Abstract: A method of manufacturing an energy absorbing component for a vehicle is provided. The method includes heating a bainitic GENS steel material which has a microstructure including ferrite and bainite to a temperature above the Ac3 temperature to convert a portion of the ferrite and bainite to austenite. The method further includes forming while cooling the heated steel blank into a component in a temperature controlled steel die. During the cooling step, the steel material is cooled to a temperature below the Ms temperature to form retained austenite. A portion of the austenite transforms to martensite and bainite during the forming and cooling step. The method can further include heating the component to a temperature above the Ms temperature after the forming and cooling step to increase energy absorption characteristics. During a crash event, the strain imposed on the component converts retained austenite present in the component to martensite.

Abstract: An automotive component including a composite casting is provided. The composite casting includes a steel member and an end cap fastened to an end portion of the steel member. A cast coupling member is cast about the end portion of the steel member including the end cap, thereby positively and rigidly securing the cast coupling member to the steel member. The automotive component can comprise an engine cradle, a control arm, an instrument panel support structure, a bumper assembly, or a twist axle. The cast coupling member is typically formed by casting-in-place aluminum about the end cap and the end portion of the steel member. The steel member is typically a tubular member, and the end cap typically includes a flange designed to provide a mechanical interlock surface with the cast coupling member. For example, the flange can have a polygonal shape, an outwardly extending member, or notches.

Abstract: A hybrid torsion beam axle assembly is provided, which includes a steel torsion beam. An end cap is fastened to an end portion of the steel torsion beam, and a cast trailing arm is cast about the end portion of the steel torsion beam including the end cap. In this way, the cast trailing arm is positively and rigidly secured to the steel torsion beam.

Abstract: An automotive component including a composite casting is provided. The composite casting includes a steel member and an end cap fastened to an end portion of the steel member. A cast coupling member is cast about the end portion of the steel member including the end cap, thereby positively and rigidly securing the cast coupling member to the steel member. The automotive component can comprise an engine cradle, a control arm, an instrument panel support structure, a bumper assembly, or a twist axle. The cast coupling member is typically formed by casting-in-place aluminum about the end cap and the end portion of the steel member. The steel member is typically a tubular member, and the end cap typically includes a flange designed to provide a mechanical interlock surface with the cast coupling member. For example, the flange can have a polygonal shape, an outwardly extending member, or notches.

Abstract: A method of forming metal castings, including positioning a first end of a structural member in a first mold cavity and a second end of the structural member in a second mold cavity. The first and second mold cavities being fluidly coupled to a reservoir of molten metal. Applying a main pressure to the molten metal in the reservoir to force the molten metal into the first mold cavity and the second mold cavity. Then, applying a first auxiliary pressure to the first mold cavity and a second auxiliary pressure to the second mold cavity to densify the casting formed in the first mold cavity and the second mold cavity. Also, a method for casting including maintaining a main pressure at or less than an initial, mold-filling pressure after first and second mold cavities have been filled. Additionally, a method for detecting whether a first mold cavity is sufficiently filled with molten metal by monitoring a moveable element.

Abstract: A hybrid torsion beam axle assembly is provided, which includes a steel torsion beam. An end cap is fastened to an end portion of the steel torsion beam, and a cast trailing arm is cast about the end portion of the steel torsion beam including the end cap. In this way, the cast trailing arm is positively and rigidly secured to the steel torsion beam.

Abstract: A hybrid torsion beam axle assembly is provided, which includes a steel torsion beam. An end cap is fastened to an end portion of the steel torsion beam, and a cast trailing arm is cast about the end portion of the steel torsion beam including the end cap. In this way, the cast trailing arm is positively and rigidly secured to the steel torsion beam.

Abstract: Direct-metal deposition (DMD), preferably under closed-loop control, is used to fabricate alloy-variant material structures which provide a combination of desirable physical and mechanical properties. Use of the invention facilitates the production of high-strength, high-wear, and impact-resistant structures which decrease the likelihood of erosion, heat checking and brittle failure in injection molds, die casting, thixomolding and other, more exotic tooling. The invention uses DMD to deposit a first material or alloy in an area exposed to high wear, such as the tooling gate area, with a second material or alloy being used elsewhere in the tool for greater impact resistance. Advantageously, the areas may be of a user-defined thickness to further improve longevity. The resulting composite material structure has mechanical properties (i.e.

Abstract: A hybrid torsion beam axle assembly is provided, which includes a steel torsion beam. An end cap is fastened to an end portion of the steel torsion beam, and a cast trailing arm is cast about the end portion of the steel torsion beam including the end cap. In this way, the cast trailing arm is positively and rigidly secured to the steel torsion beam.

Abstract: A method of forming metal castings, including positioning a first end of a structural member in a first mold cavity and a second end of the structural member in a second mold cavity. The first and second mold cavities being fluidly coupled to a reservoir of molten metal. Applying a main pressure to the molten metal in the reservoir to force the molten metal into the first mold cavity and the second mold cavity. Then, applying a first auxiliary pressure to the first mold cavity and a second auxiliary pressure to the second mold cavity to densify the casting formed in the first mold cavity and the second mold cavity. Also, a method for casting including maintaining a main pressure at or less than an initial, mold-filling pressure after first and second mold cavities have been filled. Additionally, a method for detecting whether a first mold cavity is sufficiently filled with molten metal by monitoring a moveable element.

