Abstract: The invention relates to methods for laser welding a first and a second workpiece portion with a laser beam that is guided using a laser machining head along a joining gap formed between the workpiece portions, in which method the laser beam is focused and a filler is lined up with the joining gap. At least one gap width of the joining gap of the workpiece portions to be welded is detected and evaluated along the course of the joining gap and compared with at least a first and a second gap measurement. If a detected gap width is within the first gap measurement, the feeding of the filler to the joining gap is stopped and a beam profile of the laser beam is set with a point or annular focus, and if a detected gap width is within the second gap measurement, a feeding of the filler is actuated.

Abstract: A metal-oxide electron-beam evaporation source including a variable temperature control device according to the present invention includes: a crucible configured to store a deposition material which is formed of a metal oxide and over which an electron beam is directly scanned; N heating units provided in an outer portion of the crucible, dividing the crucible into N regions, and provided for N regions, respectively; and a control unit configured to control the N heating units so that a temperature of an upper region of the crucible is maintained to be higher than that of a lower region of the crucible to reduce a temperature difference between a region over which the electron beam is scanned and a region over which the electron beam is not scanned.

Abstract: A method for assembling at least two parts includes using transparent welding using an energy input beam which travels a trajectory in a closed loop. The trajectory of the energy input beam and/or at least one parameter of the energy input beam is configured so that the weld bead has mechanical and/or geometrical characteristics that are substantially constant over all its length. A method for assembling a primary structure of an aircraft pylon which uses this assembly method to link the panels of the primary structure to one another, a primary structure of an aircraft pylon thus obtained, as well as an aircraft comprising at least one such primary structure is also described.

Abstract: According to an example embodiment, a machine includes, among other things, a housing and a support situated for supporting a work piece in a selected position relative to the housing. A radiation source is situated for emitting a beam of radiation in the housing. A magnetic field generator is situated for generating a magnetic field in the housing near the support. The magnetic field has a selectively variable strength at a plurality of locations in the housing for selectively steering the beam of radiation toward the support.

Abstract: A modified region is accurately formed at a desirable position with respect to a laser light irradiation surface of an object to be processed. When an average difference ? has a value exceeding a predetermined threshold during trace recording, a particle segment Z including a line segment S where the average difference ? exceeds the predetermined threshold is defined. This determines that a particle exists on a line to cut 5 and randomly reflects measuring laser light, whereby a segment where the presence of the particle affects a control signal in a line segment to cut is detected as the particle segment Z. Correcting the control signal in the particle segment Z inhibits a converging lens from moving more than necessary because of an error included in the signal value under the influence of the presence of the particle, thus allowing the converging point of the processing laser light to accurately follow a front face 3.

Abstract: According to an example embodiment, a machine includes, among other things, a housing and a support situated for supporting a work piece in a selected position relative to the housing. A radiation source is situated for emitting a beam of radiation in the housing. A magnetic field generator is situated for generating a magnetic field in the housing near the support. The magnetic field has a selectively variable strength at a plurality of locations in the housing for selectively steering the beam of radiation toward the support.

Abstract: A system is provided for heating or cooling discrete, linearly conveyed substrates having a gap between a trailing edge of a first substrate and a leading edge of a following substrate in a conveyance direction. The system includes a chamber, and a conveyor operably configured within the chamber to move the substrates through at a conveyance rate. A plurality of individually controlled temperature control units, for example heating or cooling units, are disposed linearly within the chamber along the conveyance direction. A controller is in communication with the temperature control units and is configured to cycle output of the temperature control units from a steady-state temperature output as a function of the spatial position of the conveyed substrates within the chamber relative to the temperature control units so as to decrease temperature variances in the substrates caused by movement of the substrates through the chamber.

Abstract: A system for heat treating a weld joint includes a beam generator that produces a beam directed at the weld joint. A beam splitter between the beam generator and the weld joint diverts a portion of the beam along a path. A reflector receives the diverted portion of the beam and directs it to a point at the weld joint. A modulator in the path controls passage of the diverted portion of the beam. A method for heat treating a weld joint includes directing a beam at the weld joint, diverting a portion of the beam, and reflecting the diverted portion of the beam in the direction of the weld joint. The method further includes modulating the diverted portion of the beam to control the passage of the diverted portion of the beam.

Abstract: A gemstone positioning fixture, including a base and a cover plate applied over the base. The cover plate has apertures, one for each gem to be worked on. At least one biasing member is positioned beneath the plate. The biasing member applies an upward force to the gems to contact the cover plate. The plate is formed of materials that conduct electricity, so as to conduct any charged particles away from the gem work surface.

Abstract: A method for detecting abrasion of both a moving side electrode (2) and a fixing side electrode (3) of a stationary type welding gun in which the moving side electrode (2) and the fixing side electrode (3) opposed to the moving side electrode (2) are provided and a workpiece (W) held by a robot (R) is to be welded, wherein reference positions of electrode ends of both of the electrodes (2) and (3) are read by an electrode end detecting device (7) attached to the robot (R), positions of the electrode ends are then detected by the electrode end detecting device (7) in a middle of welding, and amounts of abrasion of both of the electrodes (2) and (3) are calculated from a difference between the reference positions.

Abstract: A method of forming a welded component by electron beam welding, and the resulting welded assembly. The method is particularly directed to the welding of a component whose subcomponents are formed of dissimilar metals, with the result that an electron beam used to weld the subcomponents is prone to being deflected away from the contact surface interface between the subcomponents and into one of the subcomponents as it passes through the interface. The method is also suitable for welding applications in which the interface between the subcomponents has an arcuate shape. The method involves magnetically steering the electron beam so that the beam is caused to follow the desired path through the interface.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for hardening a metal article, comprising a holding device, an energy beam generator pointed at the holding device for directing energy beams at the holding device, and a movement system supporting the holding device, wherein the movement system varies the orientation of the metal article relative to the energy beam generator. The apparatus includes an energy beam delivery instrument system positioned between the energy beam generator and the holding device so that the energy an energy beam delivery instrument directs the energy beam to the holding device. Also, the apparatus includes an auxiliary heating device engaging the holding device, wherein the auxiliary heating device heats the metal article independently from the energy beam.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the operation of a high-power electron beam for the vaporization of materials in a target. With this method, static and dynamic deflection errors are corrected. First, the static and dynamic deflection errors are ascertained by means of a teach-in process for concrete spatial coordinates and concrete frequencies of the deflection currents and stored in a memory. For the later operation, this stored data is used in such a way that input geometric data for the incidence points of the electron beam is automatically recalculated into corrected current values which bring about the exact incidence onto the input points. A corresponding procedure takes place with the input of frequencies for the deflection current. The input frequencies are automatically corrected in terms of frequency and amplitude in order to eliminate the frequency-dependent attenuation effects.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the operation of a high-power electron beam for the vaporization of materials in a target. With this method, static and dynamic deflection errors are corrected. First, the static and dynamic deflection errors are ascertained by means of a teach-in process for concrete spatial coordinates and concrete frequencies of the deflection currents and stored in a memory. For the later operation, this stored data is used in such a way that input geometric data for the incidence points of the electron beam is automatically recalculated into corrected current values which bring about the exact incidence onto the input points. A corresponding procedure takes place with the input of frequencies for the deflection current. The input frequencies are automatically corrected in terms of frequency and amplitude in order to eliminate the frequency-dependent attenuation effects.