Abstract: The copper pipe bending tool is a cylindrical tool that is inserted into the open end of a copper pipe or copper tubing and which provides a grasping point and leverage over the end of the piping. Using the copper pipe bending tool makes it easier to move or bend the piping to align it with a specific fitting where it needs to connect. The tool may provide an interface area for copper pipes of several different standard sizes. The tool may also provide a texture grasping area to help prevent the user's hand from slipping off of the tool while in use.

Abstract: An exemplary die assembly includes, among other things, a first die having a male bead, a second die having a female bead configured to receive the male bead to hold a workpiece between the first die and the second die, and a step in the male bead, the female bead, or both. An exemplary forming method includes, among other things, holding a workpiece between a male bead of a first die and a female bead of a second die, wherein the male bead, the female bead, or both have at least one step.

Abstract: A punch die is provided. The punch die includes a punch body, a punch guide configured to removably receive the punch body therein, a retainer collar detachably coupled to the punch guide, a punch head mated to the punch body to regulate a position of the punch body, and a spring interposed between the punch head and the retainer collar. The punch guide includes a peripheral slot defined on the internal periphery of the punch guide such that the peripheral slot intersects a keyway of the punch guide. The retainer collar includes a cylindrical projection that extends into the inner periphery of the punch guide and an engaging projection defined on an outer periphery of the cylindrical projection. The engaging projection is rotatable to engage the peripheral slot and to be releasably aligned with the keyway.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a two-piece food can having improved corrosion resistance is provided, wherein the two-piece food can using a metal sheet coated with a thermoplastic resin and having annular uneven beads and/or a bottom rim. After forming a bottomed cylindrical can body by drawing and ironing, by heating at a temperature higher than the melting temperature of the thermoplastic resin for a predetermined time before forming uneven beads and/or a bottom rim to the can body and quenching within a predetermined time after heating, the inner resin coating hardly peel off during the following formation of uneven beads and/or the bottom rim. As a result, a two-piece food can having excellent corrosion resistance may be obtained.

Abstract: A twist application device, including a feeder (1) for feeding conductor ends (2a . . . 2c) of at least two conductors (3a . . . 3c), and a rotatably mounted twist application head (4) for twisting the conductors (3a . . . 3c). The twist application device also includes a controller (7), connected with a drive (8) for first clamping jaws (5a . . . 5f) of the feeder (1), and is equipped for control of the latter. The distance (a) between clamped conductor ends (2a . . . 2c) is set at an adjustable value before the transfer of the conductor ends (2a . . . 2c) from the feed device (1) into the twist application head (4). A method of twisting at least two conductors (3a . . . 3c), in which the referred-to distance (a) is set at an adjustable value before clamping of the conductor ends (2a . . . 2c) in the second jaws (6a, 6b) of the twist application head (4).

Abstract: A spring forming device in which the steel wire can be continuously cut off without stopping the feeding of the steel wire in cutting, and in which the steel wire can be uniformly heated, is provided. The spring forming device has a wire supplying mechanism for supplying a steel wire using a plurality of feeding rollers, a heating mechanism for heating the steel wire, a coiling mechanism for forming in a coil state the heated steel wire, and a cutting mechanism for cutting the steel wire coiled at a given number of turns off the steel wire remained backward. A cutting blade of the cutting mechanism follows tracks having a speed Va that moves to the receiving blade and a speed Vc that moves in an axial direction of the coiled steel wire, in cutting of the steel wire.

Abstract: The workpiece conveying apparatus for a pressing machine includes: a rotary base rotatable about a substantially perpendicular axis; a first arm pivotally supported by the rotary base so as to be rockable within a substantially perpendicular plane; a coupler pivotally supported on a distal end side of the first arm so as to be rockable; a second arm having a proximal end side that is mounted to the coupler so as to be rockable; a cross bar mounted to a distal end side of the second arm so as to be rockable within a plane substantially parallel to a rocking plane of the second arm; and a workpiece holding device mounted to the cross bar.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a horseshoe, wherein the following steps are carried out: a) at least partially viewing the hoof (16) to be shod in order to determine the required measurements for producing a shoe that fits the hoof, b) processing the measurements in order to deduce a provisional shape of the horseshoe, c) recording definitive parameters of the horseshoe, and d) producing the horseshoe on the basis of the definitive parameters. Before step b), the potential existence of at least one area of inflammation and/or at least one area of reduced blood circulation of the foot of the horse, of which the hoof is to receive the shoe, is determined by an infrared detector (17), and in step b), the existence of at least one such area is taken into account in order to determine the provisional shape and/or the structure of the horseshoe.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mineral composition for the preparation of foundry molds, comprising: (a) from 20% to 90% by weight of plaster, (b) from 10% to 80% by weight of a mineral component based on silica and/or alumina, and (c) from 0.5% to 4.8%, preferably from 1.5% to 4.5% and in particular between 2% and 4.5% by weight, of a mineral powder having a thermal conductivity (?), at 20° C., of greater than 15 W/(m·K) and a specific surface area of greater than 10 m2/g, these percentages being relative to the total weight of the sum of the components (a), (b) and (c).

