EP3037186B1 - Method for producing a steel component with a sharp bounded transition region which is thermoformed and press-hardened - Google Patents

Method for producing a steel component with a sharp bounded transition region which is thermoformed and press-hardened Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP3037186B1
EP3037186B1 EP15198756.7A EP15198756A EP3037186B1 EP 3037186 B1 EP3037186 B1 EP 3037186B1 EP 15198756 A EP15198756 A EP 15198756A EP 3037186 B1 EP3037186 B1 EP 3037186B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
region
segment
heating
press
tempering
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP15198756.7A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3037186A2 (en
EP3037186A3 (en
Inventor
Matthias Wiemers
Robert Stockter
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
Original Assignee
Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=55072427&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=EP3037186(B1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Application filed by Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH filed Critical Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
Priority to EP17154857.1A priority Critical patent/EP3184186B1/en
Publication of EP3037186A2 publication Critical patent/EP3037186A2/en
Publication of EP3037186A3 publication Critical patent/EP3037186A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3037186B1 publication Critical patent/EP3037186B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D22/00—Shaping without cutting, by stamping, spinning, or deep-drawing
    • B21D22/02—Stamping using rigid devices or tools
    • B21D22/022—Stamping using rigid devices or tools by heating the blank or stamping associated with heat treatment
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D22/00—Shaping without cutting, by stamping, spinning, or deep-drawing
    • B21D22/20—Deep-drawing
    • B21D22/208—Deep-drawing by heating the blank or deep-drawing associated with heat treatment
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D37/00—Tools as parts of machines covered by this subclass
    • B21D37/10—Die sets; Pillar guides
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D37/00—Tools as parts of machines covered by this subclass
    • B21D37/16—Heating or cooling
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21D53/00—Making other particular articles
    • B21D53/88—Making other particular articles other parts for vehicles, e.g. cowlings, mudguards
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B30—PRESSES
    • B30B—PRESSES IN GENERAL
    • B30B15/00—Details of, or accessories for, presses; Auxiliary measures in connection with pressing
    • B30B15/007—Means for maintaining the press table, the press platen or the press ram against tilting or deflection
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B30—PRESSES
    • B30B—PRESSES IN GENERAL
    • B30B15/00—Details of, or accessories for, presses; Auxiliary measures in connection with pressing
    • B30B15/06—Platens or press rams
    • B30B15/062—Press plates
    • B30B15/064—Press plates with heating or cooling means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B30—PRESSES
    • B30B—PRESSES IN GENERAL
    • B30B15/00—Details of, or accessories for, presses; Auxiliary measures in connection with pressing
    • B30B15/06—Platens or press rams
    • B30B15/065—Press rams
    • B30B15/067—Press rams with means for equalizing the pressure exerted by a plurality of press rams
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C21—METALLURGY OF IRON
    • C21D—MODIFYING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF FERROUS METALS; GENERAL DEVICES FOR HEAT TREATMENT OF FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS METALS OR ALLOYS; MAKING METAL MALLEABLE, e.g. BY DECARBURISATION OR TEMPERING
    • C21D1/00—General methods or devices for heat treatment, e.g. annealing, hardening, quenching or tempering
    • C21D1/62—Quenching devices
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C21—METALLURGY OF IRON
    • C21D—MODIFYING THE PHYSICAL STRUCTURE OF FERROUS METALS; GENERAL DEVICES FOR HEAT TREATMENT OF FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS METALS OR ALLOYS; MAKING METAL MALLEABLE, e.g. BY DECARBURISATION OR TEMPERING
    • C21D7/00—Modifying the physical properties of iron or steel by deformation
    • C21D7/13—Modifying the physical properties of iron or steel by deformation by hot working

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method according to claim 1.
  • a board made of a hardenable steel alloy is provided and this at least partially heated above Austenitmaschinestemperatur.
  • the at least partially austenitized sheet metal plate has higher Umform demandssgrade in the hot state, so that it is transformed in a press forming tool for sheet metal component.
  • the press-forming tool is then particularly preferably cooled in such a way that hardening of the hot-formed sheet-metal component still located in the hot-forming tool takes place.
  • the produced sheet metal part is cooled so rapidly that the austenitic structure transferred into a substantially martensitic structure or in a mixed structure becomes.
  • such a tool is from the DE 10 2011 018 850 A1 known.
  • the transition zone from hard to ductile region due to heat conduction in the reshaped board or in the formed component sometimes not sufficiently sharp edges.
  • thermoformed and press-hardened component according to the features in claim 1.
  • the method according to the invention it is possible to produce a particularly sharply bordered narrow transition zone between the fully hardened region of the produced steel component and, on the other hand, softer region of the steel component.
