The Boeing Company

Leo E Dondlinger

Mostafa Rassaian

Simon D Senibi

Frederick W Buldhaupt

Tristan E Lee

Richard N Huizenga

Gilbert L Lewis

Jeffery L Waugh

Provided is a laser-weld manufacturing method. The method includes: providing a first component and a second component that are separated from one another by a gap, the gap having a depth and a width and at least one of the first component and the second component having a sacrificial edge-tab; exposing the sacrificial edge-tab to laser energy, the laser energy being sufficient to melt at least a portion of the sacrificial edge-tab; forming a melt-pool in the gap between the first component and the second component, the melt-pool including material from the melted portion of the sacrificial edge-tab; and solidifying the melt-pool to form a weld that joins the first component and the second component together.

Edge preparation for laser welding

A system comprises an automated fiber placement (AFP) machine and a layup mandrel tool supported by the AFP machine. The mandrel tool includes a truss core and a plurality of mandrel panels attached to the truss core to form a layup surface.

Automated fiber placement including layup mandrel tool

Growing community of inventors

Auburn, WA, United States of America

Leo E Dondlinger