Abstract: Process of producing a laminar structure including metal sheets which are superposed on each other, wherein a plurality of sheet metal blanks corresponding to and having the same thickness values as the metal sheets, respectively, are superposed on each other, the process comprising the steps of (a) effecting preliminary bonding of two adjacent sheet metal blanks including an endmost one of the sheet metal blanks, by welding at predetermined portions of the two adjacent sheet metal blanks, when each of the plurality of sheet blanks is superposed as the endmost sheet blank on the other of the two adjacent sheet metal blanks, and (b) cutting the endmost sheet metal blank along a predetermined cutting line, after the preliminary bonding, by a laser beam generated from a laser cutting apparatus such that the laser beam spot formed on an exposed surface of the endmost sheet blank is moved along the cutting line.

Abstract: A balancing apparatus for a pressing machine, including a force generating device for generating a force during a pressing operation on a blank, and a plurality of balancing hydraulic cylinders which have respective oil chambers communicating with each other and which include respective pistons that are moved to neutral positions thereof during the pressing operation, for evenly distributing said force, and where a discharge control device is connected to a connecting passage connecting the oil chambers of the balancing hydraulic cylinders to each other, so that the discharge control device inhibits a discharge flow of a working fluid from the hydraulic cylinders and thereby holding the pistons of all of the hydraulic cylinders at upper stroke ends thereof, prior to the pressing operation, and permits the discharge flow of the working fluid to thereby permit the pistons to be moved to the neutral positions during the pressing operation.

Abstract: Seam welding process and apparatus, wherein two plate-like workpieces are fed in a feeding direction toward a pair of roller electrodes, by guide rollers rotated by a driving device, while the workpieces are guided by a guiding device such that the edge portions overlap each other with a predetermined lap amount so that the overlapping edge portions are squeezed by the roller electrodes, and the edge portions are continuously welded together with a welding current being applied between the roller electrodes.

Abstract: A process and a device for expanding or contracting the end of a pipe are disclosed. First an ironing die or punch is put over or into the end of the pipe. Then the end of the pipe is expanded or contracted by a rod form expanding punch or a tube form reducing die. Then, with this punch or die still in place, the ironing die or punch is pulled over or through the end of the pipe, so as to pinch the wall of the pipe between itself and the punch or die, and thereby the wall of the pipe is ironed so as to release any strains that may have been caused in it by the expanding or contracting process. Thereby more accurate pipe ends can be formed simply and reliably.

Abstract: A process and a device for expanding or contracting the end of a pipe are disclosed. First an ironing die or punch is put over or into the end of the pipe. Then the end of the pipe is expanded or contracted by a rod form expanding punch or a tube form reducing die. Then, with this punch or die still in place, the ironing die or punch is pulled over or through the end of the pipe, so as to pinch the wall of the pipe between itself and the punch or die, and thereby the wall of the pipe is ironed so as to release any strains that may have been caused in it by the expanding or contracting process. Thereby more accurate pipe ends can be formed simply and reliably.

Abstract: A collapsible steering mechanism is structured with a pair of telescopically interfitting support tubes having a shock absorbing tube located coaxially therebetween. A plurality of bearing balls are provided on both ends of the shock absorbing tube for engagement between the support tubes with the diameter of the bearing balls being larger than the wall thickness of the shock absorbing tube to enable desired collapse of the support tubes when an impact force is applied thereto.