Abstract: A method for fabricating a metal foam component from an aerogel containing a polymer and nanoparticles is disclosed. The method may comprise: 1) exposing the aerogel to a reducing condition at an elevated temperature for a reaction time to provide a metal foam; and 2) using the metal foam to fabricate the metal foam component. At least one of the elevated temperature and the reaction time may be selected so that at least some ligaments of the metal foam have a desired ligament diameter or at least some pores of the metal foam have a desired pore size. The desired ligament diameter may be less than about one micron and the component may be a component of a gas turbine engine.

Abstract: Multi-metal particles, apparatuses and method of making same are provided. Specifically, the multi-metal particles are of nanometer dimensions and are prepared by spatially arranged electrodes configured to generate and maintain a plasma cloud.

Abstract: A method for producing small metal alloy nanoparticles of a first metal and a second metal, comprising: mixing, at room temperature in air, a first aqueous solution of first and second metal nanoparticle precursor species in a first molar ratio of the first metal to the second metal; mixing a separate organic ligand into the first aqueous solution; adding a reducing agent to the first aqueous solution; and aging the first aqueous solution for a first period. The method may further comprise characterizing by photoluminescence or other property the metal alloy nanoparticles from the first aqueous solution and/or from a second aqueous solution of first and second metal nanoparticle precursor species in a second molar ratio of the first metal to the second metal.

Abstract: A method for producing silver nanoparticles according to the present invention includes the steps of: mixing an amine mixture and a silver compound to yield a complex compound; and heating and decomposing the complex compound to form silver nanoparticles. The amine mixture contains: a primary amine (A) having 8 or more carbon atoms and a melting point of 20° C. or lower; a diamine (B) having a primary amino group, a tertiary amino group, 4 or more carbon atoms, and a melting point of 20° C. or lower; and a cis-unsaturated primary amine (C) having 12 or more carbon atoms and a melting point of 30° C. or lower.

Abstract: A machine tool cuts a workpiece having an inclined or curved surface and includes a main spindle that holds and rotates the workpiece, a moving device that moves a cutting tool relative to the workpiece in a direction obtained by combining a Z direction parallel or substantially parallel with the axis of the main spindle, an X direction that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the Z direction and determines the amount of cutting of the workpiece, and a Y direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the Z direction and the X direction, and an angle setting mechanism that causes the direction of an edge of the cutting tool to match the inclined surface of the workpiece by inclining the direction of the edge with respect to the Z direction when seen from the Y direction in a state in which the direction of the edge is inclined with respect to the Z direction when seen from the X direction.

Abstract: A cutting tool holder of the kind in which the fastening screw (securing member) remains engaged with the tool holder seat during mounting/dismounting of the cutting insert. The seat is further formed with a support surface configured for engaging and providing support to the head portion of the securing member at least in the securing position.

Abstract: A cutting tool assembly includes a shank, a shim, a cutting insert, a clamping lever and a set screw. The shank has an insert pocket with a base wall, a lever receiving portion and a screw hole. The shim is disposed on the base wall of the insert pocket and has a shim bore. The cutting insert is disposed on the upper surface of the shim and has an insert bore. The clamping lever is received in the lever receiving portion and clamps the cutting insert to the insert pocket. The clamping lever has first and second extension portions. The set screw is fastened to the screw hole and has a screw head, a threaded portion and an engaging groove. The engaging groove of the set screw engages the second extension portion. The shim includes an avoiding portion for avoiding an interference with the screw head.

Abstract: A pipe boring apparatus for boring an end of a pipe. The pipe boring apparatus can include a driven rotating head and a pipe borer. The pipe borer can include a body that is connected to the rotating head, a floating section that is movable with respect to the body, a biasing member that is connected to the body and to the floating section, a follower for following an outer surface of a pipe, and a cutter for cutting the internal surface of the pipe. A space between the follower and the cutter may be fixed in use.

Abstract: A system for transferring a hole pattern from a first component to a second component configured to couple to the first component is provided including a contour plate having a drill plate with a hole pattern substantially identical to the hole pattern of the first component. The position of the drill plate is adjustable to match the hole pattern of the drill plate with the hole pattern of the first component. A slidable fixture configured to support the second component is movable to align the second component with the drill plate such that the hole pattern of the drill plate in relation to the second component matches the hole pattern of the drill plate in relation to the hole pattern of the first component. The hole pattern of the drill plate is used to create a hole pattern in the second component matching the hole pattern of the first component.

