Abstract: A forming sheet metal part (1) for a vehicle frame includes: a first portion (2) being locally heat-softened after the sheet metal part (1) has been formed out. The part (1) further includes a dedicated three-dimensional distortion-absorbing area (4), defining an internal boundary (6) within which the first portion (2) is to be locally heat-softened after the sheet metal part (1) has been formed out. The distortion-absorbing area (4) is dimensioned such that once said locally heat-softening step has been performed, the internal boundary (6) is adjacent to the first portion (2) and encloses the first portion (2) to absorb the dimensional distortions induced by the locally heat-softened first portion. The invention further relates to a method for producing a forming sheet metal part (1).

Abstract: A vehicle structure comprising a portion extending in a longitudinal direction, wherein the portion comprises a first member extending in the longitudinal direction and a second member extending in the longitudinal direction. The first member is con-figured to face an inside of a vehicle, and the second member is configured to face an outside of the vehicle. The first and second members are attached to one another to form a substantially closed space between them. The portion comprises a wave-shaped reinforcement member located in a substantially closed space. The substantially closed space is formed when the first and second members are attached to one another.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a steel component from a blank is provided. Firstly, a blank is placed in a conveyor system. Then, at least a preselected zone of the blank is preheated while the blank is retained at a predetermined preheating location. Finally, the blank is conveyed through a furnace. A preheating system for heating blanks in a production line is also provided.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a unitary body side structural frame for a vehicle is provided. The method comprises providing a plurality of blanks, joining the blanks to each other to form a composite blank wherein joining the blanks includes forming one or more overlapping regions formed by partially overlapping two blanks and deforming the composite blank to form the unitary body side structural frame. A unitary body side structural frame as obtained by any of the methods herein described is also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle side structure (102; 202) comprising a side portion (104; 204) extending in a longitudinal direction (106; 206), wherein the side portion (104; 204) comprises a first member (108; 208) extending in the longitudinal direction (106; 206) and a second member (110; 210) extending in the longitudinal direction (106; 206). The first member (108; 208) is configured to face an inside (112; 212) of a vehicle, and the second member (110; 210) is configured to face an outside (114; 214) of the vehicle. The first and second members (108, 110; 208; 210) are attached to one another to form a substantially closed space (116; 216) between them. The side portion (104; 204) comprises two wave-shaped reinforcement members (118, 120; 218, 220) located in the substantially closed space (116; 216). The reinforcement members (118, 120; 218, 220) are attached to one another.

Abstract: A bumper beam of a sheet metal formed to a closed hollow structure comprising a first side wall and a second side wall. The sheet metal comprises a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side. The sheet metal is formed such that the first longitudinal side is formed to a horizontal member located inside the closed hollow structure and such that the second side wall forms a recess into which the first longitudinal side extends. The first longitudinal side and the recess are configured to form a locking of the horizontal member when the bumper beam is deformed due to an impact. In the recess the first longitudinal side is unwelded to the second side wall while the second longitudinal side is welded to the closed hollow structure.

Abstract: A system configured for deformation compensation in real time during a heat treatment performed on a component. The system comprises a supporting structure; two or more clamping devices arranged with the supporting structure, one or more clamping devices including a clamp, a load cell and a motor; and a processing and control system configured to collect signals from a load cell and to send signals based on the detected loads to a motor to compensate for deformation due to the heat treatment.

Abstract: The present application relates to a reinforcement element (30) arranged to be attached to a profile (10) for forming a B-pillar for a vehicle, which profile (10) is arranged with attachment areas (22, 24) for door hinges, characterised in that the reinforcement element (30) is designed with two elongated strips (32, 34) of material, wherein the strips (32, 34) are inter-connected at least at one attachment area (22) for door hinges when the reinforcement element (30) is attached to profile (10), wherein the profile (10) is hat-shaped with a central flange (12) and two sides (14, 6), and wherein each strip (32, 34) is attached to the transition area (36, 38) between the central flange (12) and a side (14, 16). The present application also 10 relates to a B-pillar provided with the reinforcement element as well as a method of manufacturing a B-pillar with the reinforcement element.

