Abstract: A bumper structure for a motor vehicle includes a cross member, and a crash box placed between the cross member and a longitudinal member, with the crash box having an attachment zone. Bolts extend through walls of the attachment zone and the longitudinal member for securing the crash box to the longitudinal member by forcing the attachment zone against the wall of the longitudinal member. The attachment zone undergoes hereby locally an elastic or plastic deformation for realizing a self-centered disposition of the crash box in relation to the longitudinal member. The walls of the attachment zone and the longitudinal member extend at a tolerance distance before the crash box is secured to the longitudinal member.

Abstract: A hardened steel part of complex shape is made from a workpiece by first heating the workpiece to an annealing temperature. Then, while the workpiece is still at the annealing temperature, the workpiece is rapidly deformed by a machine into an intermediate shape. The deformed workpiece is then moved from the machine to a press, and, while the workpiece is still at the annealing temperature, it is deformed in the press to the complex shape and then held in the press to harden the workpiece.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a hardened sheet metal section from a flat blank, wherein the flat blank is provided with collared holes that are collared and with two groove-like indentations which serve to support the sheet metal blank on a conveyor during heating treatment in an oven; subsequently, the blank is formed in a press tool into a sheet metal section by warm forming and where, if required, the formed indentations can be flattened; and thereafter the section is hardened while remaining clamped within the tool.

Abstract: A bumper assembly has a cross beam formed with an outer vertical web and two horizontal sides extending inward from upper and lower edges of the web, and two vehicle frame members having support ends spaced inward from and vertically offset from a center of the cross-beam web. Respective crash boxes each formed as a horizontally extending tube have an outer end engaging the bumper cross beam and an inner end fixed to the frame members. The outer ends of the crash boxes are vertically offset from the respective inner ends. The inner ends of the crash boxes bear outward generally only on the web and on one of the sides of the cross beam. The other of the sides of the cross beam is generally out of engagement with the crash boxes.

Abstract: A hardened steel part of complex shape is made from a workpiece by first heating the workpiece to an annealing temperature. Then, while the workpiece is still at the annealing temperature, the workpiece is rapidly deformed by a machine into an intermediate shape. The deformed workpiece is then moved from the machine to a press, and, while the workpiece is still at the annealing temperature, it is deformed in the press to the complex shape and then held in the press to harden the workpiece.

Abstract: Elongated structural components having regions of different thicknesses, especially for use in automobile bodies, are produced by flexible rolling metal strip so as to form along a length thereof rolled-strip segments of different wall thickness. The sheet bars are cut from the rolled strip and have regions of different wall thickness. Each sheet bar is reshaped in at least one hot-forming tool in at least one hot-forming state and the reshaped sheet bar is then rapidly cooled in the hot-forming tool of the last reshaping stage.

Abstract: A bumper for a motor vehicle; includes a cross member having an U-shaped cross section and intended for attachment to longitudinal members of a vehicle chassis. The cross member includes a web and two legs connected to the web. Received in the cross member is an impact absorber which has a cross member proximal end joined to the web and to confronting ends of the legs.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing a hollow body from two plates. The device includes an internal high pressure forming tool having an interior surface defining a mold chamber corresponding to a shape of the hollow body. The forming tool being arranged to receive two plates resting against each other. An expansion lance is insertable between the plates via an axial drive, and the expansion lance and the axial drive forming a pushing plunger. The expansion lance has a pinching section along a circumferential contour, and the plates to be pinched are arranged between the pinching section and the forming tool. The expansion lance includes a feed bore communicable with a high pressure fluid source. The expansion lance defines an axial stop to abut axial edges of the plates. The axial stop has a radial periphery which is smaller than that of the mold chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a hardened sheet metal section from a flat blank, wherein the flat blank is provided with collared holes that are collared and with two groove-like indentations which serve to support the sheet metal blank on a conveyor during heating treatment in an oven; subsequently, the blank is formed in a press tool into a sheet metal section by warm forming and where, if required, the formed indentations can be flattened; and thereafter the section is hardened while remaining clamped within the tool.

Abstract: A bumper for a motor vehicle; includes a cross member having an U-shaped cross section and intended for attachment to longitudinal members of a vehicle chassis. The cross member includes a web and two legs connected to the web. Received in the cross member is an impact absorber which has a cross member proximal end joined to the web and to confronting ends of the legs.

Abstract: A method and a device for manufacturing a hollow body from two plates, which are placed against one another and inserted into an internal high pressure forming tool. After the forming tool is closed, a fluid is introduced under high pressure between the plates by way of an expansion lance inserted between the plates. The plates are expanded until they abut the interior surfaces of the forming tool that match the shape of the hollow body. To achieve a process-reliable manufacture of the hollow body, the plates, before any internal high pressure is developed, are pinched in the thickness direction along the circumference of the opening that surrounds the inserted expansion lance by cooperation between the dies of the forming tool and the circumferential contour of the expansion lance that is oversize relative to the location between the plates at which the expansion lance is introduced.

Abstract: A method and a device for manufacturing a hollow body from two plates, which are placed against one another and inserted into an internal high pressure forming tool. After the forming tool is closed, a fluid is introduced under high pressure between the plates by way of an expansion lance inserted between the plates. The plates are expanded until they abut the interior surfaces of the forming tool that match the shape of the hollow body. To achieve a process-reliable manufacture of the hollow body, the plates, before any internal high pressure is developed, are pinched in the thickness direction along the circumference of the opening that surrounds the inserted expansion lance by cooperation between the dies of the forming tool and the circumferential contour of the expansion lance that is oversize relative to the location between the plates at which the expansion lance is introduced.