Abstract: A hot stamping system includes a controller programmed to alter a coolant flow rate, without altering cycle time, in an active cooling system of a die arrangement, configured to hot stamp metal into components, based on an amount of heat transferred from the components to the active cooling system such that a grain structure of the components transitions from an austenitic state to a martensitic state while the die arrangement is closed.

Abstract: A die apparatus including a first die element, a plurality of second die elements, a plurality of actuators, and a controller is provided. Each of the plurality of actuators is mounted to one of the plurality of second die elements. The controller is programmed to activate the actuators to contact and compress portions of a blank disposed between the die elements at separate pressures to influence microstructure forming for one of a geometry transition region, a deformation region, and a joining region. One of the separate pressures applied to one of the portions of the blank may be approximately 5 N/mm2 or less to form a soft strength zone. The pressure of approximately 5 N/mm2 or less may be applied to the one of the portions of the blank for approximately one to two seconds.

Abstract: A die apparatus including a first die element, a plurality of second die elements, a plurality of actuators, and a controller is provided. Each of the plurality of actuators is mounted to one of the plurality of second die elements. The controller is programmed to activate the actuators to contact and compress portions of a blank disposed between the die elements at separate pressures to influence microstructure forming for one of a geometry transition region, a deformation region, and a joining region. One of the separate pressures applied to one of the portions of the blank may be approximately 5 N/mm2 or less to form a soft strength zone. The pressure of approximately 5 N/mm2 or less may be applied to the one of the portions of the blank for approximately one to two seconds.

Abstract: A method of treating a blank is provided. The method includes moving a blank through a first section of a furnace at an inter-critical temperature and through a second section of the furnace at a critical temperature greater than the inter-critical temperature before hot stamping the blank. Movement of the blank from the first section to the second section of the furnace is delayed during a hot stamping line stoppage. The blank is in the first section of the furnace for a first time period and in the second section of the furnace a second time period less than the first time period. Also, the first section of the furnace may have a first length and in the second section of the furnace may have a second length that is less than the first length.

Abstract: A die apparatus including a first die element and a second die element is provided. The first die element is arranged with the second die element for disposal of a blank therebetween and includes a coolant channel and a trim groove for alignment with a trim line of the blank. A groove insert is disposed within the trim groove arranged to support a portion of the blank extending thereover and to reduce a cooling rate of the blank. The groove insert may be of a material including reflective radiation characteristics to reduce heat transfer from portions of the blank adjacent the trim line. The first die element may include a cavity aligned with a pierce region of the blank so that the pierce region does not contact an adjacent die element surface.

Abstract: A die apparatus including a first die element and a second die element is provided. The first die element is arranged with the second die element for disposal of a blank therebetween and includes a coolant channel and a trim groove for alignment with a trim line of the blank. A groove insert is disposed within the trim groove arranged to support a portion of the blank extending thereover and to reduce a cooling rate of the blank. The groove insert may be of a material including reflective radiation characteristics to reduce heat transfer from portions of the blank adjacent the trim line. The first die element may include a cavity aligned with a pierce region of the blank so that the pierce region does not contact an adjacent die element surface.

Abstract: A die apparatus including a first die element, a plurality of second die elements, a plurality of actuators, and a controller is provided. Each of the plurality of actuators is mounted to one of the plurality of second die elements. The controller is programmed to activate the actuators to contact and compress portions of a blank disposed between the die elements at separate pressures to influence microstructure forming for one of a geometry transition region, a deformation region, and a joining region. One of the separate pressures applied to one of the portions of the blank may be approximately 5 N/mm2 or less to form a soft strength zone. The pressure of approximately 5 N/mm2 or less may be applied to the one of the portions of the blank for approximately one to two seconds.

Abstract: A hot stamping system includes a controller programmed to alter a coolant flow rate, without altering cycle time, in an active cooling system of a die arrangement, configured to hot stamp metal into components, based on an amount of heat transferred from the components to the active cooling system such that a grain structure of the components transitions from an austenitic state to a martensitic state while the die arrangement is closed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tool (1) and a method for producing a tool (1) for the machining of metal sheets, in particular, for the trimming or forming thereof by means of deep drawing. The method comprises the provision of a metallic basic body (2), onto which a welding material (9) is welded at least in regions. According to the invention, the welding material (9) is composed of an alloy in % by mass of: carbon (C) 1.5-1.8% vanadium (V) 7.5-9.0% chromium (Cr) 4.5-6.0% molybdenum (Mo) 1.0-2.5% nickel (Ni) lower than (<)0.5% manganese (Mn) lower than (<)1.0% silicon (Si) lower than (<)1.0% as well as a remainder of iron (Fe) and melt-induced impurities.

Abstract: A method and a deep-drawing apparatus for the deep drawing of a metal sheet by means of a press, a table, a drawing punch, and also a drawing die and a counterpressure plate interacting with the drawing die, which together form a flow path for the metal sheet, wherein at least one drawing strip movable relative to the counterpressure plate is pushed transversely through the flow path of the metal sheet in order to deflect the metal sheet during a drawing phase (first deflection phase) and the drawing strip, for a stop phase, is pushed by a further short distance transversely through the flow path (F) (second deflection stage), wherein a deflection increased once again inhibits the flow of the metal sheet during the second deflection stage, and wherein the metal sheet is essentially plastically formed at the end of the deep-drawing operation, wherein the degree of deflection required during the first deflection stage is set by means of an interchangeable distance piece which is arranged between the counterpres

Abstract: A method and a deep-drawing apparatus for the deep drawing of metal sheet (8) by means of a press (6), a table (2), a drawing punch (3), and also a drawing die (5) and a counterpressure plate (4) interacting with the drawing die (5), which together form a flow path (F) for the metal sheet (8), wherein at least one drawing strip (7) movable relative to the counterpressure plate (4) is pushed transversely through the flow path (F) of the metal sheet (8) in order to deflect the metal sheet (8) during a drawing phase (first deflection phase) and the drawing strip (7), for a stop phase, is pushed by a further short distance transversely through the flow path (F) (second deflection stage), wherein a deflection increased once again inhibits the flow of the metal sheet (8) during the second deflection stage, and wherein the metal sheet (8) is essentially plastically formed at the end of the deep-drawing operation, wherein the degree of deflection required during the first deflection state is set by means of an interc

Abstract: The invention relates to a pivot bearing for a vehicle having a base body for connecting wheel guiding elements to a wheel. The base body is composed of a planar piece of sheet metal to which a flange plate is assigned. The flange plate is connected to the base body in a frictionally locking fashion.