Abstract: A method for the preparation of steel sheets for fabricating a welded steel blank is provided. The method includes a step of removing at least part of the first and second metal alloy layers in first and second peripheral zones of pre-coated steel first and second sheets, respectively, by simultaneously ablating the first and second precoatings in the first and second peripheral zones of the pre-coated steel first and second sheets to define first and second ablation zones, the first and second peripheral zones being zones of the first and second principal faces closest to the median plane and located on either side of the median plane.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of steel sheets for fabricating a welded steel blank is provided. The method includes a step of removing at least part of the first and second metal alloy layers in first and second peripheral zones of pre-coated steel first and second sheets, respectively, by simultaneously ablating the first and second precoatings in the first and second peripheral zones of the pre-coated steel first and second sheets to define first and second ablation zones, the first and second peripheral zones being zones of the first and second principal faces closest to the median plane and located on either side of the median plane.

Abstract: A method for butt laser welding two metal sheets includes providing a first metal sheet and a second metal sheet and butt welding the metal sheets along a direction of welding. The butt welding step includes simultaneously generating a first front keyhole in the first metal sheet, generating a second front keyhole in the second metal sheet, and generating a back keyhole in the first and second metal sheets. The first and second front laser beams and the back laser beam are configured in such a manner that at each moment in time, a solid phase region and/or a liquid phase region of the metal sheets remains between the first front keyhole and the back keyhole and between the second front keyhole and the back keyhole.

Abstract: A method for creating a welded steel part includes providing a first steel plate having a first base, a first intermetallic alloy layer on the first base and a first metal alloy layer on the first intermetallic alloy layer; providing a second steel plate having a second base, a second intermetallic alloy layer on the second base and a second metal alloy layer on the second intermetallic alloy layer; butt welding the first and second steel plates at a weld so as to melt material from at least the first base, the first intermetallic alloy layer, the second base and the second intermetallic layer to form a molten weld material; austenizing the welded steel plates at a temperature between Ac1 and Ac3+100 degrees C. for a time greater than or equal to 20 seconds; and cooling the welded steel plates so as to render a uniform microstructure to the weld.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of steel sheets for fabricating a welded steel blank is provided. The method includes procuring at least two pre-coated steel sheets, each having a pre-coating of an intermetallic alloy layer, topped by a layer of aluminum metal or aluminum alloy or aluminum-based alloy. The sheets have a principal face, an opposite principal face, and at least one secondary face. The sheets are positioned so a gap between 0.02 and 2 mm exists between the secondary faces. The secondary faces face each other. The positioning of the first and second sheets defines a median plane perpendicular to the principal faces. Layers of metal alloy are removed by melting and vaporization simultaneously on the principal faces, in a peripheral zone of the sheets, the peripheral zones being the zones of the principal faces closest in relation to the median plane.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of steel sheets for fabricating a welded steel blank is provided. The method includes a step of removing at least part of the first and second metal alloy layers in first and second peripheral zones of pre-coated steel first and second sheets, respectively, by simultaneously ablating the first and second precoatings in the first and second peripheral zones of the pre-coated steel first and second sheets to define first and second ablation zones, the first and second peripheral zones being zones of the first and second principal faces closest to the median plane and located on either side of the median plane.

Abstract: A method for butt laser welding two metal sheets (2, 4) includes providing a first metal sheet (2) and a second metal sheet (4) and butt welding the metal sheets (2, 4) along a direction of welding. The butt welding step includes simultaneously emitting a first front laser beam (12) creating a first front spot (18) at the intersection with the first metal sheet (2), and generating a first front keyhole (19) in the first metal sheet (2) at the first front spot (18); a second front laser beam (14) creating a second front spot (20) at the intersection with the second metal sheet, and generating a second front keyhole in the second metal sheet (4) at the second front spot (20); and a back laser beam (16) creating a back spot (22) on the first and second metal sheets (2, 4), and generating a back keyhole (23A) in the first and second metal sheets (2, 4) at the back spot (22).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for automatic edge positioning and guiding of a moving web, such as a textile fabric or carpet, onto a conveyor system comprising manufacturing operations such as sewing, for example. More in particular an apparatus is provided including mechanics, optics and control for steering and positioning the side edges of the moving web in order to correct for misalignment, and hence sewing can occur appropriately.

Abstract: A welded blank includes a first pre-coated steel sheet, a second pre-coated steel sheet the first pre-coated steel sheet including a principal first face and an opposite principal first face, the first layer being removed by melting and vaporization in a first peripheral zone of the first pre-coated steel sheet, and the second pre-coated steel sheet including a second principal face and an opposite second principal face, the second layer being removed by melting and vaporization in a second peripheral zone of the second pre-coated steel sheet. At least one welded joint defining a median plane perpendicular to the first and second principal faces.

Abstract: A method for creating a welded steel part includes providing a first steel plate having a first base, a first intermetallic alloy layer on the first base and a first metal alloy layer on the first intermetallic alloy layer; providing a second steel plate having a second base, a second intermetallic alloy layer on the second base and a second metal alloy layer on the second intermetallic alloy layer; butt welding the first and second steel plates at a weld so as to melt material from at least the first base, the first intermetallic alloy layer, the second base and the second intermetallic layer to form a molten weld material; austenizing the welded steel plates at a temperature between Ac1 and Ac3+100 degrees C. for a time greater than or equal to 20 seconds; and cooling the welded steel plates so as to render a uniform microstructure to the weld.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the preparation of steel sheets to be fabricated into a welded steel blank. The method includes procuring at least one pre-coated first steel sheet and one pre-coated second steel sheet, made up of a steel substrate and a pre-coating made up of an intermetallic alloy layer in contact with the steel substrate, topped by a layer of aluminum metal or aluminum alloy or aluminum-based alloy, the first sheet having a principal face, an opposite principal face, and at least one secondary face, the second sheet having a principal face, an opposite principal face and at least one secondary face, positioning the first and second sheets, leaving a gap of between 0.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of steel sheets for fabricating a welded steel blank is provided. The method includes procuring at least two pre-coated steel sheets, each having a pre-coating of an intermetallic alloy layer, topped by a layer of aluminum metal or aluminum alloy or aluminum-based alloy. The sheets have a principal face, an opposite principal face, and at least one secondary face. The sheets are positioned so a gap between 0.02 and 2 mm exists between the secondary faces. The secondary faces face each other. The positioning of the first and second sheets defines a median plane perpendicular to the principal faces. Layers of metal alloy are removed by melting and vaporization simultaneously on the principal faces, in a peripheral zone of the sheets, the peripheral zones being the zones of the principal faces closest in relation to the median plane.

