Abstract: A tool for making retroreflective articles comprises (a) a substrate comprising a patterned surface comprising an array of microstructured retroreflective elements and (b) a welding seam through at least a portion of the array. An optically degraded area adjacent the welding seam on the patterned surface has a width of about 400 ?m or less.

Abstract: The invention relates to a single- or multi-wire welding torch (6), more specifically to a laser-hybrid single- or multi-wire welding head provided with the welding torch (6) which can be connected to a welding device via a hose pack and consists of several parts such as a torch handle, a tubular welding torch housing, a contact housing, a contact tube for each welding wire (21a, 21b), a gas nozzle (2) etc., wherein an internal insert (28) for receiving the contact tube(s) (20a, 20b) and the gas nozzle (2) is mounted in an end area of the welding torch housing. A fixing element (30) made at least partially of a flexible material is placed on the internal insert (28) or on the housing (2) for producing as required an, in particular, gas-tight connection between said internal insert (28) and the gas nozzle (2) pushed thereon. This connection can be established by the spatial extension of the fixing element.

Abstract: A welding equipment that forms an end part includes a vacuum chamber; a holding member that is installed in the vacuum chamber and that holds the end part in which a welding groove is formed by placing a half cell, an end plate, and a beam pipe next to each other; a window that is installed in a top-end surface portion of the vacuum chamber, which intersects with an axial center of the end part, and that forms a portion thereof; a laser radiating head that is installed outside the vacuum chamber and that radiates a laser beam into an internal space of the end part through the window; and a mirror member that is installed in the internal space of the end part and that adjusts a reflected laser beam, formed by reflecting the laser beam, so as to be oriented perpendicular to the welding groove.

Abstract: An apparatus 1 of the present invention includes a laser emitting unit 2, a monitor unit 3, a storage unit 4, an image extraction unit 5, a bead recognition unit 6, and a bead shape determination unit 7. The bead shape determination unit 7 is configured to calculate the position of the end of a bead region based on the bead region recognized by the bead recognition unit 6, and to determine whether the shape of the end of the bead region is convex or concave in the extending direction of the bead region.

Abstract: A dual-weave welding system is disclosed. The system may have a first welding device configured to create a weld joint in a gap between two or more work pieces by moving a first welding component along a first weaving path. The system may also have a second welding device configured to create the weld joint in the gap by moving a second welding component along a second weaving path. The system may further have a controller that sends commands to control the movement of the first welding device and the second welding device.

Abstract: The invention described herein generally pertains to a system and method related to energizing a welding wire based on a location of an electrode at an edge on a workpiece. An edge detector can be configured to identify an edge on the workpiece during a welding operation and a controller can be configured to mange a temperature of a puddle formed by the electrode by adjusting one or more welding parameters. The welding parameters can be, but are not limited to, an energizing of the welding wire, a wire feed speed, a temperature of a high intensity heat source (e.g.

Abstract: A device for connecting two workpiece parts by means of laser beam welding. Producing a simply constructed and cost-effectively manufactured device for flat welding workpiece parts, with simultaneous compensation of workpiece tolerances, is achieved by a weld seam pattern with a number of weld seams arranged downstream of an adapted pressure unit of a laser beam source. The pressure unit has a plurality of channels extending through it with channel walls. The channel walls are a lattice-like arrangement of the first and second pressure elements which have integrated means for compensating tolerances, and which are designed to press the workpiece parts against one another in the z direction.

Abstract: A laser processing system includes a laser processing head, a powder supply device, and a controller. The powder supply device supplies powder to the laser processing head. The laser processing head includes: a laser emission unit which irradiates a workpiece with laser light; and a powder supply unit which receives the powder supplied from a powder supply device to the laser processing head, and can supply the powder to a laser spot on the workpiece. The powder supply unit includes: a powder discharge unit which can discharge the powder toward the laser spot on the workpiece; and a powder-supply control mechanism which controls the amount of the powder to be supplied to the powder discharge unit, by distributing to the powder discharge unit at least a part of a flow of the powder supplied from the powder supply device. The controller controls the distributing by the powder-supply control mechanism.

