Abstract: A method for processing large cast iron dies for use in pressing the sheet-metal components of vehicle bodies is described; this method results in improved pressing performance, such as extended life and, in particular, drastic reduction in rejects and downtimes due to seizure; its main characteristic consists of subjecting those die regions most subject to operational wear to localized heating by a laser beam which strikes normal to the surface so as to harden the treated regions without the risk of cracking; the treatment is implemented by a focusing head controlled by a robot having five capabilities of movement.

Abstract: A method for processing large cast iron dies for use in pressing the sheet-metal components of vehicle bodies is described; this method results in improved pressing performance, such as extended life and, in particular, drastic reduction in rejects and down-times due to seizure; its main characteristic consists of subjecting those die regions most subject to operational wear to localized heating by a laser beam which strikes normal to the surface so as to harden the treated regions without the risk of cracking; the treatment is implemented by a focusing head controlled by a robot having five capabilities of movement.