Abstract: A controller alters a cycle time of a die arrangement, configured to hot stamp metal into components and having an active cooling system, based on an amount of heat transferred from the components to the active cooling system such that a grain structure of the components transitions from an austenitic state to a martensitic state.

Abstract: A hot stamping system includes a controller programmed to alter a coolant flow rate, without altering cycle time, in an active cooling system of a die arrangement, configured to hot stamp metal into components, based on an amount of heat transferred from the components to the active cooling system such that a grain structure of the components transitions from an austenitic state to a martensitic state while the die arrangement is closed.

Abstract: A process for pre-conditioning a hot stamped part is provided. The process includes continuously annealing a boron steel material having an aluminum coating for a predetermined time and at a predetermined temperature such that less than 10 weight % Iron (Fe) is in the aluminum coating and AlSi pockets are formed in the aluminum coating prior to a subsequent hot stamping process, wherein the predetermined time and temperature are a function of a thickness of the boron steel material.

Abstract: A method of orienting a weld seam in an aluminum vehicle body tube is provided. The method may include measuring a periphery of a first end of the tube to locate a position of a pip disposed on a wall of the first end of the tube and rotating the tube so that the weld seam is positioned in a predetermined location suitable for tube forming.

Abstract: A roller transport assembly includes a cart assembly and a roller carriage assembly. The roller carriage assembly is slidably mounted to the cart assembly and has at least one chamber for housing a roller. Each of the chambers includes a linear rail extending along a first axis and a roller coupling device attached to and slidable along the linear rail. The roller coupling device is operable to couple to the roller and move the roller along the first axis adjacent and parallel with the linear rail.

Abstract: A controller alters a cycle time of a die arrangement, configured to hot stamp metal into components and having an active cooling system, based on an amount of heat transferred from the components to the active cooling system such that a grain structure of the components transitions from an austenitic state to a martensitic state.

Abstract: A controller alters a cycle time of a die arrangement, configured to hot stamp metal into components and having an active cooling system, based on an amount of heat transferred from the components to the active cooling system such that a grain structure of the components transitions from an austenitic state to a martensitic state.

Abstract: A method of inspecting and determining characteristics of an aluminized coating of a hot stamped part is provided. The method includes removing a sample from the hot stamped part for Glow Discharge Optical Emission Spectrometry (GDOES), analyzing the sample using GDOES, and plotting constituent element weight percentages versus depth on a graph. The method further includes determining points on the graph where constituent elements intersect and where the points of intersection indicate the characteristics of the aluminized coating. The characteristics of the method include, by way of example, a total thickness of the aluminized coating, a thickness of an inter-diffusion layer (IDL), constituents of the aluminized coating, constituents of the hot stamped part, phase composition of the aluminized coating, surface oxidation, and weldability.

Abstract: A method of orienting a weld seam in an aluminum vehicle body tube is provided. The method may include measuring a periphery of a first end of the tube to locate a position of a pip disposed on a wall of the first end of the tube and rotating the tube so that the weld seam is positioned in a predetermined location suitable for tube forming.

Abstract: A method of inspecting and determining characteristics of an aluminized coating of a hot stamped part is provided. The method includes removing a sample from the hot stamped part for Glow Discharge Optical Emission Spectrometry (GDOES), analyzing the sample using GDOES, and plotting constituent element weight percentages versus depth on a graph. The method further includes determining points on the graph where constituent elements intersect and where the points of intersection indicate the characteristics of the aluminized coating. The characteristics of the method include, by way of example, a total thickness of the aluminized coating, a thickness of an inter-diffusion layer (IDL), constituents of the aluminized coating, constituents of the hot stamped part, phase composition of the aluminized coating, surface oxidation, and weldability.

Abstract: A roller transport assembly includes a cart assembly and a roller carriage assembly. The roller carriage assembly is slidably mounted to the cart assembly and has at least one chamber for housing a roller. Each of the chambers includes a linear rail extending along a first axis and a roller coupling device attached to and slidable along the linear rail. The roller coupling device is operable to couple to the roller and move the roller along the first axis adjacent and parallel with the linear rail.

Abstract: A process for pre-conditioning a hot stamped part is provided. The process includes continuously annealing a boron steel material having an aluminum coating for a predetermined time and at a predetermined temperature such that less than 10% Iron (Fe) is in the aluminum coating and AlSi pockets are formed in the aluminum coating prior to a subsequent hot stamping process, wherein the predetermined time and temperature are a function of a thickness of the boron steel material.

Abstract: A hot stamping system includes a controller programmed to alter a coolant flow rate, without altering cycle time, in an active cooling system of a die arrangement, configured to hot stamp metal into components, based on an amount of heat transferred from the components to the active cooling system such that a grain structure of the components transitions from an austenitic state to a martensitic state while the die arrangement is closed.

Abstract: A controller alters a cycle time of a die arrangement, configured to hot stamp metal into components and having an active cooling system, based on an amount of heat transferred from the components to the active cooling system such that a grain structure of the components transitions from an austenitic state to a martensitic state.

Abstract: A manufacturing process including a quality control procedure for verifying the completion of forming processes, heat treating and chemically treating parts. Sheet formed blanks, tubular blanks, extrusions and casting are traced through a manufacturing process from the time the parts are received. Metallurgical data relating to parts as received is recorded and marked on the parts. Forming data, heat treating data and chemical treating data may also be recorded by scanning and marking parts throughout the manufacturing process.

Abstract: A manufacturing process including a quality control procedure for verifying the completion of forming processes, heat treating and chemically treating parts. Sheet formed blanks, tubular blanks, extrusions and casting are traced through a manufacturing process from the time the parts are received. Metallurgical data relating to parts as received is recorded and marked on the parts. Forming data, heat treating data and chemical treating data may also be recorded by scanning and marking parts throughout the manufacturing process.

Abstract: A product service reporting system, method and program product for reporting product problem resolutions. A service code database contains service code records of previously encountered product problem and associated problem solutions. The service code database is sorted based on service code. Problems and associated problem solutions for specific products are entered in the service code database thorough a service code input interface. Service code records are hierarchically searched by field through a customer service input interface.