Abstract: A lightweight battery housing for an automobile and method of assembling same. The lightweight battery housing comprises an upper cover, a tub, and a protection frame whereon the upper cover and lower tub sit. The upper cover and tub may comprise at least one of a steel material, an aluminum material, and/or a fiber-reinforced composite. The protection frame comprises at least one of steel material and aluminum material. The tub includes pockets for holding battery modules and seals against the cover to provide a leak-resistant battery holder. Fasteners connect the tub, cover, and protection frame and a seal is placed between the tub and the cover. The cover and other components of the battery housing may be integrated directly into a body-in-white of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for producing components by hot forming includes a conductive post-furnace heat station, a furnace, a computer system, and a press. The computer system comprises one or more physical processors operatively connected with the furnace in and the conductive post-furnace heat station. The one or more physical processors being programmed with computer program instructions which, when executed cause the computer system to control the furnace to heat the blank to a temperature that is below AC3 temperature; and control the conductive post-furnace heat station to heat a portion of the heated blank to a temperature above the AC3 temperature by thermal conduction. The press is constructed and arranged to receive the post-heated blank from the post-furnace heat station and to form the post-heated blank into the shape of the component.

Abstract: A system for producing components by hot forming includes a pre-heat station, a furnace, and a press. The pre-heat station is configured to receive a blank; and to pre-heat at least a portion of the blank to a pre-heat temperature by thermal conduction. The furnace is constructed and arranged to receive the pre-heated blank from the pre-heat station and to heat the entire blank to a deformation temperature. The deformation temperature is higher than the pre-heat temperature. The press is constructed and arranged to receive the heated blank from the furnace and to form the heated blank into the shape of the component.