Abstract: To provide an apparatus for reclaiming foundry sand that has a fluidized bed that prevents slits from being clogged.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-stage method for producing one or multiple molded bodies, the method comprising the following steps: a) constructing one or multiple molded bodies in layers by repeatedly applying particulate material by the 3D printing method; b. a presolidification step for achieving a presolidification of the molded body; c. an unpacking step, wherein the unsolidified particulate material is separated from the presolidified molded body; d. a final solidification step, in which the molded body receives its final strength due to the action of thermal energy. The invention also relates to a device which may be used for this method.

Abstract: A core for a turbine airfoil casting according to an embodiment includes: a center plenum section; and a plurality of outer passage sections; wherein the center plenum section includes at least one boss extending outwardly from the center plenum to an outer profile of the core.

Abstract: A monitoring device (6) records variables that are characteristic of operating parameters of a continuous casting mold (1) for casting a metal strand (2). The monitoring device (6) records at least some of the characteristic variables by independently performing measurements during the casting of the metal strand (2). The monitoring device (6) forms groups (G1, G2) of operating parameters and independently tests whether the operating parameters of the respective group (G1, G2) satisfy a respective predetermined stability criterion. The monitoring device (6) accepts the operating parameters into a database (12). The monitoring device (6) determines those data records (11) contained in the database (12) that coincide in their input variables with the basic operating parameters and determines admissible operating parameter ranges for supplementary operating parameters.

Abstract: A processing system and method for processing a cast raw casting has a spray system for cooling the raw casting. The spray system has at least one nozzle device for at least temporally, locally, or quantitatively variable application of a free-flowing medium to at least one section of the raw casting. The processing system also has a temperature measuring device for measuring the temperature on at least one section of the raw casting and a monitoring device for controlling and adjusting the nozzle device as a function of the measured temperature.

Abstract: A method for the production of castings which are permanently provided with readable information. An identification element, which has an information surface, provided with information, and a casting surface which is assigned to the casting and also provided with information, is arranged on a casting mould surface assigned to a mould cavity of a casting mould so that the information surface is covered, while the casting surface is exposed in the mould cavity. A metal melt is poured into the mould, so that, during casting or solidification of the metal melt, a firmly bonded, form-fit or force-fit connection of the identification element to the casting is produced. The information on the casting surface is reproduced in the manner of a stamp on surface of the casting. The casting is then removed from the mould and fettled.

Abstract: A metal casting installation comprises a ladle comprising an inner nozzle in fluid communication with the through-opening of a top gate plate. The installation contains a ladle shroud coupling assembly comprising a support frame comprising a bottom gate plate and a passage. The support frame is slidingly coupled to a planar bottom surface of a top gate plate of the inner nozzle of the ladle, such that the opening of the bottom gate plate can be brought in or out of registry with the through-opening of the top gate plate. A drawer frame can be can be moved through the passage of the support frame. The bore of a specifically designed ladle shroud capable of being reversibly coupled to latches can be brought into or out of registry with the opening of the bottom gate plate.

Abstract: A pump having a motor, a pump base with a pump chamber, a tangential discharge and an outlet in the pump base. A riser tube extends upward from the outlet and terminates at or above a launder in order to move molten metal out of a vessel with relatively little turbulence.

Abstract: A jetting device includes: a fluid chamber connected to a nozzle and containing an electrically conductive liquid to be jetted out through the nozzle; a magnetic field generator arranged to create a magnetic field in the fluid chamber; a pair of electrodes contacting the electrically conductive liquid in the fluid chamber; and a controller arranged to control a flow of an electric current through the electrodes and the electrically conductive liquid. The magnetic field generator is arranged to create a rotating magnetic field in the fluid chamber.

