Manufacturing system implementing laser-curing of epoxied joints

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017305070-A1
Application number	US-201715498368-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 26, 2017
Priority date	Apr 26, 2016
Publication date	Oct 26, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A manufacturing system may include at least one clamp configured to maintain a distance of separation between a first component and a second component for an epoxy provided therebetween. The manufacturing system may also include a laser, and a controller in communication with the laser. The controller may be configured to cause the laser to direct at least one light beam against one of the first and second components to heat the epoxy by conduction to a cure temperature.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A manufacturing system, comprising:
at least one clamp configured to maintain a distance of separation between a first component and a second component for an epoxy provided therein; a laser; and a controller in communication with the laser and configured to cause the laser to direct at least one light beam against one of the first and second components to heat the epoxy by conduction to a cure temperature.

2 . The manufacturing system of claim 1 , wherein the distance of separation between the first and second components is about 0.25 mm.

3 . The manufacturing system of claim 1 , wherein the cure temperature is less than about one-third of a lowest melting temperature of the first and second components.

4 . The manufacturing system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to cause the laser, via the at least one light beam, to maintain a temperature of the epoxy at the cure temperature for a cure time.

5 . The manufacturing system of claim 4 , wherein the cure time is less than about 60 seconds.

6 . The manufacturing system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to cause the laser to direct the at least one light beam against the one of the first and second components at spaced apart intervals along a joint formed for coupling the first and second components to one another.

7 . The manufacturing system of claim 6 , wherein each of the spaced apart intervals is located immediately adjacent the at least one clamp.

8 . The manufacturing system of claim 6 , further including a locator configured to detect a location on the joint, wherein the controller is in communication with the locator and configured to guide the laser based on the location on the joint detected by the locator.

9 . The manufacturing system of claim 8 , wherein the locator includes a camera.

10 . The manufacturing system of claim 1 , further including a dispenser configured to dispense the epoxy onto at least one of the first and second components before the first and second components are brought together by the at least one clamp.

11 . The manufacturing system of claim 1 , further including a beam splitter configured to divide the at least one light beam into multiple light beams.

12 . A method of manufacture, comprising:
providing a quantity of epoxy in a space between a first component and a second component; and directing a light beam against at least one of the first and second components to heat the epoxy by conduction to a cure temperature.

13 . The method of claim 12 , further including maintaining, via the light beam, a temperature of the epoxy at the cure temperature for a cure time.

14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein directing the light beam against the at least one of the first and second components includes directing the light beam against an outer surface opposite an inner surface that contacts the epoxy.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein directing the light beam against the at least one of the first and second components includes directing the light beam against a thinner one of the first and second components.

16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein directing the light beam against the at least one of the first and second components includes directing the light beam against the one of the first and second components fabricated from a material having a greater coefficient of thermal conductivity.

17 . The method of claim 12 , further including clamping the first component to the second component to maintain a substantially constant distance of separation between the first and second components.

18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the substantially constant distance of separation is about 0.25 mm.

19 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the cure temperature is less than about one-third of a lowest melting temperature of the first and second components.

20 . An automotive body, comprising:
a first body panel having a first flange; at least one of a second body panel and a frame having a second flange; and a heat-cured epoxy sandwiched between the first and second flanges, wherein the first and second flanges are connected to each other by only the heat-cured epoxy.

Assignees

• Faraday&Future Inc

Inventors

• Hirshey Iii John Arthur
• Busiello Marco

Classifications

• B62D27/026

  Connections by glue bonding (in general F16B11/00; processes C09J5/00) · CPC title

• B29L2031/30

  Vehicles, e.g. ships or aircraft, or body parts thereof {(vanes or blades B29L2031/08, air bags B29L2022/027)} · CPC title

• B29C65/54 Primary

  between pre-assembled parts · CPC title

• B62D25/00

  Superstructure {or monocoque structure} sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for {(having impact absorbing means B62D21/15; running-boards, steps, or the like as superstructure sub-unit B60R3/00)} · CPC title

• B62D65/02

  Joining sub-units or components to, or positioning sub-units or components with respect to, body shell or other sub-units or components · CPC title