Laser welded aluminum blanks

Abstract

Welded parts and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. A welded part may include first and second metal workpieces (202, 204) having respective first and second edges forming a butt joint.The welded part may further include a first laser weld (208a) joining the first and second edges on one side of the first and second metal workpieces, and a second laser weld (208b) joining the firstand second edges on another opposite side of the first and second metal workpieces. Some example parts may have laser welds that cooperate to extend across an entire depth of the butt joint and form an overlap zone (212) between the first and second laser welds. In some examples, the first and second laser welds may be formed with substantially zero macroporosity.

Description

[0001] Cross References to Related Applications [0002] This application claims priority to US Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 555,339, filed September 7, 2017, the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. technical field [0003] The present disclosure relates to the welding of sheet metal stock, and more particularly, to the welding of sheet metal stock made of aluminum-based materials. Background technique [0004] Metal parts or workpieces can be joined using the laser welding process. Laser welding is particularly convenient for joining relatively large sheets, such as those used in automotive or other vehicular applications, for example, where other joining processes may not be convenient. Especially when reducing the weight of a part by reducing the thickness of certain areas of the part, it is necessary to join sheets of different thickness. [0005] Metal parts with welded components can be prone to failure when formin...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0005] Metal parts with welded components can be prone to failure when performing forming operations on welded components

For example, when two sheet metal blanks are welded together and then stamped, it can be challenging to stamp the desired features without creating cracks or other undesirable aspects in the weld or the immediately adjacent sheet metal.

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