Abstract: In many cases, the coating material of coated sheet metal has a significantly lower boiling point than the sheet metal material. Thus, an explosive vaporization of coating material can occur when sheet metal of this type is joined by welding, negatively affecting the quality of the connection. To improve the connection quality, narrow gaps are created by means of spacers, allowing the vaporized coating material to escape through said gaps. The spacers are created e.g. by the laser radiation of the sheet metal. The aim of the invention is to reduce the variations in distance between the sheet metal sheets by the appropriate shaping of the spacers. This is achieved by a method, in which the laser beam executes a movement comprising transverse and longitudinal components through and/or around the center of its processing surface. This creates a topographical modification with a spherical form, i.e. with an apex radius that is greater than the height of said topographical modification.

Abstract: A laser weld seam with reduced end crater and a process for production thereof are provided. The seam end is provided at a location, which exhibits a excessive material relative to the surrounding surface or thereby, that the seam towards the seam end exhibits a counter-running direction change of its preferred direction, which is designed in such a manner, that as a consequence of the interaction between cooling forward and counter-running seam a backfill of the melt towards the seam end occurs.

Abstract: For increasing the load bearing capacity of spot-like weld seams for producing a durable joint between at least two components, it is known to lengthen this linearly, that is, to weld with a longitudinal orientation extending more than 30 mm. Such linear weld seams, however, do not endure high loads. The task of the present invention comprises providing linear weld seams with increased load bearing capacity and a process for their production. This task is solved by a process specifically for increasing the load bearing capacity of a linear weld seam for producing a durable joint between at least two components, wherein the location with the highest probability of a weld seam break is determined and then, at this location, a discontinuity is introduced into the weld seam, in such a manner that the tangent of the connecting line exhibits an angle of 15° or more.