  • the fully hardened area preferably consists almost entirely of martensitic structure, which is above AC3 temperature was quenched accordingly quickly.
  • the softer area on the other hand, preferably has a mixed structure, with the individual additional or respective microstructure constituents bainite, ferrite, perlite and / or retained austenite.
  • the transition region is initially quite wide, for example, with a width of about 100 mm and preferably formed between 100 and 200 mm during heating of the board.
  • a partition is arranged, which has a corresponding width, for example of several cm for thermal insulation between two temperature zones, for example 900 ° C and 600 ° C. , so that a transition area on the board of more than 100 mm is already generated by the different temperature effects in both temperature zones of the heating station.
  • Another factor is the heat conduction within the board itself.
  • the board is formed of a hardenable steel alloy, which also has high thermal conductivities.
  • one area of the board is heated to more than 900 ° C. and another area is heated to below 700 ° C., a heat conduction from warmer area to cooler area within the board itself is produced. This also creates a transition area having a corresponding width of more than 100 mm.
  • the heating times in the heating station are preferably between 1 and 20 minutes. and especially between 3 and 7 min.
  • the method according to the invention starts with the use of a hot-forming and press-hardening tool or, alternatively, first of all a tempering station which has a tempering segment.
  • the Temperiersegment itself is based on the total area of the board or the component to be formed only a small area overlapping formed, so that essentially the Temperiersegment approximately only the transition region of the heated board covers.
  • the Temperiersegment is brought into contact with the transition region and then either due to Konktakttemper réelle the transition region after reheating or cool or keep warm during quenching in the case of a press-hardening tool, so that a lower cooling rate is generated.
  • the heat-treated from the heating station board is first spent in the tempering, tempered in the tempering at least the transition region by Kunststofftemperierung, creating a sharply bordered, now narrow transition region is set, which forms a sharply bordered transition zone after press hardening. Subsequently, the board is placed directly in a hot forming and press hardening tool, so that further heat conduction in the board and thereby conditionally enlargement of the transition region is prevented.
  • the thermoforming mold can then be particularly advantageous homogeneous cooled formed without heating segments.
  • the tempering segment In the case of removal from the heating station and direct introduction into a hot forming and press hardening tool, the tempering segment is placed in the hot forming and press hardening tool itself.
  • the tempering segment is designed and tempered in particular as a heating segment, in particular it heats the transition region of the board during press hardening.
  • the transition region is tempered in such a way that it belongs to the softer or more ductile region on the finished manufactured component.
  • a transition region having a width between 50 mm and 200 mm at the tempered in the heating station board in a process-optimized and energetically simple way as a transition zone with a width between 1 mm and 50 mm, in particular between 15 mm and 40 mm, more preferably between 20 mm and 30 mm the component produced after the press hardening process has a sharp edge.
  • the tempering is arranged in the upper tool and / or lower tool of the tempering or the hot forming and press hardening tool.
  • the Temperiersegement has such a dimension that it covers an area ratio of 50 to 95% of the transition region of the heated board.
  • the tempering segment is dimensioned such that it additionally overlaps the under AC3, in particular heated under AC1 temperature range from the transition region, further up to 70 mm, in particular up to 60 mm and particularly preferably up to 50 mm. Overall, a surface area is then covered by the tempering, which corresponds to 70 to 140% of the transition region.
  • the method is carried out on a hot forming tool described below, wherein furthermore particularly preferably a compensating element is arranged behind the tempering segment, so that the different thermal expansions of the tempering segment are compensated or compensated, in particular in the press lifting direction of the hot forming tool.
  • the hot forming tool has an upper tool and a lower tool, which are movable toward each other and a mold cavity is formed when the hot forming tool is closed between upper tool and lower tool, wherein the upper tool and / or the lower tool is divided into at least two segments / are.
  • the sheet metal forming component produced is in contact with the respective mold surface of the upper tool or lower tool.
  • the hot forming tool according to the invention is characterized in that at least one segment is designed as a heating segment and that the heating segment on a side opposite the mold cavity a compensation element has, so that a thermal expansion of the heating segment is compensated in Pressenhubides.
  • the hot forming tool is used in the context of the invention, in particular for forming sheet metal blanks, wherein the sheet metal blanks have a relation to the room temperature higher temperature.
  • Sheet metal blanks can be formed from a steel alloy but also from a light metal alloy, such as an aluminum alloy.
  • a hot-workable and hardenable steel alloy is preferably processed with the hot-forming tool according to the invention, so that the hot-forming tool is designed in particular as a hot-forming and press-hardening tool.
