Method and device for joining a first component and a second component by means of an electron beam

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for joining a first component (12) and a second component (14) by means of an electron beam (34). The first component (12) and the second component (14) and a filler wire (30) are provided, the first component (12) and the second component (14) forming a joining zone (16) which comprises a gap (18) lying between the first component (12) and the second component (14). In addition, the first component (12) and the second component (12) are integrally bonded by means of the electron beam (34), with bridging of the gap (18) at least in parts, wherein the electron beam (34) is guided along an irradiation pattern (44), and wherein the filler wire (30) is used in the integral bonding of the first component (12) and the second component (14). The invention also relates to a device (10) for joining a first component (12) and a second component (14), the device being designed to carry out a method of this type.

Description

[0001] Method and apparatus for joining a first component and a second component using an electron beam

[0002] The invention relates to a method for joining a first component and a second component using an electron beam.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for joining a first component and a second component using an electron beam.

[0004] In such processes, a concentrated energy input into the workpiece via an electron beam creates a vapor capillary, resulting in a deep penetration welding effect. This allows, among other things, thick-walled workpieces to be joined, e.g., welded, with the resulting weld seams exhibiting a high depth-to-width ratio, meaning they are relatively narrow in relation to their depth.

[0005] When joining components using an electron beam, prior seam preparation is particularly important for achieving high weld quality, according to the current state of the art. It is crucial that the components have a virtually zero gap in the joining zone, i.e., in the area to be joined. In other words, the components should be practically gap-free against each other in the joining zone.

[0006] The seam preparation is usually carried out by machining the components, which represents an additional complex work step.

[0007] This consequently results in a considerable expenditure of time and money, as the components must first be aligned and clamped before machining and may also need to be cleaned afterward. Furthermore, a suitable machining machine is required.

[0008] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method and a device for joining components using an electron beam, wherein the preparation effort of the components before electron beam welding is low.

[0009] The problem is solved by a method for joining a first component and a second component using an electron beam. The method includes:

[0010] • Providing the first component and the second component as well as an additional wire, wherein the first component and the second component form a joining zone which includes a gap located between the first component and the second component, and

[0011] • joining the first component and the second component by means of the electron beam with at least partial bridging of the gap, wherein the electron beam is guided along an irradiation pattern, and wherein the filler wire is used in joining the first component and the second component.

[0012] The method according to the invention can therefore be used even though the joining zone includes a gap. The basic idea of ​​the invention is to eliminate the need for prior preparation of the components, particularly machining, and instead to bridge the gap in the joining zone by inserting a filler wire and simultaneously moving the electron beam along an irradiation pattern. The first and second components can then be joined to this pattern with comparatively little effort. The filler wire provides sufficient material to compensate for the material shortage caused by the gap and to prevent seam collapse. Furthermore, moving the electron beam along the irradiation pattern ensures that both components forming the joining zone and thus the gap, as well as the filler wire, are reliably melted to create the metallurgical bond.This allows for a high resulting weld quality, even without prior machining of the components. This makes the process particularly time- and cost-efficient.

[0013] In this context, the term "gap" refers to a gap or void between the first and second components that exists despite the first component being in maximum proximity to the second, or vice versa. The gap always has a certain extent. A zero gap, particularly a technical zero gap, is therefore not a gap in this sense. The width of the gap is preferably at least 0.3 mm and at most 2 mm. Preferably, the width of the gap is at least 0.5 mm and at most 1.2 mm.