Abstract: A conductive paste contains at least a conductive powder, glass frit, and an organic vehicle. The conductive powder contains a noble metal powder such as an Ag powder and a base metal powder containing Cu and/or Ni, and the base metal powder has a specific surface area of less than 0.5 m2/g. The content of the base metal powder with respect to the total amount of the conductive powder is, in ratio by weight, 0.1 to 0.3 when the base metal powder contains Cu as its main constituent, 0.1 to 0.2 when the base metal powder contains Ni as its main constituent, and 0.1 to 0.25 when the base metal powder contains a mixed powder of Cu and Ni as its main constituent.

Abstract: Disclosed are interfacially modified particulate and polymer composite material for use in injection molding processes, such as metal injection molding and additive process such as 3D printing. The composite material is uniquely adapted for powder metallurgy processes. Improved products are provided under process conditions through surface modified powders that are produced by extrusion, injection molding, additive processes such as 3D printing, Press and Sinter, or rapid prototyping.

Abstract: Disclosed is a one pot process for the synthesis of ultra-small uniform-sized (1-3 nm) transition metal nanoparticles with shape tunability. These nanoparticles have uses in various fields, including catalysis and fuel cells.

Abstract: A plate member of a cutting tool has two side surfaces being substantially rectangular in shape, a top surface and a bottom surface extending in a direction along a long side of the rectangle, and two end surfaces in a short-side direction. A cutting edge is located on the side of one of the end surfaces. One of the side surfaces is a curved surface bulging outward. The bottom surface has an inclined portion which is inclined with respect to the top surface. The plate member is held by a tool block having a bottom restraining surface which comes into contact with the bottom surface, and is fastened to the tool block by using a clamp member having a top restraining surface which comes into contact with the top surface of the plate member.

Abstract: A toolholder includes a pocket assembly having a nest section and a clamp section. An inverted nest is mounted in the nest section and includes an insert-receiving pocket for accommodating a cutting insert mounted therein. A clamping wedge is mounted in the clamp section in such a way that the cutting insert engages the clamping wedge. The inverted nest includes one or more coolant grooves that cooperate with the cutting insert for directing super critical carbon dioxide to a cutting tool/workpiece interface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a machine tool, in particular a hand held machine tool, which has a tool receiving device that is movable, in particular in an oscillating manner, around an output shaft (2). The tool receiving device is designed to hold a tool device on the machine tool in such a manner that the output shaft and a tool rotation axis substantially coincide. The tool receiving device has at least one torque transmission region (9) and a holding device (4a, 4b). In order to transmit a driving force to the tool device, the torque transmission region has at least two output area regions (9a) that are arranged at a distance from said output shaft and each have a multiplicity of surface points. Here, the tangent planes to said surface points are inclined in regard to an axial plane which includes said output shaft. Furthermore, the tangent planes are inclined in regard to a radial plane which extends perpendicularly to the output shaft.

Abstract: A drill chuck assembly. The drill chuck assembly includes a rapid change mechanism configured to retain a drill bit shank inserted therein. The drill chuck assembly includes a body having a bore with a trilobe cross-section that is configured to receive a triangular and hexagonally shaped drill bit shank, interchangeably. The bore includes a slot positioned in each lobe that slidably contains a detent ball therein. A collar is affixed annularly around the body and defines a channel extending around the body. A sleeve is slidably mounted around the body. The sleeve includes a tapered end that is slidably disposed within the channel and has circular apertures that are in communication with the slots of the bore for reception of the detent balls. The sleeve is spring biased towards the collar, which forces the detent balls against an angular wall within the channel.

Abstract: Two cylinder heads are disposed side by side. Upper side intake valve holes of one of the cylinder heads and upper side exhaust valve holes of the other of the cylinder heads are simultaneously machined by a multi-spindle head integrally including intake side tools and exhaust side tools. After moving the one of the cylinder heads upward by a pitch of the intake valves and moving the other of the cylinder heads upward by a pitch of the exhaust valves, remaining intake valve holes of the one of the cylinder heads and remaining exhaust valve holes of the other of the cylinder heads are simultaneously machined.

