A method for matching and tracking workpieces in laser etching operation includes generating by the computer a label image that uniquely identifies the workpiece, moving a laser head to the workpiece, setting the laser head to a first power level by a power controller, etching the product image on the workpiece using a laser beam emitted from the laser head, wherein the laser beam is modulated at the first power level in accordance with a product image in a pixel wise fashion across the workpiece, moving the laser head to the label by the transport mechanism, setting the laser head to a second power level by the power controller, etching the label image on the workpiece using a laser beam emitted from the laser head, wherein the laser beam is modulated at the second power level in accordance with the label image in a pixel wise fashion across the label.

A mounting assembly for a spot-joining apparatus comprises a first support arm (24). The first support arm (24) has a mounting surface (26), and receiving portion configured to receive an actuator or an anvil. The mounting assembly also comprises an alignment bracket (28) configured to engage with the actuator or anvil. The alignment bracket (28) is movable between a plurality of locations on the mounting surface (26) of the first support arm (24). The mounting assembly further comprises a clamp assembly (52, 29, 66a, 66b, 70, 70b or 52, 29, 88, 92, 98, 90, 96) configured to secure the alignment bracket (28) in any of the plurality of locations.

An upholstery layer of a vehicle interior panel includes an airbag tear seam formed as a plurality of blind cuts arranged along a tear seam pattern. Each one of the blind cuts is formed by laser material removal at a plurality of locations along the pattern. Laser energy is delivered to the upholstery layer in a series of ultra-short pulses to form the blind cuts, which are formed in the upholstery layer while separate from a substrate of the panel. This technique is particularly useful with leather upholstery materials, in which non-visible airbag tear seams have been proven difficult to form.

The invention relates to a method for introducing a defined weakening line by means of material removal on a cover material (20) which has a visible side (22) and a rear side (21) opposite the visible side (22), in which a pulsed laser beam (31) from a laser (30) is aimed at the rear side (21) of the cover material (20) and is guided along a path (50) and at least one observation unit (11) for monitoring the weakening process is provided underneath the visible side (22) of the cover material (20), wherein a second laser beam (61) from a second laser (60) is coupled into the beam path of the first laser beam (31), wherein the first pulsed laser beam (31) is used to produce the weakening line, and the radiation from the second laser beam (61) that emerges on the visible side (22) is detected by the at least one observation unit (11).

The invention relates to footwear and portions thereof having structural features and decorative designs thereon, and related systems and methods for manufacturing same. An exemplary method for providing a feature on a surface of an object includes positioning a laser proximate the surface of the object, directing a laser beam from the laser to the surface of the object to mark or engrave at least a portion of the surface of the object, and moving at least one of the laser and the object to create a pattern on the surface of the object, the pattern providing at least one of an aesthetic and a structural feature on the surface of the object.

A method of inserting a rivet into a workpiece comprises moving the rivet and workpiece relative to one another, along a longitudinal axis of the rivet, so as to drive the rivet into the workpiece. The rivet is rotated about its longitudinal axis, relative to the workpiece, for at least part of the time during which it is in contact with the workpiece. The speed of said rotation, or the speed of movement along the longitudinal axis of the rivet, is altered at least once before driving of the rivet into the workpiece is complete. One axial end of the rivet has a tip for piercing the workpiece, and the rivet has a substantially cylindrical shank extending longitudinally from the tip. The shank has one or more surface irregularities.

The invention relates to footwear and portions thereof having structural features and decorative designs thereon, and related systems and methods for manufacturing same. An exemplary method for providing a feature on a surface of an object includes positioning a laser proximate the surface of the object, directing a laser beam from the laser to the surface of the object to mark or engrave at least a portion of the surface of the object, and moving at least one of the laser and the object to create a pattern on the surface of the object, the pattern providing at least one of an aesthetic and a structural feature on the surface of the object.

A method of inserting a rivet (2) into a workpiece (42, 44, 46) comprises moving the rivet (2) and workpiece (42, 44, 46) relative to one another, along a longitudinal axis of the rivet, so as to drive the rivet into the workpiece. The rivet is rotated about its longitudinal axis, relative to the workpiece, for at least part of the time during which it is in contact with the workpiece. The speed of said rotation, or the speed of movement along the longitudinal axis of the rivet, is altered at least once before driving of the rivet into the workpiece is complete.

A method for manufacturing an automotive interior component may include providing a cover, a substrate, a chute connected to the substrate, heating the cover, forming the cover via a negative vacuum forming tool, and supporting the substrate and chute via a buck. The method may include moving at least of the negative vacuum forming tool and the buck toward the other of the negative vacuum forming tool and the buck such that the cover and the substrate may be in contact with each other. The method may include bonding the substrate with the cover via providing pressurized fluid to a chamber of the buck to force the substrate toward the cover. The chamber may be defined by the buck and the substrate.

An upholstery layer of a vehicle interior panel includes an airbag tear seam formed as a plurality of blind cuts arranged along a tear seam pattern. Each one of the blind cuts is formed by laser material removal at a plurality of locations along the pattern. Laser energy is delivered to the upholstery layer in a series of ultra-short pulses to form the blind cuts, which are formed in the upholstery layer while separate from a substrate of the panel. This technique is particularly useful with leather upholstery materials, in which non-visible airbag tear seams have been proven difficult to form.