[0014] In this context, an irradiation pattern refers to a local path within the joining zone along which the electron beam moves while directed at the joining zone. The electron beam can be guided continuously along the irradiation pattern. In this case, the joining zone is irradiated by a continuous electron beam; that is, the electron beam is neither stopped nor switched off as it moves along the irradiation pattern. Alternatively, the irradiation pattern can be approximated by a group of irradiation points and / or line segments. In this case, the joining zone is irradiated only at these irradiation points and / or line segments. The irradiation pattern results from the entirety of the irradiation points and / or line segments. Hybrid forms are also possible.The irradiation pattern is represented in the control system by a group of irradiation points and / or line segments; however, the electron beam is not switched off during the movement between irradiation points and / or line segments. This hybrid form is particularly simple from a control perspective. Furthermore, the movement of the electron beam between irradiation points or line segments can be relatively fast, so that the energy input during the movement of the electron beam between irradiation points or line segments can be negligible. An alternative term for an irradiation pattern is a grid pattern or an oscillation pattern.

[0015] In the process according to the invention, the material-bonding joining preferably takes place by forming a single melt pool that extends over a section of the first component, a section of the second component, and a section of the filler wire. In other words, no multi-bath technique is used.

[0016] According to one aspect of the invention, at least one physical quantity characterizing the gap can be determined using an electron beam prior to the metallurgical joining process. The electron beam is operated with process parameters that differ from those used during the metallurgical joining process. Thus, the electron beam is operated using two different process parameters: one for determining at least one physical quantity characterizing the gap, and the other for metallurgically joining the first and second components. The use of the electron beam itself allows for a particularly simple and cost-effective determination of the physical quantity characterizing the gap, as no additional measuring device is required. Furthermore, the process parameters during the metallurgical joining process can be based on the physical quantity characterizing the gap.This allows the process parameters during the joining process to be individually adjusted to the gap between the components. This makes it possible to improve the resulting joint quality.

[0017] The physical quantity can be measured in individual areas along a direction of extension of the gap or along the entire gap.

[0018] It is possible to determine the physical quantity characterizing at least one slit using an electron beam via electron-optical measurement. In this process, the backscattered electrons are analyzed, so the operating principle is similar to that of a scanning electron microscope (SEM). This allows for a particularly precise and reliable determination of the physical quantities characterizing the slit.

[0019] The physical quantity characterizing the gap can describe a gap width and / or a gap depth and / or a gap cross-section and / or a gap width-to-gap depth ratio. The gap width-to-gap depth ratio, which typically corresponds to the component thickness, is particularly meaningful because it considers two quantities simultaneously. This gap width-to-component thickness ratio can range from 0.015 to 0.3, and in particular from 0.025 to 0.12. Another physical quantity characterizing the gap is the gap width itself. As explained above, the gap width can be measured at least section by section along the joining zone between the components and can have a value of at least 0.3 mm and a maximum of 2 mm, and in particular a value of at least 0.5 mm and a maximum of 1.2 mm. The gap cross-section, in this context, refers to the cross-sectional shape and / or size of the gap.All these physical quantities characterizing the gap influence the joining result when joining the first and second components. Therefore, considering one or more of these physical quantities characterizing the gap leads to a good joining result, regardless of the gap's characteristics.

[0020] Furthermore, the process parameters used to determine at least one physical quantity characterizing the gap can include a first power parameter, and the process parameters used for material bonding can include a second power parameter. The first power parameter is smaller in magnitude than the second power parameter. In particular, the power parameter used to determine at least one physical quantity characterizing the gap does not result in the components melting. Examples of power parameters include a current for generating the electron beam and / or an accelerating voltage. The various power parameters make it possible to vary the electron beam and use it in a variety of ways, depending on the application.Accordingly, the first performance parameters, which at least characterize a physical quantity of the gap, can be determined without melting the components, while the second performance parameter makes it possible to achieve a material-bonded connection.

[0021] Furthermore, the profile of the physical quantity characterizing the gap can be determined along its direction of extension, and at least one of the process parameters used for the material-bonding process can be set and modified based on this profile while the electron beam is guided along the gap to create the material-bonding joint between the first and second components. Thus, the process takes into account that the physical quantity characterizing the gap can change along its length. This allows for a particularly good joining result, as the electron beam process parameters are tailored to the respective gap segment during the material-bonding process. Consequently, irregularities in the gap can be compensated for.

