Abstract: Apparatus for heat-treating an elongate structural body part made from a blank compressed while being soft or from steel strip of hardenable 22 Mn B5 mod. steel sheet with a thickness of 1 mm to 3 mm, includes an apparatus for positioning the structural body part in substantially upright disposition. Placed in surrounding relationship to the structural body part is an induction element which can move from bottom to top, thereby being able to follow a contour of the structural body part and allowing to at least partially heat the structural body part to an austenitizing temperature suitable for hardening. Disposed adjacent to the induction element is a cooling unit which follows the induction element in movement direction. The induction element and the cooling unit are moveable relative to one another and connected to a tool carriage which is mounted to a column for movement in a vertical direction, in a transverse direction to the column and about a horizontal axis.

Abstract: Apparatus for heat-treating an elongate structural body part made from a blank compressed while being soft or from steel strip of hardenable 22 Mn B5 mod. steel sheet with a thickness of 1 mm to 3 mm, includes an apparatus for positioning the structural body part in substantially upright disposition. Placed in surrounding relationship to the structural body part is an induction element which can move from bottom to top, thereby being able to follow a contour of the structural body part and allowing to at least partially heat the structural body part to an austenitizing temperature suitable for hardening. Disposed adjacent to the induction element is a cooling unit which follows the induction element in movement direction. The induction element and the cooling unit are moveable relative to one another and connected to a tool carriage which is mounted to a column for movement in a vertical direction, in a transverse direction to the column and about a horizontal axis.

Abstract: In a device for hydraulic forming of a tubular component under high inner pressure compressive conditions in a lower die and an upper die of a forming tool, the upper die can be coupled for relative limited movement by at least one piston-cylinder unit containing a hydraulic fluid with the press plunger of a travel-limited mechanical press and the cylinder interior of the piston-cylinder unit can be coupled for providing fluid communication with the interior of the component. Alternatively, in the device for hydraulic forming of a blank under high pressure compressive conditions in a forming tool comprising a lower die and an upper die, the upper die can be coupled for relative limited movement by at least one piston-cylinder unit containing a hydraulic fluid with the press plunger of a travel-limited mechanical press and the cylinder chamber of the piston-cylinder unit can be coupled for establishing fluid communication with the forming space of the forming tool.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing elongate structural parts as safety elements for automobile body construction, the structural parts having at least in regions thereof a high strength and a minimum ductility of 5% to 10%, a blank of hardenable steel is shaped in the soft state to form the elongate structural part. The elongate structural part is positioned in an upright position, and an induction element is arranged at the elongate structural part such that it surrounds the elongate structural part and is moveable in the longitudinal direction of the elongate structural part. The elongate structural part is at least partially heated by the induction element to an austenitizing temperature for hardening the elongate structural part by moving the induction element in the longitudinal direction from the bottom to the top of the elongate structural part and by following the contour of the elongate structural part.

Abstract: In a device for hydraulic forming of a tubular component under high inner pressure compressive conditions in a lower die and an upper die of a forming tool, the upper die can be coupled for relative limited movement by at least one piston-cylinder unit containing a hydraulic fluid with the press plunger of a travel-limited mechanical press and the cylinder interior of the piston-cylinder unit can be coupled for providing fluid communication with the interior of the component. Alternatively, in the device for hydraulic forming of a blank under high pressure compressive conditions in a forming tool comprising a lower die and an upper die, the upper die can be coupled for relative limited movement by at least one piston-cylinder unit containing a hydraulic fluid with the press plunger of a travel-limited mechanical press and the cylinder chamber of the piston-cylinder unit can be coupled for establishing fluid communication with the forming space of the forming tool.