Abstract: A formed steel part includes a first steel plate having a first base, a first intermetallic alloy layer on the first base and a first metal alloy layer on the first intermetallic alloy layer, the first steel part having a first area without the first metal alloy layer and having at least part of the first intermetallic alloy layer; and a second steel plate having a second base, a second intermetallic alloy layer on the second base and a second metal alloy layer on the second intermetallic alloy layer, the second steel part having a second area without the second metal alloy layer and having at least part of the second intermetallic alloy layer in the second area. The first and second steel plates are joined together. The formed steel part may also include a butt-weld joining the first and second steel plates.

Abstract: A formed steel part includes a first steel plate having a first base, a first intermetallic alloy layer on the first base and a first metal alloy layer on the first intermetallic alloy layer, the first steel part having a first area without the first metal alloy layer and having at least part of the first intermetallic alloy layer; and a second steel plate having a second base, a second intermetallic alloy layer on the second base and a second metal alloy layer on the second intermetallic alloy layer, the second steel part having a second area without the second metal alloy layer and having at least part of the second intermetallic alloy layer in the second area. The first and second steel plates are joined together. The formed steel part may also include a butt-weld joining the first and second steel plates.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of steel sheets for fabricating a welded steel blank is provided. The method includes procuring at least two pre-coated steel sheets, each having a pre-coating of an intermetallic alloy layer, topped by a layer of aluminum metal or aluminum alloy or aluminum-based alloy. The sheets have a principal face, an opposite principal face, and at least one secondary face. The sheets are positioned so a gap between 0.02 and 2 mm exists between the secondary faces. The secondary faces face each other. The positioning of the first and second sheets defines a median plane perpendicular to the principal faces. Layers of metal alloy are removed by melting and vaporization simultaneously on the principal faces, in a peripheral zone of the sheets, the peripheral zones being the zones of the principal faces closest in relation to the median plane.

Abstract: A welded blank includes a first pre-coated steel sheet, a second pre-coated steel sheet the first pre-coated steel sheet including a principal first face and an opposite principal first face, the first layer being removed by melting and vaporization in a first peripheral zone of the first pre-coated steel sheet, and the second pre-coated steel sheet including a second principal face and an opposite second principal face, the second layer being removed by melting and vaporization in a second peripheral zone of the second pre-coated steel sheet. At least one welded joint defining a median plane perpendicular to the first and second principal faces.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of steel sheets for fabricating a welded steel blank is provided. The method includes procuring at least two pre-coated steel sheets, each having a pre-coating of an intermetallic alloy layer, topped by a layer of aluminum metal or aluminum alloy or aluminum-based alloy. The sheets have a principal face, an opposite principal face, and at least one secondary face. The sheets are positioned so a gap between 0.02 and 2 mm exists between the secondary faces. The secondary faces face each other. The positioning of the first and second sheets defines a median plane perpendicular to the principal faces. Layers of metal alloy are removed by melting and vaporization simultaneously on the principal faces, in a peripheral zone of the sheets, the peripheral zones being the zones of the principal faces closest in relation to the median plane.

Abstract: A formed steel part includes a first steel plate having a first base, a first intermetallic alloy layer on the first base and a first metal alloy layer on the first intermetallic alloy layer, the first steel part having a first area without the first metal alloy layer and having at least part of the first intermetallic alloy layer; and a second steel plate having a second base, a second intermetallic alloy layer on the second base and a second metal alloy layer on the second intermetallic alloy layer, the second steel part having a second area without the second metal alloy layer and having at least part of the second intermetallic alloy layer in the second area. The first and second steel plates are joined together. The formed steel part may also include a butt-weld joining the first and second steel plates.

Abstract: A formed steel part includes a first steel plate having a first base, a first intermetallic alloy layer on the first base and a first metal alloy layer on the first intermetallic alloy layer, the first steel part having a first area without the first metal alloy layer and having at least part of the first intermetallic alloy layer; and a second steel plate having a second base, a second intermetallic alloy layer on the second base and a second metal alloy layer on the second intermetallic alloy layer, the second steel part having a second area without the second metal alloy layer and having at least part of the second intermetallic alloy layer in the second area. The first and second steel plates are joined together. The formed steel part may also include a butt-weld joining the first and second steel plates.

Abstract: A formed steel part is provided. The formed steel part includes a first steel plate having a first base, a first intermetallic alloy layer on the first base and a first metal alloy layer on the first intermetallic alloy layer, the first steel part having a first area without the first metal alloy layer and having at least part of the first intermetallic alloy layer; and a second steel plate having a second base, a second intermetallic alloy layer on the second base and a second metal alloy layer on the second intermetallic alloy layer, the second steel part having a second area without the second metal alloy layer and having at least part of the second intermetallic alloy layer in the second area. The first and second steel plates are joined together. The formed steel part may also include a butt-weld joining the first and second steel plates.