Abstract: The invention relates to sheet metal packaging products, in particular tinplate or electrolytically chrome-plated sheet steel (ECCS), consisting of a sheet steel substrate (S) with a thickness in the region of 0.1 mm to 0.6 mm and a coating (B), in particular made of tin and/or chromium or chromium and chromium oxide, that is electrolytically deposited on at least one side of the sheet metal substrate. In addition, at least one surface of the sheet metal packaging product provided with the coating (B) has a surface profile with periodically repeating structure elements in at least one direction, wherein an autocorrelation function resulting from the surface profile has a plurality of side lobes with a height of at least 20%, preferably at least 30% of the height of the main lobe. These sheet metal packaging products have improved and novel surface properties.

Abstract: Methods for using a mold to partially harden semifinished products, which are comprised of hardenable steel and have at least partially an open-profile or closed-profile cross section, may involve a number of steps. For example, such methods may involve heating regions of a semifinished product above an AC1 temperature, positioning the semifinished producing in a mold, positioning an active mold cooling element adjacent to or in contact with the heated regions of the semifinished product, and cooling the regions of the semifinished product at a defined cooling rate so that a hardened microstructure in the cooled regions. These methods and corresponding devices provide low cost solutions that dispense with complete hardening of semifinished products and/or employing welded connections to provide various mechanical properties.

Abstract: A method of producing a component for a vehicle may involve providing a workpiece comprised of a heat-treatable steel material with a zinc-containing coating on both sides, at least partly heating the workpiece to a temperature above Ac1, inserting the at least partly heated workpiece into a hot-forming and/or press-hardening mold comprising at least one punch and at least one die, and closing the mold by relative movement of the punch and/or the die and hot-forming and/or press-hardening the workpiece. At least a region of the heated workpiece may be cooled in the closed mold such that there is at least partial formation of a hardened microstructure. The workpiece may have a first side with a smaller coating thickness of the zinc-containing coating compared to the second side of the workpiece.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing highly dimensionally accurate half-shells from a tailored blank, wherein, in a first die, with optional use of at least one hold-down means, the half-shell is subjected to pre-shaping by deep drawing, wherein the first die has at least one punch, a die base, a die rest surface and a jacket region, and wherein the pre-shaped half-shell is subsequently subjected to final shaping in a second die, in particular in a calibration tool.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and tool for hardening a hollow profile of a steel workpiece having an interior space. The method includes the steps of providing a workpiece having a hollow profile, heating the hollow profile, placing the hollow profile of the steel workpiece in a hardening tool, and cooling the hollow profile from the inside by way of a cooling core having an exterior shape that is complimentary to that of the structural shape of the interior space of the hollow profile.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the decoating at least in part of blanks made of metal which are coated on one or both sides in regions, which have a main extension direction, wherein the regions to be decoated can extend in both a straight or curved manner in the main extension direction. The invention further relates to a device for the decoating at least in part of a coated blank in order to carry out the method according to the invention. A method is provided in which the blank is placed on a blank support of a press and during the closing movement of the press at least one scraping knife preferably completely removes the coating of the blank by scraping substantially perpendicular to the main extension direction of the region of the blank to be decoated.

Abstract: Example methods and devices for producing a shaped component may involve positioning a workpiece having a hollow region and consisting at least partially of steel in a mold of a device. One or more docking punches may secure the workpiece within the mold and serve to introduce a pressurized fluid into the hollow region of the workpiece within the mold. The workpiece may be hot-formed in this process. The present disclosure concerns a variety of methods and devices that may be utilized to counteract a cooling of the workpiece in a region of the docking punch and reduce a temperature difference that may exist between the workpiece and the device.

Abstract: Methods for producing subassemblies comprised of at least two metal components, at least one of which is comprised of a heat-treatable steel, may involve a number of steps. For example, a thermal joining technique may be employed to join the two metal components at one or more connection points to form the subassembly. One or more regions of the subassembly may then be hardened to cause one or more of the connection points to have at least partially a hardened microstructure.

Abstract: Methods for using a mold to partially harden semifinished products, which are comprised of hardenable steel and have at least partially an open-profile or closed-profile cross section, may involve a number of steps. For example, such methods may involve heating regions of a semifinished product above an Ac1 temperature, positioning the semifinished producing in a mold, positioning an active mold cooling element adjacent to or in contact with the heated regions of the semifinished product, and cooling the regions of the semifinished product at a defined cooling rate so that a hardened microstructure in the cooled regions. These methods and corresponding devices provide low cost solutions that dispense with complete hardening of semifinished products and/or employing welded connections to provide various mechanical properties.

Abstract: Example methods and devices for producing a shaped component may involve positioning a workpiece having a hollow region and consisting at least partially of steel in a mold of a device. One or more docking punches may secure the workpiece within the mold and serve to introduce a pressurized fluid into the hollow region of the workpiece within the mold. The workpiece may be hot-formed in this process. The present disclosure concerns a variety of methods and devices that may be utilized to counteract a cooling of the workpiece in a region of the docking punch and reduce a temperature difference that may exist between the workpiece and the device.

