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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a front hinge pillar (9) of a vehicle, consisting of a stamped part comprising a central body (11) that is intended to extend vertically, so as to exhibit a lower end (13) and an upper end (15) and lateral edges, the front hinge pillar (9) being characterized in that it further comprises a front extension (17) extending from one of said lateral edges of said central body (11) such that said central body (11) and said front extension (17) form a single part. The invention also relates to the methods for producing such a front hinge pillar (9).

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.

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 method for manufacturing structural steel components with local reinforcement is provided. The method comprises selecting at least a zone of the component to be reinforced, providing a steel blank and deforming the blank in a press tool to form a product, wherein the blank and/or the product comprises a groove in the zone to be reinforced, the groove comprising an inner surface and an outer surface. The method further comprises depositing a reinforcement material on the inner surface of groove and locally heating the reinforcement material and the groove of the steel blank or product, to mix the melted reinforcement material with the melted portion of the steel blank or product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a subframe (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising at least three beams, of which, in the assembled state of the subframe, at least two beams (3, 4) extend at a distance from one another, substantially along the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle and at least one beam (6, 7) extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle, at least one of the beams being an extruded beam (3, 4), and at least one cast node (11) of aluminium, magnesium or an alloy based on aluminium and/or magnesium, the cast node (11) connecting the extruded beam (4) and at least one of the other beams (6) to another, wherein the cast node (11) has an arm-shaped beam connecting element (11.4), wherein the extruded beam (4) overlaps the beam connecting element (11.4), and wherein the extruded beam (4) is connected to the beam connecting element (11.4) by a weld seam (14).

Abstract: A method for a hot press forming apparatus and a hot press forming apparatus (102; 202) for forming a blank (104), the hot press forming apparatus (102; 202) comprising a first die (106; 206) and a second die (108), wherein the first die (106; 206) has at least one die cavity (110; 210), and the second die (108) has at least one die protrusion (112), wherein the hot press forming apparatus (102; 202) is configured to, by means of the first and second dies (106, 108; 206, 108), press form the blank (104) placed between the first and second dies (106, 108; 206, 108). At least one of the first and second dies (106, 108; 206, 108) has a draw radius (116; 216), wherein a member (118; 218) is attached to a die (106; 206) which has a draw radius (116; 216). At least a portion (119; 219) of the member (118; 218) is positioned adjacent to or on the draw radius (116; 216).

Abstract: A cold working apparatus (102; 202) for forming a blank (104), the cold working apparatus (102; 202) comprising a first die (106; 206) and a second die (108), wherein the first die (106; 206) has at least one die cavity (110; 210), and the second die (108) has at least one die protrusion (112), wherein the cold working apparatus (102; 202) is configured to, by means of the first and second dies (106, 108; 206, 108), press form the blank (104) placed between the first and second dies (106, 108; 206, 108). At least one of the first and second dies (106, 108; 206, 108) has a draw radius (116; 216), wherein a member (118; 218) is attached to a die (106; 206) which has a draw radius (116; 216). At least a portion (119; 219) of the member (118; 218) is positioned adjacent to or on the draw radius (116; 216).

Abstract: A conveyor unit for moving products in a conveying direction is disclosed. The unit comprises first beams extending along the conveying direction substantially parallel to each other. The first beams are slidably mounted on rollers and are displaceable in a back-and-forth reciprocating motion along the conveying direction between an upstream position and a downstream position. The unit further comprises second beams extending along the conveying direction and arranged interleaved with the first beams. The second beams are configured to be displaceable in an up-and-down reciprocating motion between a lower vertical position and an upper vertical position along a vertical direction that is defined in a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane of the conveying direction, wherein an upper working surface of the first beams is positioned along the vertical direction, between the lower vertical position and the upper vertical position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a chassis suspension component with a bracket made from a formable base material, preferably sheet steel, and comprising at least one slot for receiving a connecting bolt and at least one stop for an eccentric disc which is or can be connected rotationally fixedly to the connecting bolt. In order to be able to produce the eccentric stop process-reliably and economically without the risk of crack formation, the invention proposes to provide a tab formed from the base material and folded relative to a body portion of the suspension component and having a recess surrounding the slot, which recess defines two elongate stop faces running parallel to each other, wherein the stop faces serve as a stop for the eccentric disc. The invention also relates to a method for producing a chassis suspension component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a single-shell spring control arm formed of sheet metal for a wheel suspension of a motor vehicle, with upwardly directed side limbs connected to one another by a base, with a first end section for connection to a chassis girder, with a second end section for wheel-side connection, with a spring receiving section, which is located between the two end sections and has a spring support surface formed on the base, and with a damper receiving section formed between the spring receiving section and the second end section for connecting a shock absorber. In order to achieve at relatively low component weight and favorable manufacturing costs improved stiffness with respect to high axle loads, the invention provides that a U-shaped constriction is formed between the spring support surface and the damper receiving section, which constriction extends in the base and in the side limbs.

Abstract: The invention relates to an auxiliary frame for a vehicle, in particular an electric vehicle, with a longitudinal member composed of metal sheets, which has bearing connection points for a transverse control arm connection, the bearing connection points being formed in a bearing section of the longitudinal member which is open towards the wheel carrier side, wherein the bearing section is formed from a first single-shell metal sheet and a second single-shell metal sheet, wherein the second single-shell metal sheet is connected to the first single-shell metal sheet by a weld seam, wherein the first single-shell metal sheet has at least one of the bearing connection points, and wherein the second single-shell metal sheet has at least one of the bearing connection points.

Abstract: Centering systems for centering blanks outputted from a furnace in a hot stamping line are provided, the centering system comprising a centering table and a heating system for heating one or more selected zones of the blank while arranged on the centering table. Also provided are methods for manufacturing steel components having hard zones and soft zones, wherein the soft zones are of less mechanical strength than the hard zones. The methods comprise heating a steel blank in a furnace, centering the heated blank on a centering table arranged downstream from the furnace, heating one or more selected zones of the heated blank while the blank is on the centering table, wherein the selected zones are the zones of the blank which are destined to form the hard zones; transferring the blank to a press tool to hot forming the blank, and quenching the selected zones of the blank destined to form the hard zones.

Abstract: A centering system comprising a conveyor for receiving a plurality of blanks outputted from a furnace and displacing the blanks along a first horizontal axis and shifting units for each individual blank including two or more adjustable lifting bars, the shifting units configured to move along a second horizontal axis, and the adjustable lifting bars being configured to lift the blanks along a vertical axis, wherein each of the shifting units is independently movable along the second axis, and a plurality of centering pins for centering the blanks, such that the blanks can be centered by moving the individual blanks along the second axis against the centering pins. Also disclosed are conveyor systems and methods for centering and conveying blanks.

Abstract: A battery box floor for electric vehicles for being arranged at the lower part of a vehicle body is disclosed. The battery box floor comprises a battery pack supporting panel for supporting a plurality of battery cells, a plurality of lower cooling channels for containing a cooling fluid, a plurality of lower cooling channels being arranged adjacent to and below the battery pack supporting panel such that they can cool the battery cells and an underbody protection arranged below the lower cooling channels. The battery box floor further comprises a deformation inner cavity between said plurality of lower cooling channels and said underbody protection. Additionally, the battery box floor is integrally formed from a metallic material. Also a vehicle body comprising the battery box floor is disclosed.