Abstract: The present application regards examples of a drill head system including a self-centering cutting tool insert to include a cutting face. In an example, the drill head system may also include a drill head to cut a trepan hole, where the drill head includes an insert pocket to hold the self-centering cutting tool insert to the drill head without a cartridge disposed between the self-centering cutting tool insert and the drill head. In an example, the drill head system also includes a fastener securing the self-centering cutting tool insert into the insert pocket of the drill head through the cutting face.

Abstract: The desktop milling machine with an ovate-shaped bridge is a desktop milling machine of the computer numerical control (CNC) type having a portion of the bridge or frame structure configured to alleviate bridge deflections and deformations that are caused during the high-speed milling processes. Preferably, the bridge has an ovate arch, or has a rear face having an ovate contour.

Abstract: A milling tool has a support member with an exterior surface with at least one receptacle, wherein the at least one receptacle has a bottom. At least one cutting element provided with a cutter having a cutting edge is positioned in the at least one receptacle. A three-point support is arranged between the at least one cutting element and the bottom of the at least one receptacle for positioning the cutting edge relative to the bottom of the at least one receptacle. The three-point support comprises three support pads arranged at a bottom side of the at least one cutting element and/or three projections arranged at the bottom of the at least one receptacle.

Abstract: A cutting tool for use in an orbital drilling machine may include a cutting-tool body having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of cutting edges supported on the cutting-tool body and distributed circumferentially around the cutting-tool body. Each cutting edge may extend along the longitudinal axis in a respective helix. A circumferential spacing may be defined between each pair of circumferentially adjacent cutting edges for each position of the longitudinal axis along which the cutting edges extend. The circumferential spacing between at least first and second cutting edges of the plurality of cutting edges may be different at spaced-apart first and second positions along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A cutting insert according to an embodiment has a lower surface, an upper surface, a side surface disposed between the lower surface and the upper surface, a pair of corner cutting edges located along an intersection of the upper surface and the side surface, and a major cutting edge located between the pair of corner cutting edges. The major cutting edge has a downwardly dented curvilinear part and a pair of straight parts respectively extending from the curvilinear part toward the pair of corner cutting edges in a side view. A portion of the curvilinear part located lowermost is close to one corner cutting edge in the side view.

Abstract: A cutting insert according to an embodiment has a polygonal shaped upper surface, a lower surface, a side surface, and a cutting edge. The cutting edge has an arc-shaped first corner edge, an arc-shaped second corner edge, and a wiper edge located between the first corner edge and the second corner edge. The wiper edge has an arc-shaped first wiper edge and an arc-shaped second wiper edge located closer to the second corner edge than the first wiper edge. R0<R1<R2 is satisfied wherein R1 is a radius of curvature of the first wiper edge, R2 is a radius of curvature of the second wiper edge, and R0 is a radius of curvature of each of the corner edges in a top view.

Abstract: A technical object is to provide an insert capable of preventing escaping of the insert from an assembly of the insert and a tool holder. To this purpose, the insert includes an insert body, and a holder fastening portion provided in the insert body to be fastened to the tool holder, in which the holder fastening portion includes one or more fastening holes formed through the insert body from an upper surface to a lower surface, and one or more locking holes formed by being recessed in a lower surface periphery of the insert body.

Abstract: A sawing apparatus for sawing workpieces of wood or plastic material has an adjustable frame part and a drive motor. A circular saw blade is operatively connected to the drive motor and drivable in rotation by the drive motor about an axis of rotation of the circular saw blade. The circular saw blade is adjustable from a ready position into a working position. The ready position is selected as a function of a position of the adjustable frame part such that the circular saw blade carries out a minimized angular travel as working travel during sawing. The adjustable frame part is adjustable at least in a vertical direction and/or in a horizontal direction transverse to the axis of rotation of the circular saw blade as a function of a cross-section of a workpiece to be sawed.

Abstract: A chain saw protector comprising a “U” shaped block of elastic material having a proximal base and first and second spaced apart mutually parallel legs, each having distal ends containing bores that are longitudinally aligned with each other where the bore in the second leg includes circumferential internal threads that engage a threaded shaft disposed in the bores, where the turning of the shaft brings the legs together for clamping a chain saw guide bar between the legs.

