Abstract: Various implementations include a method of manufacturing one or more devices. The method includes obtaining a base portion of a non-shape-memory metal, disposing one or more shape-memory metal portions along the base portion, and joining at least a first layer of the non-shape-memory metal to the base portion using ultrasonic additive manufacturing. The shape-memory metal portions are disposed along a first base surface of the base portion. The shape-memory metal portions have a first portion contacting the base portion and a second portion spaced apart from the first portion and extending from the base portion. The first layer is joined to the base portion using ultrasonic additive manufacturing and has a first layer surface that is joined to the first base surface. The first layer surface contacts the shape-memory metal portions when the first layer is joined to the base portion.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the present disclosure provides a system for manufacturing transition structures including fiber threads embedded within a metal component. The system may include a supply of base sheet metal. The system may include a conveyor supported on a plurality of rollers and configured to move the base sheet metal in a production direction. The system may include a plurality of stages arranged in the production direction. Each stage may include a channel forming device configured to form a channel in the base sheet metal, a fiber inserting device configured to insert a portion of a fiber material into the channel, and one or more ultrasonic welders configured to consolidate a layer of metal foil over the fiber. The disclosure includes methods of using the system to produce transition structures and reinforced components.

Abstract: A transition structure includes a metallic portion, a fiber portion including a plurality of tows embedded within the metallic portion and extending out from the metallic portion forming a fabric, and a binding material forming a matrix surrounding the fiber portion embedded within the metallic portion. The fiber portion may be attached to or form part of a composite vehicle component. The transition structure may join a metallic component and a composite component. The transition structure may be manufactured by creating first channels within a layer of a metallic substrate, inserting fiber tows into the first channels, placing a first metallic layer over the metallic substrate and the fiber tows, consolidating the metallic layer to the metallic substrate, and binding the fiber tows within a resin. Prior to binding, additional layers of channels and fiber tows may be consolidated onto the first metallic layer.

Abstract: A composite component includes a reinforcement bonded to a base component by a bond formed by, or reinforced with, a localized coupling in the base component. The bond may be formed by ultrasonic additive manufacturing. The localized coupling may include a compression of the base component, a weld in the base component, or a heat affected zone of the weld. Where the bond is formed by the localized coupling, the localized coupling encompasses the reinforcement. Where the bond is reinforced with the localized coupling, the localized coupling may encompass the reinforcement, or be arranged at an inside radius of a turn in the reinforcement. The reinforcement results in the composite component having enhanced properties such as lower density, increased strength, stiffness, or energy absorption capabilities.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the present disclosure provides a system for manufacturing transition structures including fiber threads embedded within a metal component. The system may include a supply of base sheet metal. The system may include a conveyor supported on a plurality of rollers and configured to move the base sheet metal in a production direction. The system may include a plurality of stages arranged in the production direction. Each stage may include a channel forming device configured to form a channel in the base sheet metal, a fiber inserting device configured to insert a portion of a fiber material into the channel, and one or more ultrasonic welders configured to consolidate a layer of metal foil over the fiber. The disclosure includes methods of using the system to produce transition structures and reinforced components.

Abstract: A method of adding a reinforcement to a metal blank prior to a forming process. The reinforcement is attached via ultrasonic additive manufacturing (UAM) to create a composite blank which is then subjected to a forming process to bend and deform the composite blank and form a reinforced vehicle component. The reinforcement is placed on the metal blank such that after being subjected to the forming process, there is reinforcement in key areas of the formed vehicle component. The reinforcement results in the final formed vehicle component having enhanced properties such as lower density, increased strength, stiffness, or energy absorption capabilities.

Abstract: A vehicle body assembly is described herein, including a first structural component and a second structural component. The first structural component may be a roof component or a side panel, and include a first part including a first metal and a second part including a second metal different than the first metal. The second part is formed on a peripheral edge portion of the first part and defines a mounting flange for the first structural component. The second part is joined to the first part via an ultrasonic additive manufacturing (UAM) interface. The second structural component is including the second metal and is joined to the second part at the mounting flange via a resistance spot weld (RSW) joint.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the present disclosure provides a system for manufacturing transition structures including fiber threads embedded within a metal component. The system may include a supply of base sheet metal. The system may include a conveyor supported on a plurality of rollers and configured to move the base sheet metal in a production direction. The system may include a plurality of stages arranged in the production direction. Each stage may include a channel forming device configured to form a channel in the base sheet metal, a fiber inserting device configured to insert a portion of a fiber material into the channel, and one or more ultrasonic welders configured to consolidate a layer of metal foil over the fiber. The disclosure includes methods of using the system to produce transition structures and reinforced components.

Abstract: A composite component includes a reinforcement bonded to a base component by a bond formed by, or reinforced with, a localized coupling in the base component. The bond may be formed by ultrasonic additive manufacturing. The localized coupling may include a compression of the base component, a weld in the base component, or a heat affected zone of the weld. Where the bond is formed by the localized coupling, the localized coupling encompasses the reinforcement. Where the bond is reinforced with the localized coupling, the localized coupling may encompass the reinforcement, or be arranged at an inside radius of a turn in the reinforcement. The reinforcement results in the composite component having enhanced properties such as lower density, increased strength, stiffness, or energy absorption capabilities.