Abstract: Hybrid welding apparatuses include a laser that produces a leading laser beam, and, an arc welder that produces a trailing backhand weld arc, wherein the leading laser beam and the trailing backhand weld arc are directed towards a common molten pool, and wherein the trailing backhand weld arc trails the leading laser beam as the leading laser beam progresses in a weld direction.

Abstract: A welding arrangement and a welding process for forming a weld seam between two edge portions, wherein the edge portions form a Y joint having a root portion and a bevel portion, said root portion being welded by a hybrid laser electric arc welding process including directing a laser beam and an electric arc in a single interaction zone of plasma and molten metal. A hybrid laser electric arc welding head and welding submerged arc welding head are arranged on a common carrier structure for welding the Y joint.

Abstract: In a direct metal deposition system which builds up a metallic overlay on a substrate by moving the substrate relative to a laser in a metallic powder feed, the laser power is adjusted for successive layers by sensing the weld pool in a plurality of selected points in each layer and adjusting the power during successive layers to maintain a weld pool that corresponds to those achieved during deposition of a lower optimal layer. This compensates for heating of the substrate resulting from the deposition which tends to increase the pool size or temperature in the higher layers.

Abstract: A method of laser welding a layered product comprising two layers (44, 46) of a high absorption at the radiation wavelength, where one layer (44) is welded to a material (42) having a lower absorption and wherein a scattering layer (48) is provided between the laser welded layers (42, 44) and the other high absorption layer (48) in order to scatter any radiation penetrating the first high absorption layer (44) in order to prevent excessive heating of the other high absorption layer (46).

Abstract: An apparatus forms a sheet into a beam having four exterior walls and a common center leg extending between an opposing two of the walls. The apparatus includes a roll former forming the sheet into the beam cross section, a welding station with top and bottom laser welders, and a weld box fixture having inwardly-biased external mandrels (biased by actuators) and outwardly-biased internal split mandrels (biased by springs) that interact to hold a desired shape of the beam in the weld fixture, and also includes a sweeping unit and cutoff device. By this arrangement, the internal and external mandrels, in combination with a bias of the actuators and springs, control a shape of the beam by flexure and movement of material of the sheet when in the weld box fixture during a welding process of the welder.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming at least one three-dimensional article by fusing parts of a powder bed layer-wise. The apparatus comprising a powder distributor and an energy beam for fusing the powder layer. Said powder distributor comprises a first part being an elongated rod provided movable at a predetermined distance above the powder bed and with its central axis in parallel with a top surface of said work table and second part being a metal foil having at least a first and a second opposite edge portions. Said metal foil is provided between said elongated rod and said work table, said first and second opposite edge portions are attached to said elongated rod so that a distance between said first and second edge portions is smaller than the distance between said first and second edge portions of said metal foil when said metal foil is in a flat position.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of laser diode unit of the present invention includes steps: placing a laser diode on top of a solder member formed on a mounting surface of a submount, applying a pressing load to the laser diode and pressing the laser diode against the solder member, next, melting the solder member by heating the solder member at a temperature higher than a melting point of the solder member while the pressing load is being applied, and thereafter, bonding the laser diode to the submount by cooling and solidifying the solder member, thereafter, removing the pressing load, and softening the solidified solder member by heating the solder member at a temperature lower than the melting point of the solder member after the pressing load has been removed, and thereafter cooling and re-solidifying the solder member.

Abstract: A spatter removing device for a laser welder including an optic head to which a laser beam is transferred through an optic fiber from a laser oscillator, a cross jet mounted at one side of a lower end portion of the optic head, a safety cover provided at the outside of the optic head so as to surround the optic head, and a material injection unit that injects a material to be welded below the optic head, the device includes a discharge unit and a spatter cooling device. The discharge unit is provided with a discharge pipe that discharges a welding gas and the spatter at one side portion of the safety cover. The spatter cooling device is connected to the discharge pipe and cools the spatter so that the spatter is forcibly collected.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for welding a component to fill a groove therein. The method entails simultaneously projecting an electric arc and at least first and second laser beams into the groove. The electric arc melts and deposits a filler material in the groove while the first and second laser beams are projected onto opposite first and second walls, respectively, of the groove. The axis of each of the first and second laser beams is oriented at an acute angle relative to the respective wall thereof.

