Patent ID: 6703583
Filing Date: 2004-03-09
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
Method for laser welding of two metal sheets, which are overlapped with eat other,wherein at least one of the sheets has a protective layer on its surface in contact with the other sheet, said protective layer being made of a material having a vaporization temperature lower than the melting temperature of the material forming the sheet, wherein the sheets to be welded are clamped with each other during the welding operation with the aid of clamping means, and wherein welding is carried out by directing a laser beam to the welding area of the clamped overlapped sheets, wherein welding is carried out by adjustably holding the sheets slightly spaced apart from each other at a pre-determined distance at the welding area by means of said clamping means, so that the vapours of protective material, which are created during welding, can escape through the gap defined by the sheets.