Abstract: A process and assembly for heat treating portions of a steel article, such as an advanced high strength (AHSS) steel or Gen3 steel, in order to create each of hard and transition zones in a nominally hard steel stamping, such as in a vehicle's structural stampings including a pillar, in order to design deformation zones during a collision event. In an initial operation, the invention provides for positioning of heating elements at locations along such as a blank shaped steel article. Following an initial heating, a suitable forming or stamping operation is employed to bend or reform the article with the heated zones defining the bend axles or points within the article. Following the initial heating and bending/stamping operations, additional heating elements can be positioned, such as against outer flange locations of the previously stamped article, following which a subsequent trimming or final fabricating step is employed to complete the article.

Abstract: A process and assembly for heat treating portions of a metal article, such as an advanced high strength (AHSS) steel. In an initial operation, the invention provides for positioning of heating elements along a travel path of an unreeled sheet of a metal. Following an initial heating, an initial bending or forming is employed by a first roll pass to bend or reform the article with the heated zones defining the bend axles or points within the article. Following the initial heating and bending operations, additional heating elements can located, such as against outer flange locations of the previously bent article for further bending in response to a downstream located roll pass operation, following which a subsequent trimming or final fabricating step is employed to complete the article.

Abstract: A process and assembly for heat treating portions of a steel article, such as an advanced high strength (AHSS) steel or Gen3 steel, in order to create each of hard and transition zones in a nominally hard steel stamping, such as in a vehicle's structural stampings including a pillar, in order to design deformation zones during a collision event. In an initial operation, the invention provides for positioning of heating elements at locations along such as a blank shaped steel article. Following an initial heating, a suitable forming or stamping operation is employed to bend or reform the article with the heated zones defining the bend axles or points within the article. Following the initial heating and bending/stamping operations, additional heating elements can be positioned, such as against outer flange locations of the previously stamped article, following which a subsequent trimming or final fabricating step is employed to complete the article.

Abstract: A process and assembly for flanging or hemming an edge of an aluminum casted article, including positioning each of a heating element and a holding pad in proximity to an extending edge of the casted article, heating the edge of the casted article corresponding to the placement of the heating element, and then applying a roller or flattening tool having a contact portion for engaging and bending the heated edge until reformed into a final bent or folded profile. Additional steps include repositioning the at least one heating element or positioning at least one additional heating element at a further location of the casted article, following which a subsequent trimming or final fabricating step is employed to complete the article.

Abstract: A process and assembly for heat treating portions of a steel article, such as an advanced high strength (AHSS) steel or Gen3 steel, in order to create each of hard and transition zones in a nominally hard steel stamping, such as in a vehicle's structural stampings including a pillar, in order to design deformation zones during a collision event. In an initial operation, the invention provides for positioning of heating elements at locations along such as a blank shaped steel article. Following an initial heating, a suitable forming or stamping operation is employed to bend or reform the article with the heated zones defining the bend axles or points within the article. Following the initial heating and bending/stamping operations, additional heating elements can be positioned, such as against outer flange locations of the previously stamped article, following which a subsequent trimming or final fabricating step is employed to complete the article.

Abstract: A clinch forming assembly and associated process for joining first and second panels including a punch having a bottom most profile surface in combination with an inwardly stepped surface which is separated by a vertical edge surface. An overlapping arrangement of the first and second panels defines a center line of the punch aligning with an edge of the upper panel. Initial downward motion of the punch results in the inwardly stepped surface contacting an upper surface of the upper panel, with the vertical edge surface of the punch overlapping in close contact an adjoining side edge of the upper panel. Following a degree of initial deformation of the upper panel, the bottom most profile surface of the punch contacting an upper surface of the lower panel, with continued downward deformation of the punch against an opposing die located underneath the bottom panel resulting in clinching of the layers.

Abstract: A process and assembly for heat treating portions of a steel article, such as an advanced high strength (AHSS) steel. In an initial operation, the invention provides for positioning of heating elements at locations along such as a blank shaped steel article. Following an initial heating, a suitable forming or stamping operation is employed to bend or reform the article with the heated zones defining the bend axles or points within the article. Following the initial heating and bending/stamping operations, the heating elements can be added, such as against outer flange locations of the previously stamped article, following which a subsequent trimming or final fabricating step is employed to complete the article.