Method and apparatus for automated processing and handling of mash weldedsheet metal blanks
First Claim
1. A method of automatically welding and handling mash welded tailored blank composites, each completed blank composite consisting of two or more sheet component parts of equal or unequal thickness welded together along linear weld seams, the method comprising the steps of:
- transferring first and second sheet component parts from respective input stacks of said first and second sheet component parts to an assembly table of a mash welding machine;
assembling the sheet component parts disposed in an overlapping lap joint configuration;
welding the lap joint along a linear weld seam thus defining a welded blank composite;
conveying the welded blank composite in a timed step manner from the welding machine to an output stacking machine via a magnetic stepping conveyor;
the welded blank composite from the conveyor to an output stack of completed composites with a stacking machine.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for automatically welding and handling mash welded tailored blank composites. The method comprises the steps of transferring first and second sheet component parts from respective input stacks to an assembly table of a mash welding machine. The sheet components are disposed in an overlapping lap joint configuration and the lap joint is welded along a linear weld seam thus defining a welded blank. The welded blank is conveyed in a timed step manner from the welding machine to an output stacking machine via a magnetic stepping conveyor and the blank is transferred from the conveyor to an output stack of completed blanks with a stacking machine. An apparatus is provided to carry out the method.
57 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of automatically welding and handling mash welded tailored blank composites, each completed blank composite consisting of two or more sheet component parts of equal or unequal thickness welded together along linear weld seams, the method comprising the steps of:
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transferring first and second sheet component parts from respective input stacks of said first and second sheet component parts to an assembly table of a mash welding machine; assembling the sheet component parts disposed in an overlapping lap joint configuration; welding the lap joint along a linear weld seam thus defining a welded blank composite; conveying the welded blank composite in a timed step manner from the welding machine to an output stacking machine via a magnetic stepping conveyor; the welded blank composite from the conveyor to an output stack of completed composites with a stacking machine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for automatically welding and handling mash welded tailored blank composites, each completed blank composite consisting of two or more sheet component parts of equal or unequal thickness welded together along linear weld seams, the apparatus comprising:
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a mash welding machine having an assembly table including means for assembling the sheet component parts disposed in an overlapping lap joint configuration and means for welding the lap joint along a linear weld seam, thus defining a welded blank composite; stacking machine means for stacking completed blank composites into an output stack; means for transferring first and second sheet component parts from respective input stacks of said first and second parts to said assembly table of the mash welding machine; and magnetic conveyor means for conveying the welded blank composite in a timed step manner from the welding machine to said stacking machine means. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus for automatically welding and handling welded tailored blank composites, each completed blank composite consisting of two or more sheet component parts of equal or unequal thickness welded together along weld seams, the apparatus comprising:
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a welding machine having an assembly table including means for assembling the sheet component parts disposed in an abutting joint configuration and means for welding the joint along a weld seam, thus defining a welded blank composite; stacking machine means for stacking completed blank composites into an output stack; means for transferring first and second sheet component parts from respective input stacks of said first and second parts to said assembly table of the welding machine; and a magnetic stepping conveyor for conveying the welded blank composite in a timed step manner from the welding machine to said stacking machine means.
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Specification