Abstract: A saw tooth mountable to a circular saw disc and including a body defining rear and front ends. In operation, the front end leads the rear end as the saw disc turns. A cutting tip extends from the body and defines a cutting tip base adjacent to the body and an opposed cutting edge. The cutting tip base is rearwardly provided relative to the cutting edge. An elongated gullet extends along the cutting tip substantially adjacent to the cutting tip base and defines opposed gullet first and second ends and a gullet longitudinal axis therebetween. A gullet nadir line extends longitudinally between the gullet first and second ends and joins locations along the gullet that are closest to the rear end at all longitudinal positions along the gullet. The gullet nadir line is closer to the rear end at the gullet first end than at the gullet second end.

Abstract: A saw tooth including a body defining substantially opposed rear and front ends and an axial centerline extending between the rear and front ends, the body defining side faces joined to each other by body edge sections, each side face and each body edge section extending between the rear and front ends; edge cutting tips extending from the body at the front end and facing the direction of advance, each edge cutting tip being in prolongation of a respective one of the body edge sections; and side cutting tips extending from the body and facing the direction of advance, each of the side cutting tips being provided at the front end between two adjacent ones of the edge cutting tips in prolongation of a respective one of the side faces.

Abstract: In a wire electric discharge machine, a discharge delay time is used to classify the inter-electrode state into three categories; a short-circuit state, small-gap state, and large-gap state. Based on this classification, the magnitude of a machining current supplied from a main discharge circuit is determined. If the discharge delay time is zero (i.e., if no electric discharge is generated) after the lapse of a predetermined time since the start of the application of a machining voltage to an inter-electrode gap by an auxiliary discharge circuit, the inter-electrode gap is determined to be short-circuited by machining chips. Thereupon, a short-circuit machining current is supplied from the main discharge circuit to the inter-electrode gap to remove the machining chips. In this way, establishment of a complete short-circuit state is prevented so that the machining efficiency is improved to increase the machining speed.

Abstract: The upper limit value for the axis feeding speed is set to the maximum speed that can secure the safety in a wire electrical discharge machine. In the case where the level of the process liquid is higher than a predetermined height, however, the upper limit value is made smaller. In order to prevent the process liquid from spilling to the outside of the process tank, the acceleration or the jerk may be changed instead of the axis feeding speed. In the case where the process liquid level is high, it is difficult for the process liquid to spill when the speed is adjusted slowly. In addition, the time constant may be increased or the instruction for speed may be changed from the linear type to the S shape type.

Abstract: A shell having a cylindrical body, a pair of tube sheets installed to divide the inside of the shell and provided with a plurality tube insertion holes formed therethrough so as to face each other, and a plurality of tubes respectively welded to the tube insertion holes facing each other to connect the tube sheets, and further including a plurality of tube joint members having the same diameter as that of the tubes and respectively inserted into the tube insertion holes of the tube sheets, and a plurality of ring wires manufactured by cutting a welding wire having a long length into pieces having a designated length and bending the pieces into a ring shape and inserted into the outer circumferences of both ends of the tubes, wherein ring-shaped tube sheet grooves spaced from the tube insertion holes by a designated distance in the outer circumferential surface are formed on each of facing surfaces of the tube sheets so as to form joint parts, both ends of the tubes are inserted into the tube insertion holes o

Abstract: A scarfing head (100) is proposed for scarfing a surface of a workpiece produced by casting, in particular a slab, with a gas outlet side (400) for gases for scarfing, wherein a flame for scarfing can be formed at the gas outlet side; with a plurality of cutting nozzles (120) which are individually fixed on the gas outlet side; and with a central gas conduit (110) in the scarfing head; wherein the plurality of cutting nozzles (120) are disposed around the central gas conduit (110); wherein the scarfing head (100) is so designed that heating gas (150) and heating oxygen (150) can exit through this plurality of cutting nozzles; and wherein the scarfing head (100) is further so arranged that scarfing oxygen can emerge through the central gas conduit (110). Thus a particularly high heating performance is achieved over a comparatively large area. The maintenance and cleaning of the scarfing head is significantly facilitated through the use of many individually fixed cutting nozzles.

Abstract: A weld backing assembly includes a backing tile configured to be applied to the underside of a seam between adjacent edges of two spaced-apart metal articles to be welded together. The backing tile is further configured to be aligned beneath the seam between the adjacent edges of the articles to support molten weld metal. The weld backing assembly also includes a consumable metal insert including an elongate strip embedded into a longitudinal center channel of the backing tile and one or more lateral strips embedded into corresponding lateral channels formed within the top surface of the backing tile.

