Welded Ring Edge Machining for Reliable Laser Joining

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Lower-strength welded rings with material strengths between 250 N/mm² and 400 N/mm² face challenges in achieving smooth cut edges suitable for laser welding due to rough edges from the cutting process, which are not sufficient for reliable laser welding.

Innovation Solution

A method that involves machining the cut edges using bumping, broaching, or scraping to improve the quality of the separation points, allowing for reliable laser welding by ensuring a sufficient degree of cutting grade while smoothing the edges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a separating cut is made with a knife and counter-knife on low-strength rings, then the cutting process is simple, but the cut edges become rough and unsuitable for laser welding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting process simplicityVSAvoidcut edge quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies a preliminary machining step (bumping, broaching, or scraping) to the cut edges before laser welding. This preliminary action removes the roughness caused by the separating cut and creates a surface that is suitable for laser welding, thereby resolving the contradiction between simple cutting and high-quality cut edges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If the cut edges are smoothed too much, then the surface becomes too smooth and loses the necessary cutting grade for reliable welding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface smoothnessVSAvoidwelding reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies different surface qualities to different aspects of the cut edge. The machining process (bumping, broaching, or scraping) creates a surface that is smooth enough for laser welding while preserving the necessary geometric precision and fit at the separation point. This local differentiation of surface quality resolves the contradiction between smoothness and welding reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If laser welding is applied to low-strength rings with rough cut edges, then the market demand for laser-welded rings is met, but the welding quality is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemarket adaptabilityVSAvoidweld seam quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention prepares the cut edges through preliminary machining (bumping, broaching, or scraping) before laser welding. This preliminary action ensures that the surface quality is sufficient for high-quality laser welding, thereby enabling the production of laser-welded low-strength rings that meet market demands while maintaining high weld seam quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables the production of welded rings with low material strength that can be laser-welded, meeting market demands for high-quality, visually appealing joints, despite the limitations of lower material strength.

Implementation Method 1

The end surfaces to be welded on the bent ring part are machined before the welding and then laser-welded at the welding station

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser welding: Laser Beam Welding

Implementation Method 2

Since the separating point does not have sufficient quality due to the relatively low material strength, the separating point 2 or the strip ends to be welded are machined according to the invention before the welding. This can be done by bumping, broaching, chiseling or scraping

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMachining by bumping, broaching or scraping: Abrasion

Data Source

PatentEP3769901B1Method and device for producing welded rings
Publication Date: 2022.03.16 WILH KAMPER GMBH U CO KG
  • EP3769901B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for producing welded rings (1), in which a strip of length corresponding to the ring diameter is bent into a ring (1) and welded at its ends, wherein the strip ends to be welded together are machined or trimmed on both sides before welding. The invention further relates to a device for producing welded rings.