Abstract: A vehicle body may include a crossmember and a longitudinal member. The vehicle body helps ensure improved load absorption in collision events with small overlap between the crossmember and another vehicle or object. The deformation capabilities of the vehicle body in collision events involving a full surface area of the crossmember are not substantially impaired. Form-fitting members that comprise connection partners may be provided for the longitudinal member, wherein the form-fitting members ensure that a load path of collision energy is introduced into the longitudinal member selectively in the event of a collision with small overlap. A form-fitting member may form a form-fitting connection in a direction of the longitudinal member in the event of a collision.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns devices and methods for resistance welding sandwich sheets to other components. Many sandwich sheets include a thermoplastic material layer disposed between two metallic cover layers. The sandwich sheet and the other component may be secured relative to one another by a clamping arrangement. A region of the sandwich sheet to be welded may be heated by a preheating current to soften and displace the thermoplastic material layer when the cover layers are pressed together. With respect to the preheating current, a first electrode arrangement may at least temporarily contact an electrically conductive contacting region of the clamping arrangement such that the preheating current can flow via the clamping arrangement. The cover layers may be welded to the other component with a welding current via the first welding electrode of the first electrode arrangement and a second welding electrode of a second electrode arrangement.

Abstract: An apparatus for hot dip coating metal strip is disclosed having a dip bath vessel (4), a snout (6) which opens into the dip bath vessel for introducing a metal strip (1) which is heated in a continuous furnace into the dip bath, and a deflecting roller (7) which is arranged in the dip bath vessel for deflecting the metal strip (1) which enters into the dip bath in a direction which points out of the dip bath. The snout (6) is provided with a shaft-shaped snout extension piece (6.1) for increasing the snout dipping depth, the internal width of the snout extension piece (6.1) tapering toward its outlet opening (6.15) at least over a part length of said snout extension piece (6.1). As a result, an increase or maximization of the eddy flow in the molten metal at or close to the metal strip (1) and therefore improved homogenization of the molten metal in the region of the strip is achieved, as a result of which slag-induced surface defects on the surface of the coated metal strip (1) can be avoided.

Abstract: A reflector for helio-thermal systems may include a metallic carrier plate and a reflective coating that is applied to the carrier plate and is constructed from at least one metallic reflective layer and at least one protective layer applied to the reflective layer. Such reflectors have high reflective capabilities, are robust in relation to mechanical stress, and can be manufactured cost effectively. Such reflectors are also lightweight and dimensionally stable due to the fact that the carrier plate may be formed from a sandwich plate having at least one nonmetallic intermediate layer disposed between an upper and lower metallic cover plate. The upper cover plate may have a smoothed surface to which the reflective layer can be applied. The smoothed surface prior to the reflective layer being applied may have an arithmetic mean surface parameter Ra of less than 0.03 ?m. Methods for manufacturing such reflectors are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bumper for a motor vehicle, in particular a front bumper, having at least two deformation bodies which are at a distance from one another and of which the center or longitudinal axes, in the mounted state, are oriented substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the motor vehicle, and having a plurality of crossmembers which have a closed profile and which are arranged one above the other and are connected to the deformation bodies. The crossmembers are formed from a group of at least three crossmembers, wherein the respective crossmember of the group has a cross-sectional profile which comprises at least five corners.

Abstract: A transition body may be disposed between upper and lower tower sections of a tower for a wind power station. Some example transition bodies may include a substantially annular upper connection flange for connection to the upper tower section, and at least three substantially annular lower connection flanges, each of which may connect to a corner leg of the lower tower section. The transition body may have several segments disposed about a central tower axis, with the number of segments corresponding to the number of corner legs. Upper peripheral sections of the segments may form an annular circumferential connection envelope that supports the upper connection flange. Lower sections of the segments may form annular circumferential segment envelopes that support the lower connection flanges. The segments may be disposed at acute angles and converge into one another at or near the upper connection flange.

