Abstract: A method for producing components by hot forming includes receiving a blank having a patched region and a non-patched region; pre-heating the patched region of the blank in a pre-heat station to a pre-heat temperature by thermal conduction without pre-heating at least a portion of the non-patched region to the pre-heat temperature, to provide a pre-heated blank; transferring the pre-heated blank from the pre-heat station to a furnace; heating the entire blank in the furnace to an austenite temperature, wherein the austenite temperature is higher than the pre-heat temperature; transferring the heated blank from the furnace to a press; and shaping the heated blank in the press.

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.

Abstract: A tool for hot stamping metal sheets, formed least partially of a base block and a functional layer, is proposed. The functional layer comprises cooling channels and multiple functional layers, which building upon each other create the connection to the base block. The cooling channels are designed as a cooling channel array and are produced in a laser sintering method.

Abstract: A tool for hot stamping metal sheets, formed least partially of a base block and a functional layer, is proposed, wherein the functional layer comprises cooling channels and multiple functional layers, which building upon each other create the connection to the base block and which comprise cooling channels that are designed as a cooling channel array and produced in a laser sintering method.