Abstract: The modular carrier tool (2), in particular drilling tool, extends along a central longitudinal axis (4) in axial direction (6) and comprises a carrier (8) as well as a tool head (10) that can be reversibly mounted on the front-end of the carrier (8). The carrier (8) has a head retainer (14) for the insertion of the tool head (10) as well as clamping webs (24), which radially delimit the head retainer (14) and also have bearing surfaces (28). The tool head (10) comprises clamping surfaces (35) extending in axial direction as well as underhead bearing surfaces (34). In a mounted state the clamping webs (24) clamp the tool head (10) in radial direction to the clamping surfaces (35) and the underhead bearing surfaces (34) are pressed against the bearing surfaces (28).

Abstract: A cutting tool based on an embodiment of the present invention is provided with a cylindrical main body section which is made of a cobalt-containing cemented carbide alloy and is rotatable about the central axis thereof, a cutting edge which is provided at at least one of the tip and the periphery of the main body section, a chip discharge groove which extends from the cutting edge toward the rear end of the main body section, and a coating layer which is made of diamond and covers the cutting edge, wherein the cobalt content of the surface of the main body section at the part coated with the coating layer is less than the cobalt content of the surface of the main body section at parts other than the part coated with the coating layer.

Abstract: A rotary cutting tool with a longitudinal axis includes a shank portion and a cutting portion defining a length of cut. The cutting portion includes a plurality of blades separated by flutes extending along the length of cut. A first blade forms a first helix angle with respect to the longitudinal axis at the cutting tip. A second blade adjacent the first blade forms a second, different helix angle with respect to the longitudinal axis at the cutting tip. A third blade adjacent the second blade forms a third, different helix angle with respect to the longitudinal axis at the cutting tip. The first, second and third helix angles deviate by at least 2 degrees. The cutting edges of the first, second and third blades have unequal indexing.

Abstract: C-type tubing cutters are described. The cutters include a cutting wheel that can be easily and quickly replaced. In many versions of the cutters, the cutting wheel can be replaced without disassembly of the housing and/or without the use of tools.

Abstract: A method of forming a fracture start portion of a con rod for forming fracture start portions of a con rod at opposing positions in an inner peripheral surface of a large end of the con rod made of metal, includes a first step of forming a groove portion at a position corresponding to the fracture start portion by using a first insert tip with a large tip end and a second step of forming the fracture start portion, which has become a V-shaped groove, by machining a bottom portion of the groove portion smaller by using a second insert tip having a tip end smaller than the first insert tip.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wafer slicing apparatus which cuts a silicon ingot to fabricate a silicon wafer, and more specifically, a silicon wafer slicing apparatus cutting the silicon ingot using wire discharge machining is disclosed. The present invention provides a silicon wafer slicing apparatus using wire discharge machining comprising: a water tank which contains an electrolyte; a cutting wire which has a cutting section dipped into the water tank and is transferred by a wire driving means; an ingot transferring unit which includes an electrode on which a silicon ingot, an object to be cut, is fixed, and moves the silicon ingot up and down within the cutting section of the cutting wire; an electrolyte circulating means which circulates and refines the electrolyte stored in the water tank; and a power supply unit which supplies a source voltage to the electrode of the ingot transferring unit and the cutting wire.

Abstract: A rotary table device of an electric discharge machine is provided with a face plate on which a workpiece is placed, a power unit that generates a driving force for rotating the face plate, and a speed reducer connected to the power unit and configured to reduce the rotational speed of the power unit. The respective centers of rotation of the power unit and the speed reducer are disposed on one and the same axis, and a rotation detector for detecting a rotational position of the face plate is disposed in a space defined by an outer peripheral portion of the speed reducer and an inner wall of a housing of the rotary table device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method that includes picking up a plate with a nozzle, the plate including at least one opening to allow air to flow therethrough. The method includes picking up a die with the nozzle such that the plate is located between the nozzle and the die. The method includes placing the die and the plate onto a device, substrate or another die such that the plate is located on top of the die. The method includes heating the device, substrate or another die and the die in a heat chamber while the plate remains on top of the die to permanently attach the die to the device, substrate or another die. Further disclosed herein is an assembly system configured to perform a method that utilizes the plate and die combination for attaching the die to a device, substrate or another die by heating.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise a system and method to weld or join coated materials using an arc welding system alone, or in combination with a hot wire system, where the arc welding system uses a welding current having an AC current portion to build a droplet for transfer to the workpiece. In further embodiments, the workpiece is coated with a material, such as zinc, and the arc welding system uses an AC welding waveform which is capable of welding coated workpieces with little or no porosity or spatter and can achieve enhanced performance. Additional embodiments use an enhanced electrode to provide optimum porosity performance. Such embodiments allow for the welding of coated material with little or no porosity and spatter, and at a high welding rate.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise a system and method to weld or join coated materials using an arc welding system alone, or in combination with a hot wire system, where the arc welding system uses a welding current having an AC current portion to build a droplet for transfer to the workpiece. In further embodiments, the workpiece is coated with a material, such as zinc, and the arc welding system uses an AC welding waveform which is capable of welding coated workpieces with little or no porosity or spatter and can achieve enhanced performance. Additional embodiments use an enhanced electrode to provide optimum porosity performance. Such embodiments allow for the welding of coated material with little or no porosity and spatter, and at a high welding rate.

