The invention relates to methods for laser welding a first and a second workpiece portion with a laser beam that is guided using a laser machining head along a joining gap formed between the workpiece portions, in which method the laser beam is focused and a filler is lined up with the joining gap. At least one gap width of the joining gap of the workpiece portions to be welded is detected and evaluated along the course of the joining gap and compared with at least a first and a second gap measurement. If a detected gap width is within the first gap measurement, the feeding of the filler to the joining gap is stopped and a beam profile of the laser beam is set with a point or annular focus, and if a detected gap width is within the second gap measurement, a feeding of the filler is actuated.

A shift in position of a laser beam used for welding objects is corrected without need for intervention by a welder. An irradiator performs welding along a welding part of objects to be welded by relatively moving objects to be welded and a nozzle for emitting a laser beam. An arm apparatus movably holds the nozzle while applying a biasing force to the nozzle in a direction toward the welding part such that the nozzle comes into contact with objects to be welded to irradiate the welding part with the laser beam.

A shift in position of a laser beam used for welding objects is corrected without need for intervention by a welder. An irradiator performs welding along a welding part of objects to be welded by relatively moving objects to be welded and a nozzle for emitting a laser beam. An arm apparatus movably holds the nozzle while applying a biasing force to the nozzle in a direction toward the welding part such that the nozzle comes into contact with objects to be welded to irradiate the welding part with the laser beam.

Lap joints and butt joints can be used for braze-welding metals together, particularly metal sheet materials. Disclosed herein are hybrid joints that include features of both lap joints and of butt joints, that are suitable for braze-welding together articles and workpieces, particularly sheets, composed of different metals including aluminum and steel. Methods for braze-welding such hybrid joints are also disclosed.

Lap joints and butt joints can be used for braze-welding metals together, particularly metal sheet materials. Disclosed herein are hybrid joints that include features of both lap joints and of butt joints, that are suitable for braze-welding together articles and workpieces, particularly sheets, composed of different metals including aluminum and steel. Methods for braze-welding such hybrid joints are also disclosed.

A hot formed joined blank includes a first metal blank having an ultimate tensile strength of ≥about 1300 MPa to ≤about 2000 MPa and defining a first surface, a second metal blank having an ultimate tensile strength of ≥about 400 MPa to ≤about 1200 MPa and defining a second coated surface having a coating disposed thereon. The coating includes aluminum and silicon or in alternative variations, zinc. A third surface of the second metal blank is joined to the first surface of the first metal blank to form the hot formed joined blank. A weld nugget is disposed along a boundary between the first and second metal blanks that is configured to join the first and second metal blanks, where the weld nugget optionally includes less than or equal to about 1.5 weight percent aluminum or a microstructure comprising austenite and delta-ferrite.

A hot formed joined blank includes a first metal blank having an ultimate tensile strength of ≥about 1300 MPa to ≤about 2000 MPa and defining a first surface, a second metal blank having an ultimate tensile strength of ≥about 400 MPa to ≤about 1200 MPa and defining a second coated surface having a coating disposed thereon. The coating includes aluminum and silicon or in alternative variations, zinc. A third surface of the second metal blank is joined to the first surface of the first metal blank to form the hot formed joined blank. A weld nugget is disposed along a boundary between the first and second metal blanks that is configured to join the first and second metal blanks, where the weld nugget optionally includes less than or equal to about 1.5 weight percent aluminum or a microstructure comprising austenite and delta-ferrite.

The present invention relates to a method for joining a first blank and a second blank, wherein at least one of the first and second blanks comprises at least a layer of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. In particular, the method comprises placing the first and second blanks for welding; laser welding the first and second blanks following a welding path thus forming a tailor welded blank, wherein the welding path combines a linear movement along a welding direction and oscillating movements substantially transverse to the welding direction and then hot deforming and quenching the tailor welded blank to form a component, wherein the welding is done without using a filler.

The invention proposes a method for connecting plate-like components of a bipolar plate, comprising the steps of placing a first plate-like component on a clamping surface, placing a second plate-like component onto the first plate-like component, fitting a plurality of hold-down devices on an outer surface of the second plate-like component, said outer surface facing away from the first plate-like component and the clamping surface, wherein an envisaged seam line is kept free between the hold-down devices, pressing of the plate-like components together using all of the hold-down devices, wherein, for this purpose, a magnetic force acting in the direction of the clamping surface is applied to at least one of the hold-down devices, and welding the plate-like components along the seam line in a continuous operation.

The invention proposes a method for connecting plate-like components of a bipolar plate, comprising the steps of placing a first plate-like component on a clamping surface, placing a second plate-like component onto the first plate-like component, fitting a plurality of hold-down devices on an outer surface of the second plate-like component, said outer surface facing away from the first plate-like component and the clamping surface, wherein an envisaged seam line is kept free between the hold-down devices, pressing of the plate-like components together using all of the hold-down devices, wherein, for this purpose, a magnetic force acting in the direction of the clamping surface is applied to at least one of the hold-down devices, and welding the plate-like components along the seam line in a continuous operation.