Systems and methods for laser-welding a workpiece with a laser beam that reaches inaccessible areas of the workpiece using multiple reflecting parts

Abstract

Device and method for laser welding around a circumference of a workpiece. A fixed, non-movable unitary optical reflector has a pair of optical reflecting surface portions on a first side surface and a second side surface, respectively, arranged at an obtuse angle relative to each other. A workpiece is fixed in an assembly having the reflector. During setup, the vertical distance is adjusted between the reflector and workpiece along an axis that is transverse to a longitudinal axis thereof without any adjustment of the reflecting surfaces. The first and second side surfaces define a curve that is transverse to the longitudinal axis. Once setup has been completed, a laser beam is directed so that it moves along the optical reflector to thereby produce a 360 degree circumferential weld around the workpiece. Another assembly is provided to change the laser beam direction multiple times to irradiate a circumference of a fixed workpiece from a fixed laser source.