Abstract: A tool and associated method for forming an attachment pad on a sheet material made from high strength steel. The tool includes a housing, an anvil supported on the housing and defining a working axis for forming the pad, and a slide block supported on the housing for movement at least along the working axis of the anvil. A die block is supported on the housing opposite the slide block, and is movable in directions along the working axis. The die block cooperates with anvil to form the pad at a target location defined along the working axis. The tool further includes a heating device supported for movement to and between first and second positions relative to the target location. The first position is adjacent to and aligned with the target location, while the second position is displaced from the first position and away from the target location.

Abstract: A hemmer apparatus has at least one welding laser attached to the moveable crown for controlled welding of the hemmed panels to hold the panels with respect to one another, at least temporarily, and/or to maintain geometry between the panels until permanently fixed, such as when the adhesive cures or when additional welding is performed. Laser welding in the hemmer apparatus can be performed by providing relief in the steel used to form the hem, or by providing a tab in the hem material extending beyond the steel forming the hem, or a combination of the two, in order to allow access of the laser beam to the location where the geometry stabilizing tack weld is desired to be placed. Multiple welds are placed in spaced locations about the periphery of the hemmed panels as required for the specific application.

Abstract: Metal alloy workpieces are laser welded to one another with a laser head emitting a laser beam. The laser head and workpieces are moved relative to one another at a predetermined velocity along a weld path. The laser beam power is selectively modulated to have an output with a desired frequency andr amplitude. An oscillating motion of the laser beam is superimposed on top of the relative velocity of movement between the laser head and the workpieces along the weld path, such that a rate of cooling of molten metal is controlled to a predetermined rate. A stroke rate of the oscillating motion is synchronized with the frequency of the modulated power output so that as the laser head moves along the weld path at a constant velocity, the laser beam is oscillated to thereby cause the laser beam to at least slow down relative to the velocity of travel between the laser head with respect to the workpieces along the weld path during backward oscillatory movement of the laser beam.