A method and associated device for joining a battery cell tab to a plurality of foils associated with a plurality of electrodes of a battery cell are described. This includes arranging the plurality of foils in a stack, and joining, via a first joining device, the plurality of foils, wherein the first joining device defines a joining region. A portion of the battery cell tab is arranged on the plurality of foils, and joined, via a second joining device, to the plurality of foils. The second joining device generates a weld joint that is encompassed within the joining region defined by the first joining device. In doing so, weld quality and strength of internal welds in a battery cell may be improved by reducing the occurrence of porosities and cracks in the foil/tab weld joints.

A method and associated device for joining a battery cell tab to a plurality of foils associated with a plurality of electrodes of a battery cell are described. This includes arranging the plurality of foils in a stack, and joining, via a first joining device, the plurality of foils, wherein the first joining device defines a joining region. A portion of the battery cell tab is arranged on the plurality of foils, and joined, via a second joining device, to the plurality of foils. The second joining device generates a weld joint that is encompassed within the joining region defined by the first joining device. In doing so, weld quality and strength of internal welds in a battery cell may be improved by reducing the occurrence of porosities and cracks in the foil/tab weld joints.

A joining method, etc., is provided, suitable for providing improved joining giving attention to the relation between a horn part and a joining member group. A joining machine performs joining of the joining member group (a first joining member and a second joining member). A horn part of a joining processing part applies sound vibration and/or ultrasound vibration to the joining member group via a buffer member. The horn part and the first joining member are each formed of metal. The buffer member has a greater softness than that of the metal that forms the horn part.

A joining method, etc., is provided, suitable for providing improved joining giving attention to the relation between a horn part and a joining member group. A joining machine performs joining of the joining member group (a first joining member and a second joining member). A horn part of a joining processing part applies sound vibration and/or ultrasound vibration to the joining member group via a buffer member. The horn part and the first joining member are each formed of metal. The buffer member has a greater softness than that of the metal that forms the horn part.

A member-joined structure includes: a first member, and a second member having a shape of plate, the second member including an overlapping portion that overlaps with the first member and a protruding portion that protrudes from the overlapping portion along a first direction. In the overlapping portion, a joined portion in which the first member and the second member are joined to each other by welding or fusing is formed. The joined portion is provided with a notch portion located opposite to the protruding portion.

The disclosure herein describes various methods for producing a composite thickness metal part. Such methods include cutting out a base component having a first thickness, cutting out a foil sheet having a second thickness less than the first thickness, and loading the base component and the foil sheet into a fixture. Then the methods include passing the fixture containing the base component and the foil sheet through an ultrasonic welding machine to join the foil sheet to the base component and form an interim part that includes the foil sheet joined to the base component and cutting away preselected sections of the foil sheet from the interim part to produce a final geometry of the composite thickness metal part.

The disclosure herein describes various methods for producing a composite thickness metal part. Such methods include cutting out a base component having a first thickness, cutting out a foil sheet having a second thickness less than the first thickness, and loading the base component and the foil sheet into a fixture. Then the methods include passing the fixture containing the base component and the foil sheet through an ultrasonic welding machine to join the foil sheet to the base component and form an interim part that includes the foil sheet joined to the base component and cutting away preselected sections of the foil sheet from the interim part to produce a final geometry of the composite thickness metal part.

A protective apparatus comprising a first panel, a rear panel, and a mask, the first panel including a front side and a back side, the first panel including at least a transparent portion, the rear panel being coupled to the first panel, the front side of the rear panel including at least four supporting members, each of the at least four supporting members including a flat edge to enable positioning of a collectible object, the cavity being at least between the flat edges of the four supporting members, and the mask coupled to the back side of the first panel, the mask being opaque and extending around a perimeter of the back side of the first panel, the mask covering an inside of the protective apparatus between the first panel and the second panel.

A protective apparatus comprising a first panel, a rear panel, and a mask, the first panel including a front side and a back side, the first panel including at least a transparent portion, the rear panel being coupled to the first panel, the front side of the rear panel including at least four supporting members, each of the at least four supporting members including a flat edge to enable positioning of a collectible object, the cavity being at least between the flat edges of the four supporting members, and the mask coupled to the back side of the first panel, the mask being opaque and extending around a perimeter of the back side of the first panel, the mask covering an inside of the protective apparatus between the first panel and the second panel.

An ultrasonic additive manufacturing system may include a base structure, a sonotrode configured to rotate about an axis of rotation, and one or more transducers configured to vibrate the sonotrode. The sonotrode may include a welding surface extending along a circumference of the sonotrode, and the welding surface may have a contoured profile. At least one of the sonotrode and the base structure may be configured to translate relative to the other of the sonotrode and the base structure.