Abstract: A welding system and method provide for generating a controlled waveform for welding power output, the waveform comprising a plurality of successive peak phases followed by a short circuit between a welding wire electrode and an advancing weld puddle. Each then present peak phase is regulated based upon at least the immediately preceding short circuit to control the short circuit that will occur following the then present peak phase. Some embodiments permit regulating at least one waveform phase based upon at least the immediately preceding short circuit to control the next short circuit that will occur, and regulating at least one short response phase based upon at least the immediately preceding short circuit to control the next short circuit that will occur.

Abstract: A welding system includes one or more sensors configured to detect data relating to one or more arc parameters for the welding system during a weld performed by the welding system. The welding system also includes control circuitry configured to receive the data corresponding to the one or more arc parameters from the one or more sensors, time synchronize the data corresponding to the one or more arc parameters with data relating to one or more welding parameters over a time period for the weld, present the data corresponding to the one or more arc parameters graphically over the time period via a user-viewable screen during the weld, and present the data corresponding to the one or more welding parameters graphically over the time period via the user-viewable screen during the weld.

Abstract: A wire feeding system, in particular for feeding a so called “cold wire” or wire with no tension nor signal running on its surface, in which the pulling or holding of the wire by the front wire feeder puts the rear pushing slave booster respectively into a pre-set active full motor torque or into a pre-set stand-by minimum motor torque, as needed. Alternatively, a wire feed system for feeding a so called “cold wire” or wire with no tension nor signal running on its surface, in which the rear pushing slave booster is remotely controlled by an optic sensor positioned nearby the torch and sensing the light of the torch welding or spraying arc.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for cladding at least one portion of a metal part, the process implementing a non-consumable electrode, a consumable metal filler wire, and an electric arc drawn between the electrode and the part so as to produce a molten metal puddle, the end of the metal filler wire being melted by the electric arc so as to achieve a transfer of molten metal from the filler wire to the molten metal puddle and to coat at least one portion of the part with a metal deposit. According to the invention, the process uses a shielding gas to shield the electrode, the filler wire and the puddle, with a gas mixture containing 20 to 70% helium, and argon for the rest (% by volume).

Abstract: Arc welding systems, apparatus and methods are for hardfacing are provided, including particle feeding apparatus. In one aspect the workpiece is moved in an oscillatory fashion while keeping the welding torch and the particulate delivery system stationary during at least a portion of welding pass. The welding torch and particulate delivery system may also be moved in a non-oscillatory fashion. Process speeds of about 18-30 in/min can be obtained with carbide incorporation of greater than 30% and uniform distribution.

Abstract: A method for welding tubes to tube insertion holes formed through tube sheets of a shell and tube heat exchanger, including forming ring-shaped tube sheet grooves, spaced from the tube insertion holes by a designated distance in the outer circumferential direction, on one surface of the tube sheet at the shell side, inserting tube joint members, having a cylindrical shape with the same diameter as that of the tubes, into the tube insertion holes of the tube sheet, manufacturing ring wires by cutting a welding wire having a long length into pieces having a designated length and bending the pieces into a ring shape so as to be inserted into the outer circumferences of the tubes, inserting the ring wire into the outer circumference of one end of the tube, inserting the one end of the tube into the tube sheet in one direction such that the one end of the tube contacts one end of the tube joint member facing the one end of the tube and is located within the recessed distance range of the tube sheet groove, perform

Abstract: Sandwich panels may include an intermediate thermoplastic layer disposed between two metallic cover layers. Some methods for welding a sandwich panel to a metallic component may involve heating a region of the sandwich panel with a preheating current so that the thermoplastic layer is softened and by compression of the cover layers is displaced from the welding region. A tack-welding current flowing between first and second welding electrodes may weld the cover layers together, and a welding current may be used to weld the metallic cover layers to the metallic component. In some cases, the first welding electrode may be in contact with one of the metallic cover layers, and the second welding electrode may be in contact with the metallic component. As a result, the sandwich panel may be joined to the metallic component in a short cycle time without blisters and faults arising in the sandwich component.

Abstract: A method of resistance spot welding a workpiece stack-up that includes a steel workpieces and an aluminum alloy workpiece that overlie and contact one another to establish a faying interface at a weld site is disclosed. The method comprises passing a DC electrical current through the workpiece stack-up at the weld site and causing the current to assume a conical flow pattern. The conical flow pattern has a path of current flow that expands along a direction leading from a first welding electrode in electrical communication with the steel workpiece towards a second welding electrode in electrical communication with the aluminum alloy workpiece.

