Abstract: A method of forming a finished component in a hot stamp cell having a press to form a blank in to a finished component. The press has a form tool and a piercing tool and the method includes the steps of inserting a blank in to the form tool in a first metallurgical condition, operating the press to close the form tool and form the blank, dwelling the press with the form tool closed while the blank changes from the one metallurgical condition to another metallurgical condition, and maintaining the blank within the form tool while operating the piecing tool when the other condition is attained.

Abstract: A hot stamp cell has a source of blanks, an oven to elevate the temperature of the blank, and a press to form the blank to the required shape. The oven has a pair of access doors located on opposite sides. A first robot is provided to move a blank from the source to the oven through one of the doors and a further robot provided to remove the blank from the oven through the other door. Each of the robots has a material handling tool that includes a fork with tines to carry a blank and a gripping mechanism to secure the blank to the tines. The floor of the oven has a support surface to allow stable support of the blank during heating. The floor is provided with channels extending between the doors dimensioned to receive the tines. The channels permit placement of the blank on to the surface by lowering of the fork and subsequent removal of the fork from the oven.

Abstract: A hot stamp cell has a source of blanks, an oven to elevate the temperature of the blank, and a press to form the blank to the required shape. The oven has a pair of access doors located on opposite sides. A first robot is provided to move a blank from the source to the oven through one of the doors and a further robot provided to remove the blank from the oven through the other door. Each of the robots has a material handling tool that includes a fork with tines to carry a blank and a gripping mechanism to secure the blank to the tines. The floor of the oven has a support surface to allow stable support of the blank during heating. The floor is provided with channels extending between the doors dimensioned to receive the tines. The channels permit placement of the blank on to the surface by lowering of the fork and subsequent removal of the fork from the oven.