Abstract: Certain methods enable the production of steel components with well-adhering metallic coatings that protect against corrosion. In some examples, a flat steel product produced from a steel material having a yield point of 150-1100 MPa and a tensile strength of 300-1200 MPa may be coated with an anticorrosion coating of an alloy that comprises 35-70% by weight aluminum, 35-60% by weight zinc, 0.1-10% by weight magnesium, up to 10% by weight Si, and up to 5% by weight Fe. A blank obtained from the flat steel product may then be heated to at least 800° C. and formed into a steel component. Alternatively, the steel component may be formed into the steel component first and then heated to at least 800° C. Regardless, the steel component may then be hardened by sufficiently rapid cooling the steel component from a sufficiently high temperature.

Abstract: Methods for producing steel components with well-adhering metallic coatings that provide protection from corrosion offer flexibility in processing qualities. In one example, a flat steel product comprising a steel material that is hardenable by quenching in a hot forming operation and that has a yield point of 150-1100 MPa and a tensile strength of 300-1200 MPa may be coated electrolytically with a thin zinc layer. From the flat steel product, a blank may then be obtained that is heated directly to at least 800° C. and then formed into the steel component. Alternatively, the blank may initially be formed into the steel component and then heated to at least 800° C. Either way, the steel component may then be hardened by sufficiently rapid cooling from a sufficiently high temperature.

Abstract: Methods for producing connecting or junction elements, which in some cases may be utilized in steel structures of towers for wind turbines, may involve using a flow forming process to produce which a flange and a casing integrally adjoining the flange from a blank. Further, an end of the casing opposite the flange may be adapted to a contour of a component to which the casing is intended to be connected. In some examples, the casing may be formed with a second flange. Likewise, in some examples, at least a portion of the casing may have a conical design.

Abstract: Semi-finished products in the form of sheet bars or strips can undergo deep drawing and can produce three-dimensionally shaped hybrid components of metal/plastic composites. One example semi-finished product may comprise at least one metal sheet in the form of a sheet bar or a strip and at least one layer of thermoplastic applied in a material-bonding manner on the metal sheet. A side of the metal sheet on which the layer of plastic is applied may have a surface treated to improve the adherence of the layer of plastic. The layer of plastic of the semi-finished product may be formed as a coupling layer for material-bonding, adhesive-free attachment of at least one structural body produced from plastic. According to one example method, a plastic structural body may be molded in a material-bonding manner onto the layer of plastic formed as the coupling layer by injection molding or press-forming.

Abstract: The present disclosure proposes a tool for shear cutting, wherein the tool has a lower blade, a hold-down device and an upper blade, wherein the lower blade has a pressure-loaded surface and a cutting surface, wherein it is possible for a workpiece to be arranged between the hold-down device and the contact surface, wherein the upper blade is movable in relation to the lower blade along a cutting direction predetermined by the cutting surface, wherein a contour profile of the lower blade has a jagged elevation at the transition from the cutting surface to the pressure-loaded surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods that check inspection systems for proper detection of surface defects without impairing production processes are needed. In many cases, the disclosed systems and methods concern detection of surface defects in flat steel products. One example method involves generating a photograph of a surface of a product with a camera, transmitting the photograph in digital form to an image processing device, integrating a digitized representation of a surface defect into the digitized photograph, performing fault detection in the image processing device based on the photograph and the digitized representation of the surface defect, and determining whether the image processing device properly detected the digitized representation of the surface defect as a fault of the surface of the product.

Abstract: Joining regions in sandwich sheets having a plastic core layer disposed between two metal cover layers are desirable for purposes of joining sandwich sheets to other components by, for instance, fasteners and/or welded joints. Methods and apparatuses for producing such joining regions in sandwich sheets allow for durably form-fitting and/or force-fitting joints between the sandwich sheets and other components. Some methods may involve displacing plastic material of the core layer of the sandwich sheet out of the region to be joined. A predetermined force may be exerted perpendicular to a surface of the region to be joined when the core layer of the sandwich sheet is heated so that the plastic material of the core layer is softened and at least partially displaced. In turn, the metal cover layers of the sandwich sheet may be brought into contact with one another in the region to be joined.