Abstract: A method for producing a composite component includes providing a first component with a plastic layer, providing a second component which is formed at least partially from metal, and connecting the first component to the second component to form the composite component. At least one connecting element made of metal is positively connected to the first component and electrical resistance welding to the second component so that between the connecting element and the second component a welded connection is produced.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for free form fabrication of a three-dimensional work piece comprising (a) feeding raw material in a solid state to a first predetermined location; (b) depositing the raw material onto a substrate as a molten pool deposit under a first processing condition; (c) monitoring the molten pool deposit for a preselected condition; (d) comparing information about the preselected condition of the monitored molten pool deposit with a predetermined desired value for the preselected condition of the monitored molten pool deposit; (e) solidifying the molten pool deposit; (f) automatically altering the first processing condition to a different processing condition based upon information obtained from the comparing step (d); and repeating steps (a) through (f) at one or more second locations for building up layer by layer a three-dimensional work piece.

Abstract: A repair method that includes covering a damaged part of a member to be repaired with a repair material, and heating the repair material to a predetermined temperature to form an alloy layer. At least the surface of the member to be repaired is a first metal such as Cu. The repair material includes a second metal such as Sn. By the heating, the surface of the member to be repaired is integrally joined with a layer of an intermetallic compound and an alloy having a melting point higher than a melting point of either of the first metal or the second metal.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide an electrode bonding apparatus that performs ultrasonic vibration bonding on points of an electrode and is capable of reducing variations in a peel force among the points even when the electrode is bonded onto the substrate at a lower peel force. According to the present invention, a collecting electrode (20A, 20B) is disposed along a side (L1, L2) of a glass substrate (1) on a solar cell (ST1). Then, the glass substrate is pressed along the side in a region of the glass substrate between the side and an arrangement position of the collecting electrode. During application of the pressure, the ultrasonic vibration bonding is performed on the collecting electrode using an ultrasonic vibration tool (14).

Abstract: A friction welding tool having a main body and a first clamp for gripping a first weld component and a second clamp for gripping a second weld component, at least one of the clamps being movable with respect to the other to effect friction welding of the respective weld components. The friction welding tool includes a vibration damper arrangeable to absorb vibrations of the first weld component during the friction welding. The friction welding tool includes an anchor element arranged to couple the damper to the main body of the friction welding tool to transfer absorbed vibrations to the main body.

Abstract: An aluminum clad member is produced by: disposing a joining assistance member at a joint interface between an Al core member and an Al skin member, which joining assistance member being formed by crossing Al wires with each other in longitudinal and lateral directions to form a grid, and having a structure in which spot-like thick portions having a thickness of 0.2-3.2 mm are formed at intersections of the Al wires and arranged in the longitudinal and lateral directions so as to be spaced apart from each other by a distance of 0.2-13 mm; and performing a hot rolling operation with respect to the thus obtained stack of the Al core member, the Al skin member and the joining assistance member, by partially fixing together those members at their peripheral portions or without fixing together those members, such that the joint interfaces is communicated with an ambient air.

Abstract: A cutting method of a multilayer structure containing a brittle layer is provided. The cutting method includes: cutting the multilayer structure to form a cut edge; removing a material of the multilayer structure other than the brittle layer along the cut edge, wherein the material of the multilayer structure other than the brittle layer has a width ranging from 1 micron to 2 millimeter; and modifying an edge of the brittle layer remaining after removing the material of the multilayer structure other than the brittle layer by a laser beam.

Abstract: A hexagonal single crystal wafer is produced from a hexagonal single crystal ingot. A wafer producing method includes a separation start point forming step of applying a laser beam to the ingot to form a modified layer parallel to the upper surface of the ingot and cracks extending from the modified layer, thus forming a separation start point. The focal point of the laser beam is relatively moved in a first direction perpendicular to a second direction where a c-axis in the ingot is inclined by an off angle with respect to a normal to the upper surface. The off angle is formed between the upper surface and a c-plane perpendicular to the c-axis, thereby linearly forming the modified layer extending in the first direction. The laser beam is applied to the ingot with the direction of the polarization plane of the laser beam set to the first direction.

Abstract: A wafer is produced from an ingot having an end surface. The method includes an end surface measuring step of measuring undulation present on the end surface, and a separation plane forming step of setting the focal point of a laser beam inside the ingot at a predetermined depth from the end surface, which depth corresponds to the thickness of the wafer to be produced, and next applying the laser beam to the end surface to thereby form a separation plane containing a modified layer and cracks extending from the modified layer. The height of an objective lens for forming the focal point of the laser beam is controlled so that the focal point is set in the same plane to form the separation plane, according to the numerical aperture NA of the lens, the refractive index N of the ingot, and the undulation present on the end surface.