Abstract: An arc welding apparatus includes a conductor tube assembly that has a collar assembly with a collar body that is biased by a spring. A consumable assembly is mechanically secured to the conductor tube and displaces the collar body and the collar body imparts a biasing force against the consumable assembly pretensioning the consumable assembly on the conductor tube assembly.

Abstract: Welding machine for edge-side connection at the edge of overlapping material webs, wherein the materials are connectable to one another under the effect of heat and subsequent pressure, with a chassis on which at least guide rollers, a heating device and at least one pressure roller are arranged. The heating device has a cantilevered contact heating element that can be inserted laterally between the edges of the material webs, wherein the chassis is driven by an electric motor which is arranged on a longitudinal leg of the chassis. The electric motor according to the invention is formed as a brushless DC motor and the reduction gear as a planetary gear, which are united by a drum drive motor. In this case, the direct current motor is preferably a disk rotor motor. The chassis has a lateral leg which is adjustable perpendicularly to the working direction relative to the longitudinal leg.

Abstract: A method of resistance spot welding a steel workpiece and an aluminum or aluminum alloy (“aluminum”) workpiece together includes several steps. One step involves providing a workpiece stack-up with a steel workpiece and an aluminum workpiece. Another step involves attaching a cover over a weld face of a welding electrode. The cover is made of a metal material with an electrical resistivity that is greater than an electrical resistivity of a material of the welding electrode. Yet another step involves performing multiple individual resistance spot welds to the workpiece stack-up. The cover abuts the aluminum workpiece while the individual resistance spot welds are performed. And another step involves removing the cover from the welding electrode after the individual spot welds are performed.

Abstract: A first member has through holes. A linking member has a first holding portion and a second holding portion that hold an inner circumferential face and outer circumferential face of the first member; and engaging protrusions are formed on the first holding portion and second holding portion. The engaging protrusions are inserted into the through holes, and joined by joining portions formed thereupon. An attaching portion continues to the base edges of the first holding portion and second holding portion via a first supporting portion and a second supporting portion.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing and measuring the geometry of at least a part of a component, and a method of manufacturing a component, both include providing a powder layer to a melt region; selectively melting the powder layer using an energy source, the melted powder subsequently solidifying to form a solid layer; scanning the melt region, including the solid layer, using a scanning electron beam; detecting backscattered electrons resulting from the interaction of the scanning electron beam with the melt region; determining the geometry of the solid layer from the detected backscattered electrons; and storing data relating to the determined geometry of the solid layer. The methods may also include adjusting parameters of the steps of providing a powder layer and/or selectively melting the powder layer to avoid future recurring errors, or generating a virtual 3-D model of the manufactured component, using the stored data.

Abstract: A bonding target member 1 having a solid bonding material 3 with aluminum as a main component is interposed between a metal member 2 and a ceramic member 4 and an elastic member 12 are pressurized by a pressurizing section 13 and a bonding tool section 15 of a resonator 14 in a vertical direction. The bonding tool section 15 of the resonator 14 resonates with sound vibration or ultrasound vibration transmitted from an oscillator 16. An interfacial portion between the metal member 2 and the bonding material 3 with aluminum as a main component and an interfacial portion between the bonding material 3 with aluminum as a main component and the ceramic member 4 each receive pressurization and vibration energy to be bonded together. The metal member 2 and the ceramic member 4 can be bonded together at ordinary temperature in the atmosphere with the bonding material 3 with aluminum as a main component.

