Abstract: A bumper system including a bumper beam being cast from metal having a front panel and a back panel, extending between a first bumper beam end and a second bumper beam end. A plurality of reinforcing ribs integrally cast with the bumper beam extends between the front panel and the back panel defining a non-uniform cross-sectional profile along a portion of the bumper beam. The front panel includes a front center portion disposed between a pair of front side portions. The back panel includes a back center portion disposed between a pair of back side portions. The front center portion has a front center portion thickness greater than a back center portion thickness. Each of the front side portions has a front side portion thickness being less than a back side portion thickness of adjacent one of the back side portions. Method of manufacturing the bumper system is provided.

Abstract: A coating process employing coating techniques which allow an end-user to coat steel, rather than relying on a specialized location or supplier, is provided. The techniques produce a coating having high temperature oxidation resistance, greater corrosion resistance, and added surface lubricity to minimize die wear during a stamping process. The techniques also allow configurability with surface textures and allow thickness control. In addition, selective coating of a part or product, for example, around a weld area, and the addition of componentry, for example sensors, with the sensors being employed to monitor the coating, is possible. The coating includes a top functional layer including least one of Al, Ni, Fe, Si, B, Mg, Zn, Cr, h-BN, and Mo, and an interfacial layer with intermetallics formed therein. The interfacial layer can consist of at least one intermetallic, or the interfacial layer can include a mixture of the intermetallic(s) and steel.

Abstract: A bumper system including a bumper beam being cast from metal having a front panel and a back panel, extending between a first bumper beam end and a second bumper beam end. A plurality of reinforcing ribs integrally cast with the bumper beam extends between the front panel and the back panel defining a non-uniform cross-sectional profile along a portion of the bumper beam. The front panel includes a front center portion disposed between a pair of front side portions. The back panel includes a back center portion disposed between a pair of back side portions. The front center portion has a front center portion thickness greater than a back center portion thickness. Each of the front side portions has a front side portion thickness being less than a back side portion thickness of adjacent one of the back side portions. Method of manufacturing the bumper system is provided.

Abstract: A bumper system including a bumper beam being cast from metal having a front panel and a back panel, extending between a first bumper beam end and a second bumper beam end. A plurality of reinforcing ribs integrally cast with the bumper beam extends between the front panel and the back panel defining a non-uniform cross-sectional profile along a portion of the bumper beam. The front panel includes a front center portion disposed between a pair of front side portions. The back panel includes a back center portion disposed between a pair of back side portions. The front center portion has a front center portion thickness greater than a back center portion thickness. Each of the front side portions has a front side portion thickness being less than a back side portion thickness of adjacent one of the back side portions. Method of manufacturing the bumper system is provided.

Abstract: A vehicle bumper assembly includes a bumper beam and a crash box. At least one of the bumper beam or the crash box is cast from metal, such as aluminum or magnesium, to reduce weight, reduce manufacturing process steps, and improve performance characteristics of the bumper assembly. In an embodiment, both of the bumper beam and the crash box are cast from metal to establish an integral connection therebetween. One of the bumper beam or the crash box can be open along a top and bottom portion of the bumper assembly and include at least one reinforcing rib cast integral therewith. In an embodiment, both of the bumper beam and the crash box can be open along a top and bottom portion of the bumper assembly and each include at least one reinforcing rib cast integral therewith.

Abstract: A bumper beam system is provided that includes a bumper beam that is cast from metal and has at least a first portion comprised of a first alloy and a second portion comprised of a second alloy that is different than the first alloy. Furthermore, a crash box is provided that comprises a first portion comprised of a first alloy and a second portion comprised of a second alloy that is different than the first alloy. Additionally, a bumper beam system is provided that has a bumper beam and a crash box. The bumper beam includes at least a first bumper beam portion that is comprised of a first bumper beam alloy, and the crash box includes at least a first crash box portion that is comprised of a first crash box alloy. Methods of manufacturing the bumper beam system and crash boxes are also provided.

Abstract: A bumper system including a bumper beam being cast from metal having a front panel and a back panel, extending between a first bumper beam end and a second bumper beam end. A plurality of reinforcing ribs integrally cast with the bumper beam extends between the front panel and the back panel defining a non-uniform cross-sectional profile along a portion of the bumper beam. The front panel includes a front center portion disposed between a pair of front side portions. The back panel includes a back center portion disposed between a pair of back side portions. The front center portion has a front center portion thickness greater than a back center portion thickness. Each of the front side portions has a front side portion thickness being less than a back side portion thickness of adjacent one of the back side portions. Method of manufacturing the bumper system is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to structural steel components for automotive vehicles, and methods for manufacturing the structural components. The method includes heating a workpiece to at least 900° C. to form austenite in the steel material, hot forming the workpiece, and quenching the formed workpiece to transform the austenite to martensite. The method next includes tempering at least one portion of the quenched workpiece, wherein the tempering step includes simultaneously applying thermal energy and a magnetic field to the workpiece. During the tempering step, the martensite of the steel material transforms to a mixture of ferrite and cementite precipitates. The portions of the steel material subject to the thermomagnetic tempering are also typically free of pearlite and spheroid particles. The remainder of the workpiece is protected during the tempering step to maintain a hard zone including the martensite.

Abstract: A vehicle bumper assembly includes a bumper beam and a crash box. At least one of the bumper beam or the crash box is cast from metal, such as aluminum or magnesium, to reduce weight, reduce manufacturing process steps, and improve performance characteristics of the bumper assembly. In an embodiment, both of the bumper beam and the crash box are cast from metal to establish an integral connection therebetween. One of the bumper beam or the crash box can be open along a top and bottom portion of the bumper assembly and include at least one reinforcing rib cast integral therewith. In an embodiment, both of the bumper beam and the crash box can be open along a top and bottom portion of the bumper assembly and each include at least one reinforcing rib cast integral therewith.

Abstract: A bumper beam system is provided that includes a bumper beam that is cast from metal and has at least a first portion comprised of a first alloy and a second portion comprised of a second alloy that is different than the first alloy. Furthermore, a crash box is provided that comprises a first portion comprised of a first alloy and a second portion comprised of a second alloy that is different than the first alloy. Additionally, a bumper beam system is provided that has a bumper beam and a crash box. The bumper beam includes at least a first bumper beam portion that is comprised of a first bumper beam alloy, and the crash box includes at least a first crash box portion that is comprised of a first crash box alloy. Methods of manufacturing the bumper beam system and crash boxes are also provided.