Abstract: A method for heat treating a hand tool wherein generally conical or pyramidal shaped laser beams are generated and have respective apexes or focal points of different thermal energies operably disposed with respect to differently configured portions and masses of the hand tool for simultaneous different effective heat treatment.

Abstract: A controller and a laser processing device having the controller, capable of reducing time for switching feedback control to gap control, and capable of moving a processing nozzle relative to a workpiece so that an amount of change in acceleration when switching is minimized. The controller has: a deceleration start distance calculating part which calculates a deceleration start distance corresponding to a distance between the nozzle and the workpiece when deceleration of approach motion of the nozzle is started; a first velocity command generating part which generates a first velocity command value based on the deceleration start distance, a predetermined maximum approach velocity and deceleration rate; a second velocity command generating part which generates a second velocity command value based on a gap target value and a feedback value; and a velocity command switching part which selects one of the first and second velocity command values.

Abstract: The invention pertains to apparatus and method for precision thermal processing of a body. An energy beam emanating from an energy beam source is scanned across the surface of the body, creating heat input through a moving spot on the surface of said body. By means described herein to condition the spot shape and flux profile, the flux profile within the spot is configured to approximate a thermal solution obtained by solving a boundary condition of the third kind imposed upon the moving spot associated with the beam as it is scanned across the body. In this manner a predetermined surface temperature profile is imposed on the surface of the body within a moving, locally heated spot of predetermined shape and size.

Abstract: A laser processing system able to realize both reduction of the power consumption and shortening of the cycle time. The laser processing system is provided with a laser oscillator, a laser processing machine which has a movement mechanism which makes the irradiation position of the laser light on the workpiece move, a mode switching part which switches an operation mode of the laser oscillator between a standard-standby mode and an energy saving mode, a movement controller controlling the movement mechanism so as to place the irradiation position at a process start point placed at a non-product region of the workpiece, and a switching controller controlling the mode switching part to switch the operation mode from the energy saving mode to the standard-standby mode when placing the irradiation position at the process start point.

Abstract: An operation of a processing machine with redundant actuators is controlled according to a reference trajectory by selecting, from a set of points forming a segment of the reference trajectory to be processed for a period of time, a subset of points corresponding to a fraction of the period of time. The subset of points is selected such that the redundant actuators are capable to position the worktool at each point in the subset within the period of time and are capable to maintain the worktool at the last point of the subset after the period of time while satisfying constraints on motion of the redundant actuators. The segment of the reference trajectory is modified in the time domain and the control inputs for controlling the motion of the redundant actuators are determined using the modified segment of the reference trajectory.

Abstract: The invention relates machines and methods for separative machining of workpieces. The machines include a first movement unit to move the workpiece in a first direction, a second movement unit including a machining head to emit the processing beam, and a third movement unit. The second movement unit moves the machining head in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to direct the processing beam onto the workpiece. The machines include a first workpiece support unit including a first workpiece-bearing face and a second workpiece support unit including a second workpiece-bearing face spaced apart by a gap. One or more of at least a part of the first workpiece support unit, at least a part of the second workpiece support unit and at least one support element are configured to move with respect to one another in the first direction to vary the width of the gap.

Abstract: An embodiment is to provide a laser light irradiation apparatus and a laser peening treatment method, by which even a member to be processed, existing in a narrow portion, can be easily processed by laser peening. The laser light irradiation apparatus 1 according to the embodiment includes: an optical fiber 2 through which laser light is guided; a condensing lens 3 that is placed on one end of the optical fiber, the condensing lens and the optical fiber defining the light path of the laser light; a guide 4 that retains the optical fiber; and a movement mechanism 5 for changing the position of the optical fiber, wherein the light path of the laser light guided through the optical fiber is emitted at an angle changed to more than 0° and less than 90° with respect to the central axis of the optical fiber by the condensing lens.

Abstract: A laser welding method using a laser welding jig having a plurality of pressing parts, includes a step of placing a second member on a first member; a step of pressing the second member with the plurality of pressing parts in a direction toward the first member to thereby form a gap between the first member and the second member at most 300 ?m; and a first welding step of laser-welding the first member and the second member by irradiating on a surface of the second member at a location between the pressing parts with laser light while conducting the step of pressing.