Abstract: In one or more first regions of a steel component, a primarily austenitic microstructure can be produced from which a mainly martensitic microstructure can be brought about through a quenching process. In one or more second regions of the component, a mainly ferritic-pearlitic microstructure can be brought about. In one or more third regions, a mainly bainitic microstructure can be brought about. The component is first heated to a temperature below the AC3 temperature in a first furnace, and transferred into a treatment station. The component can be cooled during the transfer. In the treatment station, the first and third regions are brought to a temperature above the austenitization temperature. Only the third regions are cooled to a cooling stop temperature ?s. The component is transferred into a second furnace, with a temperature lying below the AC3 temperature. There, the temperatures of the three different regions approximate one another.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for heat treating a metal component. The invention relates in particular to an application in the partial hardening of optionally pre-coated components made of high-strength manganese-boron steel. With the method, at least one first sub-region of the component is convectively cooled by means of at least one nozzle, which discharges a fluid stream to the first sub-region so that a temperature difference of at least 100 K is set between the at least one first sub-region and at least one second sub-region of the component, wherein the at least one nozzle is operated with a positive pressure of at least 2 bar.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for heat treating a metal component. The method comprises at least the following steps: a) heating the component; b) setting a temperature difference between at least one first sub-region and at least one second sub-region of the component; c) at least partially forming and/or cooling the component in a press hardening tool; and d) mechanically post-processing the at least one first sub-region of the component.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for impressing a temperature profile onto a sheet steel component, wherein in one or more first areas, a temperature below the AC3 temperature can be impressed on the sheet steel component, and in one or more second areas, a temperature above the AC3 temperature can be impressed on the sheet steel component, and is characterized in that the sheet steel component is firstly preheated in a production furnace, and is then transferred into the thermal re-treatment station, wherein a radiation heat source is moved over the component in the thermal re-treatment station, by means of which the one or more first areas of the sheet steel component can be kept at a temperature below the AC3 temperature or cooled down further, and the one or more second areas can be heated to or kept at a temperature above the AC3 temperature.