Patent ID: 7939781

Claim:
A process for laser machining of coated sheets, in which at least one topographic change projecting from the surface is produced on at least one side of at least one sheet metal by means of the laser, comprising: directing a laser beam to carry out a movement through and/or about the center of a processing surface on the sheet metal with transverse and longitudinal components, in such a manner, that the topographic change exhibits a generally spherical peak with a radius that is greater than the height of the topographic change, wherein the height is measured from the deepest recess of the sheet at the foot of the topographic change to its tip, bringing at least one additional sheet into contact with the at least one coated sheet in such a manner that the at least one projecting topographic change brings about the formation of a gap between the at least two sheets, and welding the at least two sheets to each other in the area of the at least one gap, in such a manner, that vaporization products occurring during welding can escape through the at least one gap.