Patent ID: 6608285
Filing Date: 2003-08-19
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
A process for welding one or more metal workpieces to be welded or assembled by using at least one laser beam and at least one electric arc to produce at least one weld bead, said electric arc being struck between at least one electrode and the at least one workpiece to be welded, the electrode being connected to a first pole of at least a first current source and connected to a second pole of the at least first current source, at least two electrically conducting earth contactors in contact with said workpiece to be welded, wherein at least one contact is made between the at least two earth contactors and the workpiece(s) to be welded laterally and/or upstream of a point of impingement of the electric arc on the workpiece(s) to be welded, when considering a direction of formation of a welded joint, said earth contactors being electrically isolated from one another.