Abstract: Various implementations include a method of manufacturing one or more devices. The method includes obtaining a base portion of a non-shape-memory metal, disposing one or more shape-memory metal portions along the base portion, and joining at least a first layer of the non-shape-memory metal to the base portion using ultrasonic additive manufacturing. The shape-memory metal portions are disposed along a first base surface of the base portion. The shape-memory metal portions have a first portion contacting the base portion and a second portion spaced apart from the first portion and extending from the base portion. The first layer is joined to the base portion using ultrasonic additive manufacturing and has a first layer surface that is joined to the first base surface. The first layer surface contacts the shape-memory metal portions when the first layer is joined to the base portion.

Abstract: A transition structure includes a metallic portion, a fiber portion including a plurality of tows embedded within the metallic portion and extending out from the metallic portion forming a fabric, and a binding material forming a matrix surrounding the fiber portion embedded within the metallic portion. The fiber portion may be attached to or form part of a composite vehicle component. The transition structure may join a metallic component and a composite component. The transition structure may be manufactured by creating first channels within a layer of a metallic substrate, inserting fiber tows into the first channels, placing a first metallic layer over the metallic substrate and the fiber tows, consolidating the metallic layer to the metallic substrate, and binding the fiber tows within a resin. Prior to binding, additional layers of channels and fiber tows may be consolidated onto the first metallic layer.

Abstract: A transition structure includes a metallic portion, a fiber portion including a plurality of tows embedded within the metallic portion and extending out from the metallic portion forming a fabric, and a binding material forming a matrix surrounding the fiber portion embedded within the metallic portion. The fiber portion may be attached to or form part of a composite vehicle component. The transition structure may join a metallic component and a composite component. The transition structure may be manufactured by creating first channels within a layer of a metallic substrate, inserting fiber tows into the first channels, placing a first metallic layer over the metallic substrate and the fiber tows, consolidating the metallic layer to the metallic substrate, and binding the fiber tows within a resin. Prior to binding, additional layers of channels and fiber tows may be consolidated onto the first metallic layer.

Abstract: A vehicle body assembly is described herein, including a first structural component and a second structural component. The first structural component may be a roof component or a side panel, and include a first part including a first metal and a second part including a second metal different than the first metal. The second part is formed on a peripheral edge portion of the first part and defines a mounting flange for the first structural component. The second part is joined to the first part via an ultrasonic additive manufacturing (UAM) interface. The second structural component is including the second metal and is joined to the second part at the mounting flange via a resistance spot weld (RSW) joint.

Abstract: A vehicle body assembly is described herein, including a first structural component and a second structural component. The first structural component may be a roof component or a side panel, and include a first part including a first metal and a second part including a second metal different than the first metal. The second part is formed on a peripheral edge portion of the first part and defines a mounting flange for the first structural component. The second part is joined to the first part via an ultrasonic additive manufacturing (UAM) interface. The second structural component is including the second metal and is joined to the second part at the mounting flange via a resistance spot weld (RSW) joint.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the present disclosure provides a system for manufacturing transition structures including fiber threads embedded within a metal component. The system may include a supply of base sheet metal. The system may include a conveyor supported on a plurality of rollers and configured to move the base sheet metal in a production direction. The system may include a plurality of stages arranged in the production direction. Each stage may include a channel forming device configured to form a channel in the base sheet metal, a fiber inserting device configured to insert a portion of a fiber material into the channel, and one or more ultrasonic welders configured to consolidate a layer of metal foil over the fiber. The disclosure includes methods of using the system to produce transition structures and reinforced components.

Abstract: A vehicle body assembly is described herein, including a first structural component and a second structural component. The first structural component may be a roof component or a side panel, and include a first part including a first metal and a second part including a second metal different than the first metal. The second part is formed on a peripheral edge portion of the first part and defines a mounting flange for the first structural component. The second part is joined to the first part via an ultrasonic additive manufacturing (UAM) interface. The second structural component is including the second metal and is joined to the second part at the mounting flange via a resistance spot weld (RSW) joint.

Abstract: A method of adding a reinforcement to a metal blank prior to a forming process. The reinforcement is attached via ultrasonic additive manufacturing (UAM) to create a composite blank which is then subjected to a forming process to bend and deform the composite blank and form a reinforced vehicle component. The reinforcement is placed on the metal blank such that after being subjected to the forming process, there is reinforcement in key areas of the formed vehicle component. The reinforcement results in the final formed vehicle component having enhanced properties such as lower density, increased strength, stiffness, or energy absorption capabilities.

Abstract: A transition structure includes a metallic portion, a fiber portion including a plurality of tows embedded within the metallic portion and extending out from the metallic portion forming a fabric, and a binding material forming a matrix surrounding the fiber portion embedded within the metallic portion. The fiber portion may be attached to or form part of a composite vehicle component. The transition structure may join a metallic component and a composite component. The transition structure may be manufactured by creating first channels within a layer of a metallic substrate, inserting fiber tows into the first channels, placing a first metallic layer over the metallic substrate and the fiber tows, consolidating the metallic layer to the metallic substrate, and binding the fiber tows within a resin. Prior to binding, additional layers of channels and fiber tows may be consolidated onto the first metallic layer.