Sws Corporation

Carl J Nilsen

An apparatus is disclosed for continuously forming and laser welding metal can bodies and the like. The apparatus comprises a former for successively forming flat sheets of metal into generally tubular shaped sheets of metal having longitudinally extending edges to be welded, an indexer for successively advancing the generally tubular shaped sheets of metal from the former to a first position in a direction toward a laser welding device such that the generally tubular shaped sheets of metal are moving at a predetermined speed at the first position, an additional advancing device including a pair of endless metal belts extending between the first position and a second position, the belts having a plurality of fingers mounted thereon in spaced relationship for engaging the trailing ends of successive generally tubular shaped sheets of metal to advance the sheets from the first position to the second position at a substantially constant speed, and a laser welding device arranged for welding the longitudinally extending edges of the generally tubular shaped sheets of metal as they are advanced between the first and second positions.

Apparatus for continuously advancing and welding metal can bodies and

An apparatus for continuous laser welding adjacent longitudinally extending of generally tubular shaped members is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a Z-bar guide for positioning and guiding the edges as they are moved toward a welding area with a laser welding device for welding the edges, and a mandrel connected to the Z-bar guide and extending internally and in the direction of movement of the members. The mandrel includes a laser beam dump positioned adjacent the welding area for absorbing light from a laser beam produced by the laser welding device and at least one roller for internally supporting and guiding the generally tubular shaped members.

Apparatus for continuous laser welding

A method and apparatus for guiding the opposed edges of sheet metal into substantially abutting edge-to-edge relationship with one another and thereafter welding said edges by a high energy welding source to form a seam. The invention enables the continuous high speed butt welding of the sheet metal to form cylindrical bodies. The apparatus includes three elements which are cooperatively secured in assembled relationship and thereby form opposed and converging guide channels which converge into open relationship with one another along the length of the apparatus so that the opposing edges of sheet metal are guided into intimate abutting edge-to-edge relationship with one another. The elements extend to a point adjacent the weld zone in order to maintain the sheet metal edges in abutting relationship as they enter the weld zone. In another embodiment, two of the elements may include portions which extend into and beyond the weld zone. Such portions are provided with a tapered opening through which the high energy welding source may be continuously focused relative to the point of the weld.

Z-bar guide apparatus and method of butt welding

A method of positioning and guiding two edges of thin sheet metal in such a manner that the edges are urged into overlapping relationship with each other under pressure and are continuously moved in a longitudinal direction while converging toward each other. The edges of the sheet metal are forced out of overlapping relationship against the pressure so that such edges are in abutting relationship with each other at the point of convergence at which time such edges are welded together by a source of heat.

Method of butt welding sheet metal

An apparatus for positioning and guiding the opposed edges of sheet metal so that the edges thereof are progressively moved into substantially intimate relationship with one another so that such edges may be subsequently welded to form a seam. The apparatus includes three replaceable guide elements that cooperatively form opposed and relatively converging guide channels which progressively direct the sheet metal edges into intimate relationship and maintain such relationship as the sheet metal is introduced into a seam welding station.

Growing community of inventors

Hopatcong, NJ, United States of America

Carl J Nilsen