Inventors:
Umit Bilge - Mt. Clemens MI
William C. Jenuwine - Marine City MI
Assignee:
General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI
International Classification:
B23K 2600
Abstract:
A method of laser welding steel sheets that have a thin corrosion protective coating of zinc. The steel sheets are positioned vertically. A pulsed laser beam, which is positioned normal to the sheets is applied to the sheets to melt the material of the sheets and create a weld. During welding, the laser beam is pulsed ON and OFF and the sheets and pulsed laser beam are moved vertically relative to each other such that laser heating of the material creates a cavity. Liquid or molten material flows vertically downwardly by gravity to elongate the cavity and thereby facilitate the escape of zinc vapors from the cavity.