[0022] In one embodiment, the irradiation pattern can comprise a first section along which the electron beam is guided over the auxiliary wire, and a second section along which the electron beam is guided over the first component, the second component, and the slit. The first and second sections differ in their geometry. Alternatively or additionally, the electron beam is operated with different process parameters when guided along the first and second sections. Furthermore, alternatively or additionally, the first and second sections are irradiated for different durations with the electron beam. This means that the first and second sections have different geometric shapes and / or different process parameters are used when guiding the electron beam along the first and second sections.Alternatively or additionally, the time intervals during which the first and second sections are irradiated with the electron beam can differ. For example, a first set of process parameters is used when the electron beam is guided along the first section, and a second set of process parameters is used when the electron beam is guided along the second section. The first and second sets of process parameters differ with respect to at least one parameter. Alternatively or additionally, the first section is irradiated with the electron beam for a first time interval, and the second section for a second time interval, where the first and second time intervals differ.It is understood that the first and / or second time intervals do not necessarily have to be consecutive; the first time interval can also be accumulated by repeatedly irradiating the first section. Likewise, the second time interval can be accumulated by repeatedly irradiating the second section. By using a two-part irradiation pattern, i.e., an irradiation pattern with a first section and a second section, the energy and / or power introduced by the electron beam—by scanning the first section into the filler wire and by scanning the second section into the first component, the second component, and the gap (i.e., not into the filler wire)—can be independently and precisely controlled. The same applies to the energy density distribution and the power density distribution.This also means that the energy and / or power introduced into the filler wire by the electron beam, and the energy and / or power introduced into the first component, the second component, and the gap by the electron beam, can differ significantly. The same applies to the energy density distribution and the power density distribution. This allows for a particularly high resulting weld quality, making the process especially time- and cost-efficient.

[0023] In one example, the process parameters used to guide the electron beam along the first and second sections differ with respect to the focus position. The electron beam's focus can lie above the joining zone if it is guided along the first section of the irradiation pattern. If the electron beam is guided along the second section of the irradiation pattern, the focus can lie within the joining zone. High weld quality can also be achieved in this way.

[0024] In another example, the first and second sections of the irradiation pattern differ in their geometry. The first section can be essentially point-like. The second section can be more extended than the first. This means, for example, that a smallest outer dimension of the second section is at least three times, and in particular at least five or ten times, the smallest outer dimension of the first section. In one specific example, the second section is essentially figure-eight shaped.

[0025] It is understood that the aforementioned examples, which relate to the different sections of the irradiation pattern, can be combined in any way. In particular, the first section and the second section can differ both in their geometry and in the process parameters used to guide the electron beam along the sections.

[0026] In an example where the first and second sections are irradiated with the electron beam for different durations—that is, where the first section is irradiated with the electron beam for a first time interval and the second section for a second time interval, where the first and second time intervals differ—the first and second time intervals can each be expressed in units of time. Alternatively, the duration of an electron beam irradiation can be expressed as the frequency of irradiation per unit of time. Thus, it can also be specified how many times per unit of time the first or second section is irradiated with the electron beam.For example, the second section can be traversed at a frequency of 200 Hz to 800 Hz, particularly at a frequency of 400 Hz to 600 Hz, and most preferably at a frequency of 500 Hz. This means that the second section is traversed 200 to 800 times per second. The same can apply to the first section. It is also possible to specify how frequently the traversal of the first and second sections alternates. For example, the traversal of the first and second sections can alternate 5,000 to 20,000 times per second. This can also be expressed as a frequency, which would then be 5 kHz to 20 kHz. Preferably, this frequency is 10 kHz.

[0027] In a case where a switching frequency is specified that describes the alternation between traversing the first section and the second section, it is not necessary for either section to be completely traversed before switching to the other. In this context, it is also possible to traverse part of the first or second section and then switch to the other. Upon switching back, the irradiation continues from the point from which the transition began. In this way, energy and / or power can be transferred by the electron beam through the first section into the filler wire and through the second section into the first component, the second component, and the gap.The values, which are not introduced into the additional wire, can be adjusted independently with high precision. The same applies to the energy density distribution and the power density distribution.