Abstract: A hybrid component for lightweight, structural uses, including a steel member formed of a high strength steel; and a cast coupling member cast on a portion of the steel member by casting-in-place a semi-solid aluminum about the portion of the steel member, thereby positively and rigidly securing the coupling member to the steel member. A method of forming a hybrid component for lightweight, structural uses, including: forming a steel member formed of a high strength steel into a predetermined configuration; and casting a coupling member on a portion of the steel member by casting-in-place a semi-solid aluminum about the portion of the steel member, thereby positively and rigidly securing the coupling member to the steel member.

Abstract: A method of forming metal castings includes positioning a first end of a structural member in a first mold cavity and a second end of the structural member in a second mold cavity. The first and second mold cavities are fluidly coupled to a reservoir of molten metal. A main pressure is applied to the molten metal in the reservoir to force the molten metal into the first and second mold cavities. First and second auxiliary pressures are applied to the first and second mold cavities to densify the castings formed in the first and second mold cavities. Another method for casting includes maintaining a main pressure at or less than an initial, mold-filling pressure after the first and second mold cavities have been filled. Additionally, a method for detecting whether a first mold cavity is sufficiently filled with molten metal includes monitoring a moveable element.

Abstract: The present invention incorporates one or more diode lasers for the high-power CO2 or Nd-YAG lasers currently used in closed-loop DMD systems. Being semiconductor-based, such devices are almost instantaneously responsive to the electrical input. As such, a DMD system driven by a diode laser according to the invention provides a much faster response compared to other sources. The faster response time, in turn, provides for enhanced dimensional control and capability to produce intricate components with better dimensional accuracy.

Abstract: An assembly including a control arm and a steering knuckle, one of the control arm and the steering knuckle having a first end with a ball, the other of the control arm and the steering knuckle having a socket that includes a bearing structure formed so as to surround a portion of the ball to securely fasten the ball to the socket. The control arm has a bayonette configuration to receive a first node and a second node is cast directly onto the control arm.

Abstract: An assembly including a control arm and a steering knuckle, one of the control arm and the steering knuckle having a first end with a ball, the other of the control arm and the steering knuckle having a socket that includes a bearing structure formed so as to surround a portion of the ball to securely fasten the ball to the socket.

Abstract: A method of forming metal castings, including positioning a first end of a structural member in a first mold cavity and a second end of the structural member in a second mold cavity. The first and second mold cavities being fluidly coupled to a reservoir of molten metal. Applying a main pressure to the molten metal in the reservoir to force the molten metal into the first mold cavity and the second mold cavity. Then, applying a first auxiliary pressure to the first mold cavity and a second auxiliary pressure to the second mold cavity to density the casting formed in the first mold cavity and the second mold cavity. Also, a method for casting including maintaining a main pressure at or less than an initial, mold-filling pressure after first and second mold cavities have been filled. Additionally, a method for detecting whether a first mold cavity is sufficiently filled with molten metal by monitoring a moveable element.

Abstract: A laser-assisted, direct metal deposition (DMDtm), preferably in a closed-loop arrangement, is used to fabricate designed articles and components such as molds and tools with improved properties. A laminate substrate or structure is provided having a surface onto which a layer of a material is deposited having the desired characteristic using the laser-assisted DMD process. In different embodiments, the substrate/layer combination may be tailored for improved wear resistance, thermal conductivity, density/hardness, corrosion and/or resistance to corrosion, oxidation or other desirable effects. Alternatively, the layer of material may be tailored to have a phase which is different from that of the substrate. In particular, the layer material itself may be chosen to promote a phase which is different from that of the substrate. To enhance throughput, the outer layer(s) of material may be fabricated using a robotic closed-loop DMD arrangement.

Abstract: A laminate material composite structure is fabricated using a laser-based direct-metal deposition process to provide unique physical and mechanical properties. The relative difference in physical properties such as thermal conductivity between dissimilar pure metals or metal alloys provides the ability to deposit highly conductive materials having a low level of porosity using the DMD laser-based process. The proximity of a pure metal or metal alloy which has relatively high mechanical properties, compared to that of thermally conductive material, provides the structural strength, hardness and wear resistance required of mold materials. The combination of physical and mechanical properties associated with the laminate material composite structure provide thermal management benefits which result in a reduction in molding process cycle times and improved part quality.

Abstract: A laser-assisted, direct metal deposition (DMD™), preferably in a closed-loop arrangement, is used to fabricate designed articles and tools such as molds and tools with improved properties. According to the method of the invention, a substrate is provided having a surface, onto which a layer of a material is deposited having the desired characteristic using the laser-assisted DMD process. In different embodiments, the substrate/layer combination may be tailored for improved wear resistance, thermal conductivity, density/hardness, corrosion and/or resistance to corrosion, oxidation or other undesirable effects. Alternatively, the layer of material may be tailored to have a phase which is different from that of the substrate. In particular, the layer material itself may be chosen to promote a phase which is different from that of the substrate. In the preferred embodiment, a closed-loop, laser-assisted DMD process is deployed to build the substrate on an incremental basis.

Abstract: Direct-metal deposition (DMD), preferably under closed-loop control, is used to fabricate alloy-variant material structures which provide a combination of desirable physical and mechanical properties. Use of the invention facilitates the production of high-strength, high-wear, and impact-resistant structures which decrease the likelihood of erosion, heat checking and brittle failure in injection molds, die casting, thixomolding and other, more exotic tooling. The invention uses DMD to deposit a first material or alloy in an area exposed to high wear, such as the tooling gate area, with a second material or alloy being used elsewhere in the tool for greater impact resistance. Advantageously, the areas may be of a user-defined thickness to further improve longevity. The resulting composite material structure has mechanical properties (i.e.