Method for welding relatively small parts

Abstract From the Canadian patent

Laser jet welding of an outer sleeve to an inner fiber ferrule is expedited by first, machining a thinned region in the outer diameter of the sleeve. After the ferrule has been inserted in the sleeve, the thinned region permits the laser to fuse through the sleeve and melt part of the ferrule, as is required for laser welding of ferrule for the sleeve. The thinned region is preferably made by using a rotary cutter to cut an axially extending slot in the outer sleeve, which permits a succession of laser welds in the axial direction in the slot. In a preferred embodiment thinned regions are made on opposite, sides of the outer sleeve and laser welding is performed simultaneously on both sides …