ofIn the butt-joining sheet metal blanks by beam welding for the
prodn. of taylored blanks of variable thickness, the blanks are
stacked with at least one edge aligned, clamped together between
clamping bars on each side and machined on the aligned side of the
stack prior to butting the prepared edges and joining the blanks by
welding along the seam. An edge prepn. fixture is also claimed.