Abstract: A tow hook includes a monolithic additively manufactured side wall defining a vehicle attachment member, a hollow main body extending from the vehicle attachment member, and a hollow towing member extending from the hollow main body. The vehicle attachment member is configured to rigidly attached to a vehicle and the hollow towing member is configured to securely attach to a towing machine such that the vehicle is towable via the tow hook. The vehicle attachment member can be a threaded shaft with a bore extending along a length of the threaded shaft. The side includes a chamfered plurality of apertures extending from an inner surface of the side wall to an outer surface of the side wall, and having with an inner dimension along a length direction of the hollow main body greater than an inner dimension along a circumferential direction of the hollow main body.

Abstract: A method of quenching a press hardenable steel is provided. The method includes an initial step of die quenching a part stamped within a stamping die followed by a partial quenching after the initial step of die quenching. In various methods, the press hardenable steel is a 36MnB5 grade steel and/or the initial step of die quenching is performed at a temperature of approximately 200° C.±10° C. in a die configured for 36MnB5 grade steel. At least one method further includes opening the die followed by the partial quenching, the partial quenching comprising spraying a cooling liquid onto the part to reduce a temperature of the part below approximately 130° C.±10° C., with the option of spraying to reduce the temperature of the part below approximately 100° C.±10° C.

Abstract: A method of forming a hot stamped, die quenched, and die trimmed part is provided. The method includes hot stamping and die quenching a blank with a quench die and forming a die quenched panel. The quench die includes at least one slow-cooling channel. The die quenched panel is die trimmed along the at least one localized soft zone that is adjacent a hard zone. The blank may be formed from a press hardenable steel (PHS), and the at least one soft zone may have a ferritic microstructure and the at least one hard zone may have a martensitic microstructure. The at least one localized soft zone may have a microhardness between about 200 HV and about 250 HV and the hard zone may have a microhardness between about 400 HV and about 500 HV.

Abstract: A temporary restraining device is provided that includes a head portion, a central body positioned below the head portion, an upper gap defined between the head portion and the central body, and a base portion positioned below the central body, a lower gap defined between the base portion and the central body. The temporary restraining device maintains a predetermined offset between workpieces disposed within the upper and lower gaps for subsequent manufacturing operations.

Abstract: A method of forming a hot stamped, die quenched, and die trimmed part is provided. The method includes hot stamping and die quenching a blank with a quench die and forming a die quenched panel. The quench die includes at least one slow-cooling channel. The die quenched panel is die trimmed along the at least one localized soft zone that is adjacent a hard zone. The blank may be formed from a press hardenable steel (PHS), and the at least one soft zone may have a ferritic microstructure and the at least one hard zone may have a martensitic microstructure. The at least one localized soft zone may have a microhardness between about 200 HV and about 250 HV and the hard zone may have a microhardness between about 400 HV and about 500 HV.

Abstract: A temporary restraining device is provided that includes a head portion, a central body positioned below the head portion, an upper gap defined between the head portion and the central body, and a base portion positioned below the central body, a lower gap defined between the base portion and the central body. The temporary restraining device maintains a predetermined offset between workpieces disposed within the upper and lower gaps for subsequent manufacturing operations.

Abstract: Methods of heat treating aluminum alloys are disclosed. The method may include forming a sheet of solution heat-treated, quenched, and aged 6xxx series aluminum having a sheet average yield strength of at least 100 MPa into a component. The component may then be attached to an assembly and at least a portion of the assembly may be painted. The method may then include heat treating the assembly to cure the paint and to increase a component average yield to at least 240 MPa. In another embodiment, the method may include progressively forging a sheet of T4-tempered 6xxx series aluminum into a component using multiple dies and artificially aging the component at 210° C. to 240° C. for 20 to 40 minutes to a component average yield strength of at least 300 MPa. The methods may reduce component cycle time and may reduce strength gradients within the component.

Abstract: A method of quenching a press hardenable steel is provided. The method includes an initial step of die quenching a part stamped within a stamping die followed by a partial quenching after the initial step of die quenching. In various methods, the press hardenable steel is a 36MnB5 grade steel and/or the initial step of die quenching is performed at a temperature of approximately 200° C.±10° C. in a die configured for 36MnB5 grade steel. At least one method further includes opening the die followed by the partial quenching, the partial quenching comprising spraying a cooling liquid onto the part to reduce a temperature of the part below approximately 130° C.±10° C., with the option of spraying to reduce the temperature of the part below approximately 100° C.±10° C.

Abstract: Methods of heat treating aluminum alloys are disclosed. The method may include forming a sheet of solution heat-treated, quenched, and aged 6xxx series aluminum having a sheet average yield strength of at least 100 MPa into a component. The component may then be attached to an assembly and at least a portion of the assembly may be painted. The method may then include heat treating the assembly to cure the paint and to increase a component average yield to at least 240 MPa. In another embodiment, the method may include progressively forging a sheet of T4-tempered 6xxx series aluminum into a component using multiple dies and artificially aging the component at 210° C. to 240° C. for 20 to 40 minutes to a component average yield strength of at least 300 MPa. The methods may reduce component cycle time and may reduce strength gradients within the component.