Abstract: A roll forming system which roll-forms a shaped beam by a roll forming unit including a plurality of roll formers is disclosed. A laser welding device for the roll forming system may include: front and rear guide means disposed apart from each other at the rear of the roll forming unit, and guiding movement of the shaped beam; laser welding means mounted above and between the front and rear guide means, reciprocatedly rotating a mirror by controlling a mirror motor so as to irradiate a laser beam to a welding position of the shaped beam, and thereby forming a welding bead having a predetermined welding pattern; forming speed detecting means detecting a forming speed of the shaped beam and transmitting a signal corresponding thereto to a controller; a camera disposed at the rear of the laser welding means, photographing a welding portion of the shaped beam, and transmitting an image signal corresponding thereto to the controller.

Abstract: A welding method in which the power is controlled in accordance with the temperature of the welding point is provided. The temperature of the welding point is lowered in a controlled manner at the end of the method and the temperature of this welding point is measured by a temperature measuring appliance.

Abstract: A laser welding pressure unit comprises a housing, a rotating element, and a foot. The housing may attach to a laser head. The rotating element may include an outer ring rotatably coupled to an inner ring, wherein the outer ring is coupled to the housing. The foot may couple to the inner ring such that the foot rotates with respect to the housing. The foot may also be configured to contact an upper surface of a metal sheet and may be oriented such that while the metal sheet is being welded, the foot rotates about a central vertical axis and the laser welding pressure unit is able to move in any direction without the foot breaking contact with the surface.

Abstract: The invention provides a simple and inexpensive method to assemble nanomaterials into millimeter lengths. The method can be used to generate optical, sensing, electronic, magnetic and or catalytic materials. Also provided is a substrate comprised of fused nanoparticles. The invention also provides a diode comprised of assembled nanoparticles.

Abstract: A metal additive method includes directing sonic and/or ultrasonic energy from a probe that is directed toward a melt pool during solidification of the melt pool and formation of a layer, wherein a solid portion of an object on which the pool is positioned at least partially surrounds the melt pool.

Abstract: A robot and a method for controlling the same are provided. The robot includes a first control unit to control the overall operation of the robot and a second control unit to supplement the function of the control unit in preparation for the malfunction of the first control unit such that the second control unit controls the robot to perform a predetermined safety-considered motion when the first control unit malfunctions.

Abstract: A method for contactless laser welding of a plurality of sheets of material stacked upon one another includes simultaneously delivering a laser beam and a stream of fluid through a laser head and further through an end cap which is removably mounted to the laser head. The end cap is configured with a stationary cylinder, which is coupled to the laser head, and a piston movable relative the cylinder. The piston moves in response to a pressure differential generated by the fluid in chambers above and below the piston. Once the pressure equilibrium is reached between the chambers, the pressure in the chamber below the piston is sufficient to reliably press the sheets of material against one another during a laser welding operation.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using optical interferometry in the context of material modification processes such as surgical laser or welding applications. An imaging optical source that produces imaging light. A feedback controller controls at least one processing parameter of the material modification process based on an interferometry output generated using the imaging light. A method of processing interferograms is provided based on homodyne filtering. A method of generating a record of a material modification process using an interferometry output is provided.

Abstract: A fiber optic device for enabling soldering is described. The fiber optic device includes an entry portion comprising an optical fiber bundle for receiving a single light beam wherein the optical fiber bundle splits the light beam into a plurality of separate portions, each of the separate portions for enabling soldering. The fiber optic device further includes an exit portion for emitting each of the plurality of separate portions of the light beam in a pattern to enable soldering at a plurality of locations simultaneously utilizing the single light beam.

Abstract: Together with a scanner device, an air blower is provided above a workpiece, and the air blower exhausts air in the shape of a ring toward the workpiece, the air in a ring shape surrounding an optical axis of a laser beam emitted from the scanner device. A housing of the air blower is formed in a ring shape, a ring-shaped cavity is formed in the housing, an inner ring member is attached to an undersurface of the housing, an outer ring member is attached to an outer peripheral side of the inner ring member, and a ring-shaped exhaust port is formed between the inner ring member and the outer ring member. An exhaust direction of the air is defined by inclination of an outer-peripheral-side end surface of the inner ring member and inclination of an inner-peripheral-side end surface of the outer ring member (FIG. 2).

