Abstract: A self-piercing riveting (SPR) system includes a top sheet and a bottom sheet. The top sheet is layered above the bottom sheet and are disposed between a die and a blank holder. The SPR system further includes a barrier disposed between the bottom sheet and the die, wherein the barrier is configured to reduce stress concentrations during formation of a joint between the top sheet and the bottom sheet. The barrier may has a thickness between 0.8 mm and 1.0 mm and is made from a cold formed or a dual phase steel alloy.

Abstract: A self-piercing riveting (SPR) system includes a top sheet and a bottom sheet. The top sheet is layered above the bottom sheet and are disposed between a die and a blank holder. The SPR system further includes a barrier disposed between the bottom sheet and the die, wherein the barrier is configured to reduce stress concentrations during formation of a joint between the top sheet and the bottom sheet. The barrier may has a thickness between 0.8 mm and 1.0 mm and is made from a cold formed or a dual phase steel alloy.

Abstract: A console for a vehicle includes a first bracket and a second bracket disposed opposite the first bracket in a mirroring configuration relative to the first bracket. Each of the first bracket and the second bracket includes a body, an upper arm extending from an upper front portion of the body and configured to couple to a vehicle frame, a lower arm extending from a lower front portion of the body and configured to couple to a vehicle frame, and a first end and a second end, wherein the first end includes a first leg configured to couple to a floor of the vehicle and the second end includes a second leg configured to couple to the floor of the vehicle. The first bracket and the second bracket are mutually coupled in at least one region.

Abstract: A method of coating magnesium includes applying a surface finish to a magnesium substrate to obtain a surface-finished magnesium substrate having a visual profile. The method includes pretreating the surface-finished magnesium substrate to obtain a pretreated magnesium substrate. The method includes depositing a clear powder coat onto the pretreated magnesium substrate to obtain a powder-coated magnesium substrate. The powder-coated magnesium substrate retains the visual profile of the surface-finished magnesium substrate or as-cast magnesium.

Abstract: A magnesium alloy can include magnesium, about 3.4 wt % to about 5.5 wt % aluminum, about 0.40 wt % to about 1.5 wt % zinc, and about 0.26 wt % to about 0.36 wt % manganese. The magnesium alloy may exhibit an ultimate tensile strength from about 210 MPa to about 260 MPa, a yield strength from about 100 MPa to about 135 MPa, and an elongation from about 8% to about 15%. The magnesium alloy may exhibit a bend angle from about 46° to about 54°.

Abstract: A machine for bending a casted or stamped component into compliance with dimension and tolerance requirements, includes a base and at least one fixed holding device coupled to the base and configured to hold a corresponding datum of the component. The machine further includes at least one bending device coupled to the base and configured to engage a corresponding bending datum of the component, and a control system configured to control the at least one fixed holding device and the at least one bending device during a manipulation routine. The at least one fixed holding device is configured to hold the component in a predetermined spatial orientation relative to the base. The at least one bending device is configured to plastically deform the component.

Abstract: An interference fit joining method includes providing a tolerance adjuster and a die casting boss formed in a magnesium-based die casting. The method also includes positioning the tolerance adjuster over a cavity of the die casting boss. The method also includes pressing the tolerance adjuster at least partially into the cavity to form a joint assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tolerance compensator for joining materials that are spaced apart from one another. The tolerance compensator includes a base, a compensation member, a first flange portion, a first tree fastener, a second flange portion, and a second tree fastener. The compensation member is slidably engaged with the base and disposed at least partially within a cavity defined by the base. The first flange portion and the second flange portion are coupled to the base and extend radially outwardly from the base. The first tree fastener extends away from the first flange portion. The second tree fastener extends away from the second flange portion. Each of the first tree fastener and the second tree fastener include a body and a plurality of ribs extending outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A self-piercing riveting (SPR) system includes a top sheet and a bottom sheet. The top sheet is layered above the bottom sheet and are disposed between a die and a blank holder. The SPR system further includes a barrier disposed between the bottom sheet and the die, wherein the barrier is configured to reduce stress concentrations during formation of a joint between the top sheet and the bottom sheet. The barrier may has a thickness between 0.8 mm and 1.0 mm and is made from a cold formed or a dual phase steel alloy.

Abstract: A self-piercing riveting (SPR) die includes a die body including an outer surface, a lower surface that is parallel to and offset from the outer surface, and a side surface that circumscribes the lower surface. A distance between the lower surface and the outer surface is less than or equal to approximately 1.2 mm. An angle between the side surface and the lower surface is within a range between approximately 45 and 90 degrees. An inner diameter of the outer surface is within a range between approximately 9 and 13 mm.

Abstract: A cross-car beam structure for a vehicle comprises a cross-car beam and a first pencil brace. The cross-car beam comprises a first attachment point, and the first pencil brace comprises a first end and a second end. The first end of the first pencil brace is configured to removably attach to the cross-car beam at the first attachment point. The second end of the first pencil brace is configured to attach to either a second pencil brace or to another automotive component within the vehicle.

Abstract: A self-piercing rivet (SPR) joint includes a top layer including at least one steel material or at least one aluminum material, a middle layer including at least one magnesium material, and a bottom artificial aluminum layer including at least one aluminum material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a tolerance compensator for joining materials that are spaced apart from one another. The tolerance compensator includes a base, a compensation member, a first flange portion, a first tree fastener, a second flange portion, and a second tree fastener. The compensation member is slidably engaged with the base and disposed at least partially within a cavity defined by the base. The first flange portion and the second flange portion are coupled to the base and extend radially outwardly from the base. The first tree fastener extends away from the first flange portion. The second tree fastener extends away from the second flange portion. Each of the first tree fastener and the second tree fastener include a body and a plurality of ribs extending outwardly therefrom.

Abstract: A rail for supporting a glove box assembly and airbag canister includes a substantially planar body having an upper and lower surface, the upper surface defining a plurality of ribs. The rail further includes a wall projecting from at least a portion of an outer periphery of the lower surface, a first plurality of connection points configured to couple an airbag canister to the rail, and a second plurality of connection points configured to couple a glove box assembly to the rail. The rail further includes a first appendage extending from a first end of the body and a second appendage extending from a second end of the body, the first and second appendages configured to couple the rail to a dashboard assembly. The rail is integrally formed as a single component.