Abstract: A process for producing a metal hollow body comprising a first axial portion with a first cross-sectional area and a second axial portion with a second cross-sectional area, and in which the two axial portions are connected to one another by means of a shape transition running in the axial direction, the method includes producing a preform body having at least one transition region which extends in the axial direction and is arranged between the first and second axial portions, wherein, in the transition region, the cross-sectional area of the preform body continuously changes from the cross-sectional area of the first axial portion into the cross-sectional area of the second axial portion, accommodating the preform body in a die, a shaping mandrel into the preform body, and axially moving the shaping mandrel to upset the preform body in the die into the final shape of the hollow body.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and tool for hardening a hollow profile of a steel workpiece having an interior space. The method includes the steps of providing a workpiece having a hollow profile, heating the hollow profile, placing the hollow profile of the steel workpiece in a hardening tool, and cooling the hollow profile from the inside by way of a cooling core having an exterior shape that is complimentary to that of the structural shape of the interior space of the hollow profile.

Abstract: A supporting core for using in a device for forming plates into a structured hollow profile and a method for producing structured hollow profiles from a plate, which on the one hand ensures an all-over support of the plate, and still enables the production of hollow profiles with a variable cross-section or a curved course, is provided by including individual supporting members, which when pushed together at least in part form as a surface an inner contour of the hollow profile to be produced and are interconnected by means of coupling elements, wherein the coupling elements allow the supporting members to be pulled-apart, and wherein the supporting members are interconnected in a hinged manner in the pulled-apart position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the decoating at least in part of blanks made of metal which are coated on one or both sides in regions, which have a main extension direction, wherein the regions to be decoated can extend in both a straight or curved manner in the main extension direction. The invention further relates to a device for the decoating at least in part of a coated blank in order to carry out the method according to the invention. A method is provided in which the blank is placed on a blank support of a press and during the closing movement of the press at least one scraping knife preferably completely removes the coating of the blank by scraping substantially perpendicular to the main extension direction of the region of the blank to be decoated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing hollow profile-members having a longitudinal flange, wherein a plate which is arranged between the stamp and the first die being preshaped by introducing a stamp into a first die to form an U-shaped profile-member having a first member and a second member, and wherein the U-shaped profile-member being shaped with a second die to form an O-shaped profile-member having a longitudinal flange. In one aspect, the plate is preshaped to form the U-shaped profile-member, a longitudinal flange member portion is shaped in at least the first member and the longitudinal flange member portion is constructed during the shaping of the U-shaped profile-member to form an O-shaped profile-member substantially in a shape-retaining manner to form a portion of the longitudinal flange.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing hollow profile-members having a longitudinal flange, wherein a plate which is arranged between the stamp and the first die being preshaped by introducing a stamp into a first die to form an U-shaped profile-member having a first member and a second member, and wherein the U-shaped profile-member being shaped with a second die to form an O-shaped profile-member having a longitudinal flange. In one aspect, the plate is preshaped to form the U-shaped profile-member, a longitudinal flange member portion is shaped in at least the first member and the longitudinal flange member portion is constructed during the shaping of the U-shaped profile-member to form an O-shaped profile-member substantially in a shape-retaining manner to form a portion of the longitudinal flange.

Abstract: A supporting core for using in a device for forming plates into a structured hollow profile and a method for producing structured hollow profiles from a plate, which on the one hand ensures an all-over support of the plate, and still enables the production of hollow profiles with a variable cross-section or a curved course, is provided by including individual supporting members, which when pushed together at least in part form as a surface an inner contour of the hollow profile to be produced and are interconnected by means of coupling elements, wherein the coupling elements allow the supporting members to be pulled-apart, and wherein the supporting members are interconnected in a hinged manner in the pulled-apart position.

Abstract: A supporting core for using in a device for forming plates into a structured hollow profile and a method for producing structured hollow profiles from a plate, which on the one hand ensures an all-over support of the plate, and still enables the production of hollow profiles with a variable cross-section or a curved course, is provided by including individual supporting members, which when pushed together at least in part form as a surface an inner contour of the hollow profile to be produced and are interconnected by means of coupling elements, wherein the coupling elements allow the supporting members to be pulled-apart, and wherein the supporting members are interconnected in a hinged manner in the pulled-apart position.

Abstract: A process for producing a metal hollow body comprising a first axial portion with a first cross-sectional area and a second axial portion with a second cross-sectional area, and in which the two axial portions are connected to one another by means of a shape transition running in the axial direction, the method includes producing a preform body having at least one transition region which extends in the axial direction and is arranged between the first and second axial portions, wherein, in the transition region, the cross-sectional area of the preform body continuously changes from the cross-sectional area of the first axial portion into the cross-sectional area of the second axial portion, accommodating the preform body in a die, a shaping mandrel into the preform body, and axially moving the shaping mandrel to upset the preform body in the die into the final shape of the hollow body.