Abstract: A lid (2) for closing a cup (1) along a peripheral sealing edge (10) and a method for producing such a lid. The lid includes at least one aluminum film and an optionally multi-layered plastic layer which is co-extruded onto the aluminum film and has a closed predetermined tearing line (3). The plastic layer is made of plastic based on polyethylene (PE) or plastic based on polypropylene (PP), and the predetermined tearing line is introduced into the plastic layer preferably by means of a CO2 laser. The predetermined tearing line (3) may be provided directly in the region of the sealing edge (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to a modular system for overlay welding at inwardly disposed surfaces of workpieces using a laser beam. In this respect, a coating can be formed on inwardly disposed surfaces using a powdery welding material. It is the object of the invention to provide possibilities for the overlay welding or for the coating of inwardly disposed surfaces of workpieces with a variable immersion depth, increased flexibility and independence of direction in the processing. A feed for powdery welding material, a feed for protective gas and a feed for a coolant are present on a system in accordance with the invention. The system is formed with a coupling module for the laser beam, at least one beam guiding module for the laser beam and a processing module, which can be connected to one another. A collimated laser beam is directed via the coupling module through the beam guiding modules) onto an optical element focusing the laser beam on the surface of a workpiece to be processed.

Abstract: Approaches to a solder ball bonding (SBB) tool and a method for solder ball bonding work pieces. The SBB tool comprises a rotatable feed plate for transporting solder balls from a reservoir to a nozzle, which is a position at which a laser light source can irradiate and melt the solder balls. The melted solder ball is then ejected from the nozzle and onto one or more work pieces, for electrically interconnecting the work pieces. The feed plate is configured with first holes and second holes, the first holes for receiving and transporting solder balls and the second holes for providing an aperture for the laser light to irradiate the solder balls, as the feed plate rotates and the holes are moved to positions in relation to the reservoir and the nozzle.

Abstract: A laser welding apparatus includes a laser welding unit including a first lens adapted to focus a laser beam; a second lens adapted to diffuse the laser beam to the first lens; and a third lens adapted to guide the laser beam to the second lens. The relative positions of the first lens, the second lens, and the third lens, are adjusted to adjust a diffusion angle and a beam width of the laser beam entering the first lens. The laser welding apparatus performs: actuating the laser welding unit to travel at a predetermined speed along a predetermined trajectory; directing the laser beam at a first welding spot; adjusting the focal length to focus the laser beam at the first welding spot; holding the laser focal spot size substantially constant; and directing the laser beam at a second welding spot after completion of welding for the first welding spot.

Abstract: A superalloy component, such as gas turbine blade or vane, is structurally welded by placing the component in an isolation chamber. Inert gas is introduced into the chamber. The substrate is welded in the chamber, creating a weld zone. Pressure is applied directly on the weld zone that is greater than atmospheric pressure. Application of such pressure increases the weld zone ductility and reduces likelihood of solidification cracking and strain age cracking, compared to weld zones formed at atmospheric pressure. In some embodiments an isostatic pressure chamber is used to apply isostatic pressure on the weld zone. In other embodiments the welding is performed by laser welding or cladding, TIG welding electron beam welding or autogenous welding.

Abstract: Safety confinement equipment for laser radiation includes a safety confinement enclosure having two laterally opposite openings through which at least one metal strip can pass, the enclosure including first and second jaw devices for clamping the strip disposed on a path of travel of the strip between the two openings, the jaws being transversely disposed at least over the width of the strip. A cutting or welding equipment head emits a beam of laser radiation to be confined, in which the beam can be moved transversely between a pair of jaws disposed opposite each other on one side of a surface of the strip. In the position in which the jaws clamp the strip, the engagement of the jaws on the surfaces of the strip induces the formation of a physical screen against the laser radiation, which prevents the radiation from passing through the two openings of the chamber.

Abstract: An exemplary system and method for welding a piston assembly includes a piston assembly having a cooling gallery and a loose granulated medium positioned therein. The cooling gallery is formed by a piston body and a cooling gallery ring, and a welder such as a laser welder is positioned proximate the assembly to weld the piston body to the cooling gallery ring. During welding, the assembly is rotated and the loose granulated medium is caused to remain in a gravitationally low portion of the cooling gallery. The weld is formed in an area proximate the loose granulated medium such that weld spatter emitted during welding is emitted into the loose granulated medium.