Abstract: An ultrasonic welding device including a sonotrode having a central weld region adjacent to an anvil, a first converter providing mechanical vibrations to a proximal end of the sonotrode, a second converter providing mechanical vibrations to a distal end of the sonotrode in a direction opposite to the first converter, a power supply delivering electrical energy to each of the first and second converters, and the mechanical vibrations received by the sonotrode from the first converter being in phase with the mechanical vibrations received from the second converter.

Abstract: A method for welding together pieces which form a curved or angled end product using a friction welding process. The method includes: providing first and second pieces which together define the end product geometry, each piece including an end product geometry portion and a sacrificial weld portion, the sacrificial weld portion forming a dog-leg relative to the end product geometry portion and terminating in a planar weld interface surface. The pieces are arranged with their planar weld interface surfaces together at a weld surface interface and the sacrificial weld portions in coaxial alignment. Mechanical friction is applied between the planar weld interface surfaces sufficient to plastically deform the sacrificial weld portions. An axial force is applied along the co-axis of the sacrificial weld portions sufficient to upset the sacrificial weld portions and bring together the end product geometry portions. The sacrificial geometry portions are removed to provide the end product.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a blisk drum is described. Disc forging for inertia welding together are provided with sacrificial material whose shape and position is selectively provided such that, on completion of the inertia welding process, integral blades can be fashioned from the sacrificial material. Other components such as buckets and balancing lands may also be provided from the sacrificial material.

Abstract: An underwater welding apparatus includes: an underwater welding head provided underwater and having, at its leading end, a nozzle section from which laser light is emitted; a shied cover formed of an elastic member and provided around the nozzle section so as to form, at the leading end of the underwater welding head, a space where water is excluded by shield gas; and an expansion/contraction member having a discharge hole for discharging water and shield gas containing metal dust particles from an inside of the shield cover, the discharge hole being increased in diameter as pressure inside the shield cover rises, while being reduced in diameter as the pressure inside the shield cover falls.

Abstract: A cylindrical workpiece cutting apparatus is provided with a holder in which a metal made cylindrical workpiece is mounted on an outer periphery of the holder and which is adapted to hold the workpiece over an entire length of the workpiece; annular recesses formed on the outer periphery of the holder at a predetermined interval; a laser outputting part provided at a position opposed to the holder and adapted to output laser beam to the workpiece; and a cover portion provided on surfaces of the annular recesses and adapted to prevent attachment of metal particles which are scattered during cutting the workpiece by the laser beam.

Abstract: A laser welding device that laser-welds a lid to an open portion of a casing emits a laser beam to a joining subject portion including an inner side surface of the casing that defines the open portion and a peripheral surface of the lid that faces the inner side surface of the casing. The inner side surface of the casing and the peripheral surface of the lid are arranged to form a groove in between, and include inclined surfaces that function as a sliding portion. The groove portion has a groove width that is variable by sliding the sliding portion. A detection unit detects the groove width of the groove portion. An adjustment force application unit applies force for adjusting the groove width to the casing. A control unit controls the force applied by the adjustment force application unit in accordance with the groove width detected by the detection unit.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for laser-welding sheet metal plates that have an aluminum-silicon containing pre-coat layer. The pre-coated sheet metal plates are arranged one relative to another such that an edge of one of the plates is adjacent to and in contact with an edge of the other one of the plates, and a laser-welded joint is formed along the adjacent edges of the pre-coated plates. In particular the joint is formed absent removing the aluminum-silicon containing layer from along the adjacent edges, such that aluminum from the aluminum-silicon containing layer enters into the melt pool that is formed. Additionally, an alloying material is introduced into the melt pool during forming the laser-welded joint and forms a compound with at least some of the aluminum in the melt pool.

Abstract: A process is described for laser welding a sheet metal workpiece having an aluminum-silicon containing pre-coat layer disposed on at least one major surface thereof, and having first and second opposite side edges. The sheet metal workpiece is arranged such that the first and second side edges are in contact with one another and such that the at least one major surface faces outwardly. A closed tube-shaped product is obtained by forming a laser-weld joint between the first and second side edges. In particular the laser-weld joint is formed absent removing the aluminum-silicon containing layer from along the adjacent edges, such that aluminum from the aluminum-silicon containing layer enters into the melt pool that is formed. An alloying material is introduced into the melt pool during laser welding and forms a compound with at least some of the aluminum in the melt pool.