Patent ID: 6793118
Filing Date: 2004-09-21
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
A laser-assisted friction stir welding method for joining workpieces, the method comprising:providing a side face for each workpiece between first and second workpiece surfaces, each side face shaped such that, in a pressed-together condition, the side faces touch each other at the second workpiece surface and are spaced from each other in a middle region of the side faces so that a gap exists between the side faces at the first workpiece surface; pressing together the side faces so as to form a joint area; advancing a welding probe, while the probe is in rotary motion, along the joint area at the first workpiece surface and irradiating workpiece material located in front of the welding probe using laser radiation, the advancing of the welding probe performed so as to plasticize the workpiece material along the joint area; and removing the welding probe from the joint area before the workpiece material completely solidifies.