Abstract: A method for detecting defect in a weld seam during laser welding. The method includes performing a two-dimensionally locally resolved detection of radiation that is emitted by a solidified molten mass that is adjacent to a liquid melting bath. The method also includes determining at least one characteristic value for heat dissipation in the solidified molten mass by evaluating the detected radiation along at least one profile-section of the solidified molten mass, and detecting a defect in the weld seam by comparing the at least one characteristic value with at least one reference value.

Abstract: A laser welder controls a focus and direction of a laser beam received from a laser oscillator through optical fiber and radiating the controlled laser beam. The laser welder may include a housing; a beam transmission unit expanding a beam size and simultaneously switching direction of the laser beam; a first radiation unit switching direction of the laser beam by reflecting part of the laser beam through a slot mirror and simultaneously reducing the beam size within the housing, thus forming a focus in a first welding unit through a first beam port; and a second radiation unit expanding and reducing a remainder of the laser beam received through the slot mirror of the first radiation unit and simultaneously switching a direction of the remainder, thus forming a focus in a second welding unit through a second beam port.

Abstract: A welding tool is configured with a housing enclosing a fiber laser system which is operative to produce a weld seam for connecting two workpieces. The fiber laser system includes a focusing optic configured to focus the output beam of the system so that it propagates through an elongated slit formed in the bottom of the housing. The fiber laser system is capable to move along a predetermined path extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the slit and limited by the perimeter thereof. The output beam is generated only when the slit sits upon at least one of the workpieces.

Abstract: The subject matter herein discloses a method for producing a fuselage section of an aircraft via large-sized, in particular long, shell segments. The method includes joining at least two skin segments to form a large-sized skin field, welding a plurality of integral stringers onto the skin field, and welding a plurality of integral and closed ring frames to the skin field.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for packaging of dissimilar devices using electromagnetic radiation from a laser. In one aspect, an apparatus can include a first substrate, a second substrate, and a first device and a second device disposed on the second substrate. A first metal ring on the first substrate contacts a second metal ring on a second substrate, and is heated by a first electromagnetic radiation from a laser to enclose a first cavity containing the first device. A third metal ring on the first substrate contacts a fourth metal ring on the second substrate, and is heated by a second electromagnetic radiation to enclose a second cavity containing the second device. Enclosing the first cavity may be performed under a first atmosphere, and the enclosing the second cavity may be performed under a second, different atmosphere.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for spot welding with a laser beam (6) in which the laser beam (6) passes through a tube (3) and impinges on the components (7.1, 7.2) to be welded together. The cross section of the laser beam (6) is formed by reflections inside the tube, and the distribution of the radiation intensity is homogenized across the cross section of the beam. At the same time, the tube (3) exerts a contact force (F) on the components (7.1, 7.2) that are to be welded together. Using a plurality of laser beams (6), to each of which a tube (3) is dedicated downstream, it is possible to create a simple and robust, component-specific system by means of which several or all weld spots can be simultaneously produced so as to conjoin the two components (7.1, 7.2).

Abstract: A process is described for form locking joining of two components through plastic deformation of one of the two components. In order for the tool for forming the form locking connection not to get in direct contact with the plasticized area of the joining partners, a third component between the tool and the two components to be joined through form locking is being used, which simultaneously enters into an adhesive bond with one of the two components to be joined through form locking. The thermal energy for creating the plastic state of one of the joining partners and for developing the adhesive bond is applied through electromagnetic radiation through the third component.

Abstract: This robot system includes a robot, a laser emitting portion moved by the robot, emitting a laser beam to a target workpiece, and a control portion controlling the laser emitting portion to emit the laser beam on the basis of information regarding an arbitrarily-shaped work locus and movement information of the laser emitting portion.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to apparatuses for sealing the tips of pump-out tubes of vacuum insulating glass (VIG) units, and/or associated methods. In certain example embodiments, a laser source used in sealing the pump-out tube is thermally insulated from the VIG unit and emits a laser beam through one or more windows in an oven towards a mirror located therein. The mirror is located so as to redirect the laser beam onto the pump-out tube to thereby seal it. For instance, a substantially horizontal laser beam emitted from a laser source located outside the oven enters into the oven through one or more windows and is reflected by a mirror towards the pump-out tube to be sealed. The repositioning of the laser source advantageously can change its effective focal length and/or the location of the laser beam, e.g., because of the fixed location of the mirror.

