The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 16, 1999
Filed:
May. 13, 1996
David J Bauer, deceased, late of Allen Park, MI (US);
Michael P Towler, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Thomas W Weber, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Tip Engineering Group, Inc., Farmington Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
Process and apparatus for precision scoring a workpiece of variable thickness and/or shape in which the thickness of the workpiece at points along a trace pattern is first determined, and a variable depth groove is thereafter formed by laser scoring which is controlled in correspondence with the previously determined thickness values. These values can be determined by scanning opposite surfaces on the surface of a locating fixture and a surface of the workpiece. Robot manipulators are used for scanning and scoring, and the power of the laser and/or the trace velocity are controlled to vary the degree of scoring. The scoring is used to special advantage for precision preweakening of auto trim pieces for creating an air bag deployment opening.