A metal plate for laser processing (such as a stainless steel plate or a titanium plate) and preferably an austenitic stainless steel plate suitable for use as a metal mask or the like which undergoes fine processing with a laser has an average grain diameter d (μm) and a plate thickness t (μm) which satisfy the equation d≦0.0448.Math.t−1.28.

A method for making a crescent shaped metallic device for attaching to the exterior of the pipe to provide intimate contact for an enhanced acoustic sensing system using a fiber optic sensing cable that can be interrogated by distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) systems wherein the crescent shaped metallic device is used for attaching to the exterior of the pipe and the method of making includes the use of additive layer-wise manufacturing.

A method of bonding a first article to a second article, each article having a respective bond surface. The method comprises interposing a porous interlayer region between the bond surfaces of the first and second articles and subsequently using electrical resistance heating to locally heat the interlayer region under contact pressure to a bonding temperature below the melting temperature of the interlayer and the first and second articles to thereby bond the interlayer to the first and second articles to form a bonded article. The interlayer has a porosity of between approximately 10% and 30%.

Methods and systems for welding are disclosed, including generating electromagnetic radiation from an ultrashort pulse laser; coupling the electromagnetic radiation from the ultrashort pulse laser to a scanner comprising a scanning and focus range, wherein the scanner is configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation from the ultrashort laser and to scan and focus the electromagnetic radiation onto a joining interface of one or more materials; using a computer to adjust the pulse repetition rate and the average power of the ultrashort pulse laser; using one or more stages to position the joining interface; using a dichroic filter positioned between the scanner and the one or more materials; and focusing an imager and processor through the dichroic filter and onto the joining interface to monitor the joining interface of the one or more materials within the scanning and focus range of the electromagnetic radiation. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

A manufacturing method for a metal member includes irradiating a first region of a surface of the base material, the surface having at least any one of Cu, Al, Sn, Ti, and Fe, as a main component, with a laser beam to melt the first region; generating metal particles from a vapor or plasma of a metal released to a predetermined atmosphere by melting the surface of the base material in the first region, and depositing the metal particles in the first region; irradiating a second region adjacent to the first region with a laser beam to melt the second region; and generating metal particles from a vapor or plasma of a metal released to a predetermined atmosphere by melting the surface of the base material in the second region, and depositing the metal particles in each of the first region and the second region.

This laser irradiation mechanism includes a control unit which has a function allowing the focal point of a laser beam to describe a circle, performs control such that the focal point describes a spiral, and performs control such that the central axis of the spiral moves along a curved surface.

Shapeable guide wire devices and methods for their manufacture. Guide wire devices include an elongate shaft member having a shapeable distal end section that is formed from a linear pseudoelastic nickel-titanium (Ni—Ti) alloy that has linear pseudoelastic behavior without a phase transformation or onset of stress-induced martensite. Linear pseudoelastic Ni—Ti alloy, which is distinct from non-linear pseudoelastic (i.e., superelastic) Ni—Ti alloy, is highly durable, corrosion resistant, and has high stiffness. The shapeable distal end section is shapeable by a user to facilitate guiding the guide wire through tortuous anatomy. In addition, linear pseudoelastic Ni—Ti alloy is more durable tip material than other shapeable tip materials such as stainless steel.

The present invention relates to a method for laser cladding and forming of a metal or alloy under partial atmosphere protection. Including: transporting a metal or alloy powder beam by an inert carrier gas to move on a machined surface with a focused laser beam; and forming at least one layer of inert protective gas at the outer periphery of the metal or alloy powder beam. The inert protective gas includes first inert protective gas, and the first inert protective gas is at the outer periphery of the focused laser beam. The problems of limited size, high cost and difficulty in moving a cladding and forming system and the like during part forming are solved by forming the inert protective gas at the outer periphery of the focused laser beam. Compared with the prior art, the convenient, fast and economical method is provided for on-site part forming and repair.

An implantable medical device includes an enclosure having a sidewall and a welded seam in the sidewall, the seam extends along a perimeter of the enclosure. A thermoform is located adjacent a surface of the enclosure and is secured in place within the enclosure. A metalized surface is located adjacent an interior surface of the enclosure sidewall and is secured in place by the thermoform. The metalized surface extends along a perimeter of the enclosure and is configured to obstruct laser energy during a weld seam process. The metalized surface may be provided as a separate backup band component or may be integrated in a perimeter sidewall of the thermoform.

A non-weldable workpiece may be affixed to a weldable workpiece by friction stirring the weldable workpiece to plasticize and extrude at least a portion thereof into a recess in the non-weldable workpiece. The weldable workpiece may then be welded to a body of a downhole tool to enable the welding of a non-weldable workpiece onto a body to increase the wear-resistance of the body.