Abstract: The invention relates to a method for heating a sheet steel blank or preformed component with a zinc or zinc alloy coating, wherein the sheet steel component or blank is guided or positioned in a furnace and heated to a temperature above the austenitizing temperature, the sheet steel component or blank at least temporarily rests on a plurality of support surfaces on at least one carrier in which, on the support surfaces for the sheet steel blank or component, either a) the support surfaces are each a maximum of 200 mm2 in size, and/or b) the support surfaces consist of a porous and/or rough oxide ceramic or carbide ceramic or high-temperature resistant cast steel so that oxygen access to the surface of the steel sheet blank or component is ensured even in the region of the support surface An apparatus for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: A method for producing partially hardened steel components in which a blank composed of a hardenable sheet steel is subjected to a temperature increase and shaped into a component; the component is transferred to a tool in which the heated component is cooled and thus quench hardened; during the heating of the blank or component in order to achieve the temperature increase to a temperature required for the hardening in regions that are to have a lower hardness and/or higher ductility, cooling elements are spaced apart from the surface by a small gap; the cooling element is dimensioned so that the thermal energy acting on the region that remains ductile flows through the component into the cooling element, characterized in that in order to space the cooling element apart from the component, micro-nubs or knobs are used, which are distributed over the area of the cooling element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing partially-hardened components from steel sheets, in which a component that is cold-formed from a hardenable steel sheet material is heated, in a furnace, to a temperature below the austenitization temperature (<AC3), and a radiating element acts upon the component in sections where said component is to be austenitized (<AC3), this radiating element having a component-side contour that corresponds to the contour of the component in the section to be austenitized. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out said method.

Abstract: A method for producing partially hardened steel components in which a blank composed of a hardenable sheet steel is subjected to a temperature increase and shaped into a component; the component is transferred to a tool in which the heated component is cooled and thus quench hardened; during the heating of the blank or component in order to achieve the temperature increase to a temperature required for the hardening in regions that are to have a lower hardness and/or higher ductility, cooling elements are spaced apart from the surface by a small gap; the cooling element is dimensioned so that the thermal energy acting on the region that remains ductile flows through the component into the cooling element, characterized in that in order to space the cooling element apart from the component, micro-nubs or knobs are used, which are distributed over the area of the cooling element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing partially-hardened components from steel sheets, in which a component that is cold-formed from a hardenable steel sheet material is heated, in a furnace, to a temperature below the austenitisation temperature (<AC3), and a radiating element acts upon the component in sections where said component is to be austenitised (<AC3), this radiating element having a component-side contour that corresponds to the contour of the component in the section to be austenitised. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out said method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing partially hardened steel components in which a blank is subjected to a temperature increase that is sufficient for a quench-hardening and after reaching a desired temperature, the blank is transferred to a forming tool in which the blank is quench-hardened or the blank is cold-formed and the component obtained by the cold-forming is then subjected to a temperature increase. During the heating of the blank or component, absorption masses rest against and/or are spaced with a small gap apart from regions that are intended to have a lower hardness and/or higher ductility; with regard to its expansion and thickness, its thermal conductivity, and its thermal capacity and/or with regard to its emissivity, the absorption mass is dimensioned so that the thermal energy acting on the component in the region to remain ductile flows through the component into the absorption mass.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing partially hardened steel components in which a blank is subjected to a temperature increase that is sufficient for a quench-hardening and after reaching a desired temperature, the blank is transferred to a forming tool in which the blank is quench-hardened or the blank is cold-formed and the component obtained by the cold-forming is then subjected to a temperature increase. During the heating of the blank or component, absorption masses rest against and/or are spaced with a small gap apart from regions that are intended to have a lower hardness and/or higher ductility; with regard to its expansion and thickness, its thermal conductivity, and its thermal capacity and/or with regard to its emissivity, the absorption mass is dimensioned so that the thermal energy acting on the component in the region to remain ductile flows through the component into the absorption mass.