[0028] Furthermore, the irradiation pattern can comprise a circular segment, a circle, an elliptical segment, an elliptical line, a curved segment, a polygon segment, a spiral contour, a figure-eight line, a closed parabola, and / or a meandering line. The irradiation pattern can also be composed of several of the aforementioned lines and / or segments. For example, the irradiation pattern can comprise at least two concentric circles. It is also possible for the irradiation pattern to include a spiral line. This spiral line may or may not include the center of the spiral. A cloverleaf shape can also be composed of several curved segments. By selecting a specific irradiation pattern, material properties can be influenced. For example, irradiation patterns that have a void in their center, i.e.,Irradiation patterns that exclude the electron beam from the surface can be used to selectively create pores. Conversely, irradiation patterns where the electron beam also traverses the center can be used to selectively avoid pores. Overall, by selecting a suitable irradiation pattern in conjunction with the filler wire, the gap between the first and second components can be reliably bridged during the metallurgical bonding process.

[0029] The process parameters of the electron beam for material-bonding can include one or more of the following parameters: a feed parameter for an additional material, in particular the filler wire; an irradiation pattern parameter, which describes the use of an irradiation pattern for the electron beam; an electron beam parameter, which defines a beam intensity and / or a beam diameter and / or a traverse speed; and a focus parameter, which describes the position of the electron beam focus. The feed parameter can include the wire feed rate and / or the wire diameter and / or the wire consumption. This allows for a highly customized feed of the filler wire, which can be adapted according to the requirements of the joint, the existing gap (section), and the components.Furthermore, the electron beam can be precisely tuned to the respective slit using the irradiation pattern parameter, the electron beam parameter, and the focus parameter to ensure a stable process for material bonding and optimal slit bridging. If the process parameter of the electron beam for material bonding includes several of the above parameters, it is conceivable that these can also be adjusted and coordinated in relation to one another.

[0030] Furthermore, the first and second components can be provided without any preparation. Alternatively, at least one section of the first component that defines the gap, and / or at least one section of the second component that defines the gap, can be machined without chips to prepare for the joining process. If the first and second components are provided without any preparation, this is particularly advantageous because the components can be joined directly after manufacturing without any intermediate steps. If at least the first and / or second component is machined without chips, the section(s) defining the gap can be cleaned, for example, to remove any contamination or surface corrosion. This, in turn, has a positive effect on the resulting joint quality and also on the process stability during the joining process.

[0031] Non-cutting seam preparation can include shot blasting, wire brushing, and / or laser plasma cutting. These seam preparation methods are particularly easy and quick to implement, especially when automated, resulting in significantly lower costs and time compared to machining.

[0032] Furthermore, the problem is solved by a device for joining a first component and a second component. The device is configured to carry out a method according to the invention. Such a device is therefore designed to join the first component and the second component together by means of an electron beam, bridging the gap at least partially, and to guide the electron beam along an irradiation pattern, while introducing an additional wire during the joining of the first and second components. The resulting effects and advantages are described in the preceding paragraphs.

[0033] The invention is explained below with reference to various embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. These show:

[0034] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a device according to the invention for joining a first component and a second component, by means of which a method according to the invention for joining a first component and a second component is carried out using an electron beam.

[0035] Figure 2 shows a detailed view of an exemplary joining zone, starting from the first

[0036] component and is formed from the second component shown in Figure 1,

[0037] Figure 3 shows a detailed view of the joining zone from Figure 2, along a direction III in Figure 2.

[0038] Figure 1 shows a device 10 for joining a first component 12 and a second component 14.

[0039] The device 10 comprises a vacuum chamber 20 with chamber walls 22. A work table 24 is positioned in the vacuum chamber 20.