Abstract: A laser welding apparatus includes: a first optical element that coaxially emits, to a welded part, a laser beam emitted from a laser light source and an object beam having a different wavelength from the laser beam; a second optical element that causes the spot diameter of the object beam to be larger than the spot diameter of the laser beam on the welded part; an optical interferometer that emits the object beam to the first optical element, detects through the first optical element the object beam reflected on the welded part, and generates an electric signal based on the detected object beam; and a measuring unit that measures a penetration depth of the welded part based on the electric signal.

Abstract: A method of welding a joint includes directing a first output from a high energy density heat source, such as a laser, against a first side of the joint. The method further includes directing a second output from an arc welding heat source, such as a gas metal arc welding torch, against a second side of the joint. The first output produces a keyhole surrounded by a molten metal pool which extends from the first side of the joint toward the second side of the joint. In some embodiments a third output from a second arc welding heat source may also be directed at the first side of the joint. A second molten metal pool produced by the arc welding heat source joins with the first molten metal pool and the third molten metal pool to form a common molten metal pool which solidifies to form the weld.

Abstract: Provided are an optical system and a laser processing apparatus with which the energy intensity distribution of laser light at a processing point can be made higher in a peripheral region than in a center region in a simple manner. An optical system is provided with a collimating lens group that emits laser light including parallel rays; an axicon lens that has a circular conical shape and into which the light emitted from the collimating lens group enters; and a focusing lens group that focuses the light emitted from the axicon lens, wherein a conical surface of the axicon lens is positioned on the collimating lens group side, and a flat surface of the axicon lens is positioned on the focusing lens group side.

Abstract: A process chamber is configured to contain a work piece in a controlled atmosphere and to perform a process that emits pyrophoric particulates. A closed recirculating loop connected with the process chamber recirculates gas defining the controlled atmosphere through the process chamber. A filter in the closed recirculating loop captures the generated pyrophoric particulates in the recirculating gas. A valve set has a work configuration defining the closed recirculating loop including the connection of the process chamber with the filter, and a filter regeneration configuration in which the filter is blocked off from the process chamber and is connected with an exhaust. A work piece is loaded into the process chamber. With the valve set in the work configuration, the process is performed on the loaded work piece. Thereafter, regeneration gas containing oxygen is delivered to the filter with the valve set in the regeneration configuration.

Abstract: A hybrid laser arc welding assembly including a gas metal arc welding torch and a laser arc welding laser head. The torch and laser head are disposed adjacent one another and aimed at targets of a pair of work pieces spaced from one another such that the melted material produced by the torch overlaps with the melted material produced by the laser head, and therefore, the torch and laser head combine to create a hybrid laser arc weld to join the work pieces. The laser head is adjustable dynamically relative to the work-pieces to optimize the hybrid laser arc weld.

Abstract: Apparatus has a receptacle (1) for two workpiece parts (21, 22) which extend two-dimensionally in X and Y directions and which are to be joined along a weld. The apparatus includes a laser beam source (30) comprising a plurality of individually controllable laser beam emitters (31) which collectively form a line array which is oriented in X direction, a transporting device (6) for transporting the laser beam source (30) relative to the receptacle (1) in Y direction, and a homogenizer (50) arranged downstream of the laser beam source (30) in the radiating direction. The homogenizer (50) has a carrier (52) in which is provided at least one reflection channel (51) with a channel cross section (QS) which is adapted to the course of the weld and a channel width (b) which is adapted to the width of the weld.

Abstract: A laser welding apparatus and method reproduces a welding state substantially identical to an actual operation of a robot at a manufacturing site even when an operating speed of the robot is changed. When a moving speed of the robot is, for example, 50% of an override ratio, a welding point speed, which is a resultant speed of a focus moving speed of the laser beam by movement of the robot having a scanner head and the focus moving speed of the laser beam by rotation of the laser scanning mirror, becomes identical to that when an override ratio is 100%. This is achieved by increasing a rotating speed of a laser scanning mirror within the scanner head.