contact with one another and such that the at least one major surface faces outwardly. A laser beam having a first beam spot-size, is used to form a laser weld joint between the first and second side edges. Subsequently, a localized anti-corrosion surface layer is formed on the laser weld joint. To this end, a laser beam having a second beam spot-size larger than the first beam spot-size is scanned along the laser weld joint. During the scanning, a flow of a powdered anti-corrosion surface layer material is directed toward a portion of the laser weld joint that is being irradiated by the laser beam. The laser beam melts the material, which subsequently solidifies to form a layer adhering to the laser weld joint.

Abstract: A process is provided for laser beam welding of surface treated steel components. Two steel components, at least one of which is a surface treated steel component, are relatively arranged to form a joint that is to be welded. Using a laser beam, the two steel components are irradiated along the joint so as to heat materials within each of the two steel components to a welding temperature, and thereby form a weld pool. During welding a metallic constituent is introduced into a leading edge of the weld pool, in front of the laser beam along a welding direction. The introduced metallic constituent combines with a species, which is released into the weld pool from the surface treated steel component, to form a compound that is stable within the weld pool at the welding temperature.

Abstract: A tool for forming a shaped product has a support body that is fabricated from a first material, such as for instance cast iron. The first material defines a first portion of a forming surface of the tool and has a feature supported thereon. The feature has a layer of a second material that is supported on the first material of the support body, a layer of a third material that is supported on the layer of the second material and a layer of a fourth material that is supported on the layer of the third material. The layer of the fourth material, such as for instance a tool steel alloy, defines a second portion of the forming surface of the tool. During use the first portion of the forming surface and the second portion of the forming surface cooperate to form a desired shape of the shaped product.

Abstract: A process for localized hardening of steel sheet components includes scanning a laser beam in a scan direction across a predetermined portion of the steel sheet component. The laser beam selectively heats material within the predetermined portion of the steel sheet component to a temperature of austenitizing transformation. During scanning of the laser beam across the predetermined portion, a source of external cooling is applied to the material within the predetermined portion and immediately behind the laser beam along the scan direction of the laser beam. The source of external cooling is selected to cool the material at a sufficiently rapid rate to form a locally hardened region that is defined substantially within the predetermined portion. Subsequent to applying the source of external cooling, the material within the predetermined portion of the steel sheet component is allowed to cool to ambient temperature.

Abstract: A process is provided for laser beam welding of surface treated steel components. Two steel components, at least one of which is a surface treated steel component, are relatively arranged to form a joint that is to be welded. Using a laser beam, the two steel components are irradiated along the joint so as to heat materials within each of the two steel components to a welding temperature, and thereby form a weld pool. During welding a metallic constituent is introduced into a leading edge of the weld pool, in front of the laser beam along a welding direction. The introduced metallic constituent combines with a species, which is released into the weld pool from the surface treated steel component, to form a compound that is stable within the weld pool at the welding temperature.

Abstract: A method for laser welding first and second components is provided including moving a laser beam across a portion of a surface of the first component at a speed sufficient to generate protuberances on the surface of the first component by means of a humping effect, juxtaposing said first and second components such that opposed surfaces of the first and second components are separated by said protuberances on the surface of the first component, and laser welding said first and second components by scanning the laser beam in a region in which said surfaces are separated by said protuberances. The height of the protuberances can be controlled by controlling a scanning speed of the laser beam.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and a method of forming a material of low ductility including providing a first sheet made from a material of low ductility, providing an integrated forming device comprising a heat source and a forming element, and moving the forming element relative to the first sheet along a forming direction while simultaneously heating a localized portion of the first sheet along the forming direction at a substantially constant predetermined distance in front of the forming element. The predetermined distance is selected so as to yield a predetermined temperature to achieve a predetermined ductility at the localized portion of the first sheet when the forming element reaches the localized portion of the first sheet.