Abstract: Non-grain-oriented electrical steel strips or electrical steel sheets for electrotechnical applications may be produced from a steel that, in addition to iron and unavoidable impurities, contains the following in percent by weight: 2.0-4.5% Si, 0.03-0.3% Zr, up to 2.0% Al, up to 1.0% Mn, up to 0.01% C, up to 0.01% N, up to 0.001% S, up to 0.015% P. Moreover, in some examples, a microstructure of the electrical steel strip or sheet may contain ternary Fe—Si—Zr precipitates. The ternary Fe—Si—Zr precipitates in the microstructure increase the strength of non-grain-oriented electrical steel strips or sheets produced from steel by precipitation or particle hardening without having a significant influence on electromagnetic properties. In addition, example methods for producing such electrical steel strips and electrical steel sheets are disclosed.

Abstract: One example method for producing a component from organic sheets may comprise placing a first organic sheet and a second organic sheet next to one another to form a component preform, forming at least one overlapping joining zone by tacking the first and second organic sheets together with a connecting part in the form of a third organic sheet, transferring the component preform to a joining tool, using the joining tool to form a joined component by connecting the organic sheets through melting and compression in the overlapping joining zone, and consolidating the joined component at least in the zone of the overlapping joining zone.

Abstract: A complexly formed steel component may have a tensile strength Rm of greater than 1200 MPa and an elongation at break A50 of greater than 6%. Example methods for producing such components comprise providing a flat steel product, which in addition to iron and unavoidable impurities, contains in percent by weight 0.10-0.60% C, 0.4-2.5% Si, up to 3.0% Al, 0.4-3.0% Mn, up to 1% Ni, up to 2.0% Cu, up to 0.4% Mo, up to 2% Cr, up to 1.5% Co, up to 0.2% Ti, up to 0.2% Nb, and up to 0.5% V. At least 10% by volume of a microstructure of the flat steel product may consist of residual austenite comprising globular residual austenite islands with a grain size of at least 1 ?m. Before being cooled, the flat steel product may be heated to a forming temperature of 150-400° C. and formed into a component with a degree of forming that is at most equal to uniform elongation Ag.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for machining a workpiece by means of a laser beam, in particular a part of a motor vehicle, wherein a laser beam is applied to the workpiece by means of a scanner, material of the workpiece is ablated, the radiation produced by the plasma during the process in the work area and/or reflected laser radiation is detected, and a signal is generated depending on the detected plasma and/or laser radiation. In addition the invention also relates to an apparatus for the laser beam machining of a workpiece, in particular for carrying out a method according to the invention. A greater process reliability can be ensured in laser beam machining in that the position of the laser beam in relation to the workpiece and/or the ablation depth is regulated and/or controlled depending on the signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for heat treatment of coated semi-finished steel products may comprise a heatable continuous furnace having a conveyer for moving the coated semi-finished steel products. The conveyer may be comprised of a plurality of conveyer elements, such as rollers, for example, for supporting the coated semi-finished steel products. To prevent, or at least substantially prevent, interaction between semi-finished steel products having different coatings, a decoupling portion of the continuous furnace may include a first conveyer element group and a second conveyer element group, each having at least one conveyer element. The coated semi-finished steel products may be supported in the decoupling portion either by the conveyer elements of the first conveyer element group or by the conveyer elements of the second conveyer element group.

Abstract: A tool for machining a workpiece may comprise multiple parts that have different temperatures when the tool is being operated. To reduce or, in some cases, eliminate thermal radiation between the multiple parts, the tool may incorporate one or more devices that manipulate the thermal radiation. Such devices may be disposed along one or more of the multiple parts and, in some examples, between two or more parts of the tool. These devices may also help reduce and, at times, eliminate thermal radiation between the tool parts and the surrounding environment.

Abstract: Devices and methods for producing sandwich composite materials having at least one layer of plastic disposed between at least two outer metallic covering layers may comprise providing at least two semifinished products coated with plastic on one side, activating at least one of the plastic-coated sides of the metallic covering layers directly from the side of the covering layer having the plastic-coating, and connecting the plastic-coated sides of the metallic covering layers to form the sandwich composite material. The activation of the plastic may be performed by way of a heat source that utilizes an activation medium, radiation, or plasma, for example.