Abstract: A method and device for joining coated metal sheets by laser welding is provided in which the metal sheets (1, 2) are placed one on top of another such that the marginal strip (4) of one metal sheet (2) protrudes over the marginal strip (3) of the other metal sheet (1). The marginal strips (3, 4) are pressed together at least in some areas and are joined by laser welding with a laser beam (14) directed at right angles or at about right angles to the plane of the marginal strips (3, 4). The protruding marginal strip (4) is pushed away from the other marginal strip (3) during the laser welding to form a degassing space (10).

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.

Abstract: The invention comprises an apparatus which allows precision alignment of sheet-metal plates of various sizes and shapes such that two of those pieces can be conveyed properly past a laser beam welding device and welded together. This is accomplished by affixing each piece to be welded to a pallet which is adapted to be moved along a conveyance system up to and through the welding station. Prior to welding, each piece is carefully aligned and securely affixed to its pallet such that no further motion is possible during the welding process. Also disclosed are methods for loading and discharging the pieces from the pallets, for returning the pallets to the front end of the conveyance system, for combining several systems according to this invention so as to assemble three or more pieces by laser beam welding, and for finishing the assembled units.