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United States Patent 6,417,482
Gysi July 9, 2002
Method and device for producing pipes

Abstract

A number of tubes that are about to be welded, or have already been welded, are positioned on a table. The seam of each tube is welded by a laser welding unit. While one tube is being welded, it is possible to load the other positions of the table with tubes for welding and/or to unload tubes that have already been welded. This makes it possible to obtain optimum utilization of the laser welding unit. A sensor is used to detect the positioning of the welding edges and a tube is rotated if necessary to properly position the tube for welding.

Inventors: Gysi; Peter (Bellikon, CH)
Assignee: Elpatronic AG (Bergdietikon, CH)
Appl. No.: 623435
Filed: September 1, 2000
PCT Filed: February 17, 1999
PCT NO: PCT/CH99/00078
371 Date: September 1, 2000
102(e) Date: September 1, 2000
PCT PUB.NO.: WO99/44763
PCT PUB. Date: September 10, 1999
Foreign Application Priority Data
Mar 04, 1998[CH]513/98
Dec 02, 1998[CH]2397/98

Current U.S. Class: 219/121.63; 219/59.1; 219/121.64; 219/121.83
Intern'l Class: B23K 026/00
Field of Search: 219/121.63,121.64,121.82,121.78,59.1,124.34,121.83 228/8,17.5,102,103,173.6

References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
4205216May., 1980Douglas219/121.
4959521Sep., 1990Maruyama219/121.
Foreign Patent Documents
0245145Apr., 1987EP.
4223247Jan., 1994EP.
0743129May., 1996EP.
58-112664Jul., 1983JP219/124.
59-112209Jun., 1984JP.
2-37973Feb., 1990JP219/124.
02076648Mar., 1990JP.
04118191Apr., 1992JP.
8-267246Oct., 1996JP.
09029477Feb., 1997JP.
WO 98/26898Jun., 1998WO.

Primary Examiner: Evans; Geoffrey S.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: McCormick, Paulding & Huber LLP
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