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:
Apr. 27, 1999
Filed:
Jun. 16, 1997
Mariana G Forrest, Troy, MI (US);
Chrysler Corporation, Auburn Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus for in-situ laser welding of a hemmed joint are applicable for, among other things, production of vehicle doors having inner and outer panels to be joined. In a preferred method, the laser welding of a hemmed joint is carried out while a stable condition is maintained between the inner and outer panels. Locating members of a hemming machine are engaged with the metal sheets to be joined and a compressive force is applied to the panels. A plurality of welding units may be sequentially or simultaneously controlled by a computer. The apparatus includes a first portion for vertically locating the hemmed joint and a second portion for horizontally locating the hemmed joint.