Abstract: An apparatus comprises an uncoiling device for unrolling sheet material, an embossing device for embossing a series of crush initiating embossments into the sheet, a slitter to remove deformed edges of the sheet to facilitate welding, and a roll former with rolls configured to deform the sheet into a continuous tubular beam with walls each including some of the embossments, with the rolls being configured to clear the embossments but accurately form corners joining the walls. The apparatus further includes a welder welding abutting edges of the sheet together to fix the tubular beam, with the abutting edges being located inboard of an adjacent one of the corners but outboard of an outboard edge of adjacent ones of the embossments, and a cutoff device for cutting the continuous tubular beam into beam segments. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bumper reinforcement beam provides improved bending stiffness and strength, while reducing weight and maintaining functional bending impact strength. The illustrated beam is roll formed and includes a B-shaped cross section with upper and lower tubular sections sharing a common horizontal wall. A first material of the lower tubular section, including the common horizontal wall, is thinner than a second material forming a remainder of the upper tubular section. By using this arrangement for bumper beams that are likely to be impacted above a centerline, beam weight can be reduced by 2.5% to 6.7% or greater; while the stroke (intrusion into the vehicle) of impactors is generally maintained and maximum load capability (beam bending strength) is maintained.