[0040] The worktable 24 can be vertically adjustable. Furthermore, it is possible for the worktable 24 to rotate vertically and move within a horizontal plane. Optionally, the worktable 24 can also be tilted horizontally.

[0041] The first component 12 and the second component 14 are arranged on the upper side of the worktable 24. The worktable 24 includes a locking device 26 for securing the first component 12 and the second component 14.

[0042] The first component 12 and the second component 14 form a joining zone 16, which includes a gap 18 located between the first component 12 and the second component 14. This gap is shown schematically in Figure 1 and is larger than in reality.

[0043] The device 10 further comprises a feed unit 28, which is configured to feed an additional wire 30 into the joining zone 16. The feed unit 28 can therefore also be referred to as a wire feeder. The device also comprises a beam generation unit 32, which is configured to generate an electron beam 34.

[0044] Furthermore, a deflection unit 36 ​​is also part of the beam generation unit 32. The deflection unit 36 ​​comprises several magnetic coils by means of which the electron beam 34 can be oriented, i.e., aligned, within the vacuum chamber 20. This means that the electron beam 34 can be selectively directed to different points within the vacuum chamber 20 by means of the deflection unit 36.

[0045] Furthermore, the device 10 comprises at least one sensor unit 38, which serves to detect backscattered electrons. The sensor unit 38 is shown only schematically.

[0046] The device 10 is set up to carry out a method for joining the first component 12 and the second component 14 using the electron beam 34.

[0047] This procedure is explained below with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3. Figure 2 shows a detailed view of joining zone 16, and Figure 3 shows a detailed view of joining zone 16 along direction III in Figure 2.

[0048] In a first step S1, the first component 12 and the second component 14 are provided. As already explained, the first component 12 and the second component 14 form the joining zone 16, which encompasses the gap 18. In addition, the filler wire 30 is provided (see in particular Figures 2 and 3). Initially, both the first component 12 and the second component 14, as well as the filler wire 30, are in a solid state.

[0049] In this context, the term "gap" specifically refers not to a technically zero gap, but to a gap 18 that has a width of at least 0.3 mm and at most 2 mm, at least in sections, along the joining zone 16 between the components 12 and 14. This width can be the minimum width, the maximum width, or an average value. Even though Figure 3 shows a gap 18 with a constant width, the width can also vary along the length of the gap 18.

[0050] In the example shown, the first and second components 12 and 14 are provided without seam preparation. Consequently, according to this option, sections 40 and 42 of the first and second components 12 and 14, which define the gap 18, are no longer processed after the first component 12 and the second component 14 have been manufactured.

[0051] Alternatively, it is conceivable that at least one section 40, 42 is machined without chips to prepare for the material-bonded joint. This chipless seam preparation can be carried out by shot peening and / or wire brushing and / or laser plasma cutting.

[0052] In a second step S2, before the first component 12 and the second component 14 are joined together, a physical quantity characterizing the gap 18 is determined using the electron beam 34.

[0053] The electron beam 34 is operated with process parameters that differ from those used during the metallurgical joining process. The process parameter used here includes a first power parameter, which corresponds to a low power or current for generating the electron beam 34 or an accelerating voltage. With this first power parameter, the electron beam 34 does not melt the components 12 and 14. Likewise, the filler wire 30 is not melted.

[0054] An electron-optical measurement of the slit 18 is performed using the electron beam 34 with the first power parameter, in which the backscattered electrons are evaluated by the sensor unit 38. This allows physical quantities characterizing the slit 18 to be derived.

[0055] In the present example, the physical quantity characterizing the gap 18 consists of a gap width, a gap depth, a gap cross-section, and a ratio of gap width to gap depth. In the example shown in the figures, the gap depth corresponds to the component thickness of components 12 and 14.

[0056] The ratio of gap width to gap depth or gap width to component thickness can be between 0.015 and 0.3, in particular 0.025 and 0.12.

