Patent ID: 8716630
Filing Date: 2014-05-06
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for joining a first piece and a second piece at a junction region, a portion of the junction region being laser welded and a remaining portion of the junction region being diffusion bonded, the apparatus comprising: a fixture for securing the first piece; a pressing plate configured to hold the second piece against the first piece and apply a forging force to the second piece toward the first piece, the forging force causing the second piece to physically deform in relation to the first piece at the junction region and causing diffusion bonding between the first and the second pieces at the junction region; and a laser configured to direct a laser beam to a target area in the vicinity of the junction region, the laser beam liquefying material at a weld region of the junction region welding the first and second pieces together at the weld region.