Abstract: The present invention relates to a bumper beam comprising a U-shaped elongate beam, which elongate beam is provided with attachment points for attachment to a vehicle and further comprises patches arranged on the webs of the beam, preferably in the area of the attachment points, wherein said patches are provided with initiators configured to initiate deformation of the beam upon impact.

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: Method of manufacturing a metal structural component (E) for a vehicle, comprising the steps of a) providing a planar blank (B); b) cutting out the blank (B) to create an opening (A) having a first portion (Q) and wherein the first portion (Q) of the opening A) has a second length (lt) in a first transverse direction (T); c) welding a patch (P) to the blank (B) so as to cover the opening (A), the patch (P) being made of the metal having greater ductility than the material of the blank (B); d) stamping the assembly formed by the blank (B) and the patch (P) to obtain the component (E).

Abstract: Methods and systems for laser cutting of components are disclosed herein. Examples are specifically suited for laser cutting relatively large components of e.g. a vehicle framework such as a unitary side panel of a vehicle door. Multiple robots may perform laser cutting operations substantially simultaneously.

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 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: 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: 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: 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.

Abstract: A profile includes two end wing portions with substantially a transversal direction (Y), two lateral wall portions having substantially a height direction-(Z), a frontal wall portion having substantially a transversal direction (Y), two curved transition zones (R1, R2) disposed between the lateral wall portions and the frontal wall portion, and two curved transition zones (R3, R4) disposed between the end wing portions and the lateral wall portions. A specific portion of each curved transition zones (R1, R2) between the lateral wall portions and the frontal wall portion has a tensile strength lower than the tensile strength of the rest of the cross-section. This configuration also relates to a longitudinal beam, a cross-member, a pillar, a B-Pillar or a C-Pillar having the profile, and to a vehicle provided thereof.