Abstract: Press apparatus and methods for manufacturing hot formed structural components are provided. The apparatus comprise a fixed lower body, and a mobile upper body. The apparatus comprise a cooling tool and a press tool which is arranged downstream from the cooling tool, and a blank transfer mechanism to transfer the blank from the cooling tool to the press tool. The cooling tool has an upper gas cooling tool connected to the mobile upper body and/or a lower gas cooling tool connected to the fixed lower body. The press tool comprises an upper pressing die connected to the upper body and a lower pressing die is connected to the lower body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for joining a first blank and a second blank, wherein at least one of the first and second blanks comprises at least a layer of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. In particular, the method comprises placing the first and second blanks for welding; laser welding the first and second blanks following a welding path thus forming a tailor welded blank, wherein the welding path combines a linear movement along a welding direction and oscillating movements substantially transverse to the welding direction and then hot deforming and quenching the tailor welded blank to form a component, wherein the welding is done without using a filler.

Abstract: A vehicle structure comprising a portion extending in a longitudinal direction, wherein the portion comprises a first member extending in the longitudinal direction and a second member extending in the longitudinal direction. The first member is con-figured to face an inside of a vehicle, and the second member is configured to face an outside of the vehicle. The first and second members are attached to one another to form a substantially closed space between them. The portion comprises a wave-shaped reinforcement member locat-ed in a substantially closed space. The substantially closed space is formed when the first and second members are attached to one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for cooling a metal component, the process comprising the step of cooling said component in a confined space, said cooling involving cooling by means of a gas, the gas being cooled by heat exchange with a cooling surface of a heat sink inside said confined space, wherein a low frequency sound wave is provided into said confined space in order to improve heat exchange both between the gas and a cooling surface of the at least one heat sink, and between the gas and the metal component, characterised in that the cooling gas comprises at least one protective inert gas. The invention further relates to an apparatus for performing the process.

Abstract: Examples of methods of hot forming structural components are provided. The methods include heating a blank made from an Ultra High Strength Steel with an aluminum coating and forming the heated blank in a multi-step apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle bumper beam for attachment to a vehicle body, which bumper beam is extending generally horizontally when attached to a vehicle body, said bumper beam having a generally U-shaped section, providing a central portion and side walls; wherein at least one local area of at least one side wall is provided with reduced tensile strength in comparison to major portions of said bumper beam, and wherein said at least one local area with reduced tensile strength is placed adjacent attachment points for the bumper beam to the vehicle body.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a steel component from a blank is provided. Firstly, a blank is placed in a conveyor system. Then, at least a preselected zone of the blank is preheated while the blank is retained at a predetermined preheating location. Finally, the blank is conveyed through a furnace. A preheating system for heating blanks in a production line is also provided.

Abstract: A vehicle structure comprising a portion extending in a longitudinal direction, wherein the portion comprises a first member extending in the longitudinal direction and a second member extending in the longitudinal direction. The first member is configured to face an inside of a vehicle, and the second member is configured to face an outside of the vehicle. The first and second members are attached to one another to form a closed space between them. The portion comprises a wave-shaped first tubular reinforcement member located in the closed space.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a unitary body side structural frame for a vehicle is provided. The method comprises providing a plurality of blanks, joining the blanks to each other to form a composite blank wherein joining the blanks includes forming one or more overlapping regions formed by partially overlapping two blanks and deforming the composite blank to form the unitary body side structural frame. A unitary body side structural frame as obtained by any of the methods herein described is also provided.

Abstract: Examples of methods of hot forming structural components are provided. The methods include heating a blank made from an Ultra High Strength Steel with an aluminum coating and forming the heated blank in a multi-step apparatus.

Abstract: Rocker structure (R1-R3) for a vehicle comprising a first steel profile (1) and a second steel profile (2) having the longitudinal direction (L) of the vehicle so that a channel (CH) is defined therebetween, the first and second profiles(1, 2) comprising a vertical central section (13), the rocker structure (R1-R3) comprising a first impact absorption element (3) arranged in the channel (CH), wherein the first impact absorption element (3) is a closed steel profile wherein an upper lobe (31) and a lower lobe (32) joined by a central joining section (33) are defined, the upper lobe (31) being located closer to the upper joining flanges (11, 21), the lower lobe (32) closer to the lower joining flanges (21, 22). The invention also relates to a method for obtaining the rocker structure and to vehicles provided with the inventive rocker structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for forming a metal component (20), the process comprising the steps of heating a metal blank (20) coated with a protective layer; cooling said metal blank (20) in a confined space (14), said cooling involving cooling by means of a gas, the gas being cooled by heat exchange with a cooling surface of a heat sink (22) inside said confined space (14), wherein a low frequency sound wave is provided into said confined space (14) in order to improve heat exchange both between the gas and a cooling surface of the at least one heat sink (22), and between the gas and the metal component (20), wherein the heated coated blank is cooled to a temperature below the melting point of the protective layer, and forming the coated blank to a component. The invention also relates to a production line for performing the process.