[0057] In the described procedure, the gap width can be at least 0.3 mm and a maximum of 2 mm, in particular 0.5 mm and a maximum of 1.2 mm, at least in sections along the joining zone 16 between the components.

[0058] The physical quantity characterizing the gap 18 is measured either in individual areas along a direction of extension of the gap 18 or along the entire gap 18.

[0059] In the next step S3, the first component 12 and the second component 14 are joined by means of the electron beam 34, at least partially bridging the gap 18 and supplying the additional wire 30.

[0060] The electron beam 34 is guided along an irradiation pattern 44, which in the illustrated example is symbolized by a dashed rectangle in Figure 3. The irradiation pattern 44 comprises a path on a surface of the first and second components 12, 14 and the auxiliary wire 30, along which the electron beam 34 is guided while directed at the first and second components 12, 14 and the auxiliary wire 30.

[0061] More precisely, the sections of the first component 12 and the second component 14 that are to be liquefied for joining the first component 12 and the second component 14, as well as the section of the additional wire 30 that is to be liquefied, are heated by means of the electron beam 34, which changes their state of matter from solid to liquid.

[0062] The irradiation figure 44 can include a circular line segment, a circular line, an elliptical line segment, an elliptical line, a curve segment, a polygon segment, a spiral contour, a line in the shape of a figure eight, a closed parabola and / or a meander line.

[0063] In the illustrated example, it is continuous, meaning that the electron beam 34 does not "jump" back and forth between the first and second components 12, 14 and the auxiliary wire 30, but moves continuously across the components 12, 14 and the auxiliary wire 30. The movement of the electron beam 34 is effected by means of the deflection unit 36.

[0064] The electron beam 34 is characterized by a process parameter during material joining. This process parameter includes at least one feed parameter for an additive material, encompassing the wire feed rate and / or wire diameter and / or wire consumption, and / or an irradiation pattern parameter describing the use of the irradiation pattern 44 for the electron beam 34, and / or an electron beam parameter defining a beam intensity and / or beam diameter and / or traverse speed, and / or a focus parameter describing the position of the focus of the electron beam 34.

[0065] Furthermore, the process parameters used for material-bonding include a second performance parameter, wherein the first performance parameter for determining the physical quantity characterizing the gap 18 in step S2 is smaller in magnitude than the second performance parameter.

[0066] During the material-bonding joining of the components 12, 14, the process parameters of the electron beam 34 for material-bonding of the components 12, 14 can also be based on at least one physical quantity characterizing the gap 18.

[0067] According to one option, it is possible to determine in step S2 the profile of the physical quantity characterizing the gap 18 along a direction of extension of the gap 18. In step S3, the process parameter used for the material-joining of the components 12, 14 can then be set and changed based on the profile of the physical quantity characterizing the gap 18, while the electron beam 34 is guided along the gap 18 and the first and second components 12, 14 are melted together with the filler wire 30 in the joining zone 16.

[0068] Figure 3 also illustrates a variant with dotted lines in which the irradiation figure 44 has a first section 44a along which the electron beam 34 is guided over the auxiliary wire 30. This first section 44a is, for example, essentially point-like.

[0069] Furthermore, in this variant, the irradiation figure 44 has a second section 44b, along which the electron beam 34 is guided over the first component 12, the second component 14 and the slit 18. The second section 44b is, for example, figure-eight shaped.

[0070] Additionally or alternatively, the process parameters used when the electron beam 34 is guided over the first section 44a and over the second section 44b can also differ. In the example shown, the process parameter relates to the focus position of the electron beam 34. The focus of the electron beam 34 lies above the joining zone 16 as long as it is guided along the first section 44a of the irradiation pattern 44. When the electron beam 34 is guided along the second section 44b of the irradiation pattern 44, the focus of the electron beam 34 lies inside the joining zone 16.

[0071] In the example shown, the figure-eight shaped second section 44b is traversed at a frequency of 500 Hz. This means that the second section is traversed 500 times per second using the electron beam 34.

[0072] Furthermore, the irradiation of the first section 44a and the second section 44b is alternated at a frequency of 10 kHz. This means that the switching between the first section 44a and the second section 44b occurs 10,000 times per second. The irradiation of the second section 44b is only partial between these switches. Specifically, the electron beam scans a portion of the second section 44b, then the first section 44a is irradiated, and subsequently the beam switches back to the second section 44b, where the irradiation of the second section 44b is continued, and so on.

[0073] Reference symbol list

[0074] Device first component second component

[0075] Joining zone

[0076] gap

[0077] vacuum chamber

[0078] Chamber walls

[0079] work table

[0080] Locking mechanism

[0081] Feed unit

[0082] Additional wire

[0083] Beam generating unit

[0084] electron beam

[0085] Deflection unit

[0086] Sensor unit

[0087] Section

[0088] Section

[0089] Irradiation pattern a first section of the irradiation pattern b second section of the irradiation pattern first step second step third step

Claims

Patent claims 1. Method for joining a first component (12) and a second component (14) using an electron beam (34), comprising: • Providing the first component (12) and the second component (14) as well as an additional wire (30), wherein the first component (12) and the second component (14) form a joining zone (16) which includes a gap (Sl) located between the first component (12) and the second component (14), and • joining the first component (12) and the second component (14) by means of the electron beam (34) by means of at least partial bridging of the gap, wherein the electron beam (34) is guided along an irradiation figure (44), and wherein the additional wire (30) is used in joining the first component (12) and the second component (14) (S3).

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein prior to the material joining, at least one physical quantity characterizing the gap is determined by means of the electron beam (34), wherein the electron beam (34) is operated with process parameters which are different from process parameters during the material joining (S2).

3. Method according to claim 2, wherein the physical quantity characterizing the gap describes a gap width and / or a gap depth and / or a gap cross-section and / or a ratio of the gap width to the gap depth.

4. Method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the process parameters used to determine at least one physical quantity characterizing the gap comprise a first performance parameter and the process parameters used for material joining comprise a second performance parameter, and wherein the first performance parameter is smaller in magnitude than the second performance parameter.

5. Method according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein a course of the physical quantity characterizing the gap along a direction of extension of the gap is determined and wherein at least one of the process parameters used for material joining is set and changed based on the course of the physical quantity characterizing the gap, while the electron beam (34) is guided along the gap to materially join the first component (12) and the second component (14).

6. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the irradiation pattern (44) comprises a first section (44a) along which the electron beam (34) is guided over the auxiliary wire (30), and wherein the irradiation pattern (44) comprises a second section (44b) along which the electron beam (34) is guided over the first component (12), the second component (14) and the slit, wherein the first section (44a) and the second section (44b) differ in their geometry and / or wherein the electron beam (34) is operated with different process parameters when guided along the first section (44a) and along the second section (44b) and / or wherein the first section (44a) and the second section (44b) are irradiated for different lengths of time by means of the electron beam (34).

7. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the irradiation figure (44) comprises a circular line segment, a circular line, an elliptical line segment, an elliptical line, a curve segment, a polygon segment, a spiral contour, a line in the shape of a figure eight, a closed parabola and / or a meander line.

8. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein process parameters of the electron beam (34) during material joining comprise one or more of the following parameters: a feed parameter for an additive material; an irradiation figure parameter describing the use of an irradiation figure (44) for the electron beam (34); an electron beam parameter specifying a beam intensity and / or a beam diameter and / or a traverse speed defined; a focus parameter that describes a position of the focus of the electron beam (34).

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the provision of the first component (12) and the second component (14) is carried out without seam preparation or wherein at least one section (40) of the first component (12) which limits the gap, and / or at least one section (42) of the second component (14) which limits the gap, is machined without chips for the preparation of the material-joining connection.

10. Device for joining a first component (12) and a second component (14), configured to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims.

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