  • the temperature of the component to be hot-formed then has at least partially a temperature above the austenitizing temperature, ie above AC3.
  • the compensating element is preferably designed in conjunction with a floating bearing with a linear degree of freedom, in particular in the press lifting direction in conjunction with a spring.
  • the heating segment itself is preferably actively heated so that, for example, in particular in the heating segment itself, a heating source is integrated.
  • a heating segment in the upper tool and a corresponding arranged heating segment in the lower tool is provided.
  • the remaining segments are then provided with cooling channels and are tempered, so that the formed sheet metal blank is cooled down so rapidly that a hardened microstructure, in particular a martensitic microstructure, is established, for example, in the case of an austenitic microstructure of the blank.
  • the heating segment has a higher temperature during stratified operation over the remaining segments of the hot forming tool and expands more.
  • the temperature and dimension of the heating segment before and during contact with the board differ from each other.
  • the compensation element on the rear side of the heating segment makes it possible for a thermal expansion in the press lifting direction to be compensated by the heating segment in the upper tool or in the lower tool, thus a thermal expansion in the direction of the mold cavity by the compensating element.
  • the heating segment is resiliently mounted, so that an expansion of the heating segment causes the compensation element is compressed and a contraction of the heating segment leads to an expansion of the compensation element.
  • the absolute position of the mold surface of the heating segment in the mold cavity is approximately constant, with uniform plant contact of the mold surface of the heating segment and the mold surface of the adjacent segments on the circuit board.
  • heat source in the heating segment various heat sources can be used.
  • heating cartridges or even resistance heaters in the form of heating wires are conceivable.
  • an inductive heating source which may then be integrated in the heating segment or else arranged externally, with respect to the mold cavity behind the heating segment.
  • the heating segment is undersized at room temperature. This means that the actual size of the heating segment in the state at room temperature is smaller than the nominal size of the heating segment at the operating temperature.
  • the dimensions refer to the absolute position of the mold surface of the heating segment in the mold cavity. Upon heating of the heating segment by an active heat source, the heating segment then expands as a result of the heat. At operating temperature, the heating segment preferably reaches its nominal dimension and / or a dimension lying slightly above the nominal dimension. In this case, the absolute position of the mold surface of the heating segment with respect to the mold cavity is exactly passively set by the compensating element. Possible fluctuations as a result of different temperatures during of the production process are then compensated by the small excess and / or the compensation element.
  • the compensation element is designed as a mechanically passive element with a linear degree of freedom of movement, in particular in the press lifting direction.
  • the compensation element is a resilient element, in particular a spring, most preferably a helical compression spring.
  • a plurality of compensation elements in particular a plurality of springs distributed such that tilting of the heating segment during compression of the compensation element is avoided.
  • the number and position and / or spring rate of the compensation elements, in particular of the springs can then be designed as a function of the deformation rates and / or the surface pressure acting on the respective surface section on the heating segment.
  • the compensating element may also be a cushion, in particular a hydraulic cushion, which is filled with a compressible fluid.
  • the upper tool is mounted on a tappet and / or the lower tool on a press table.
  • the rear side of the segments are preferably fixed in each case in a form-fitting manner in the case of the upper tool on the tappet table and in the case of the lower tool on the press table, preferably with the inclusion of a clamping plate.
  • the respective heating segment is then stored floating and particularly preferably has a linear guide.
  • the linear guide is in particular designed such that the linear degree of freedom of movement takes place in the direction of the press stroke.
  • the guide is designed as a guide rod which engages in a guide hole, thus as a positive sliding guide.
  • the linear guide is arranged centrally on the heating segment with respect to a plane perpendicular to the press lifting direction of the hot forming tool. A longitudinal extension of the heating segment in all directions of the plane from the substantially central centering is thus made possible.
  • the Expansion in the press stroke direction itself is in turn realized by the compensation element.
  • an insulating layer is arranged on the rear side of the heating segment and / or insulating layers are arranged on the side edges or side surfaces of the heating segment. Due to the insulating layer heat loss can be reduced both with active heating segment, since the heat flow should be concentrated only on the sheet metal blank, the heat conduction, however, takes place in the heating segment itself in all directions, thus also to the back of the heating segment.
  • an insulating layer By using an insulating layer, the energy input for actively heating the heating segment can be reduced.
  • the insulating layer on the side edges or side surfaces of the heating segment are designed so that heat conduction to the segment adjacent to the heating segment is prevented. Again, the energy used for heating and heating of the heating segment is kept low and at the same time reaches a sharply bordered transition region on the component to be produced.
  • the heating segment is formed from a material which has a lower thermal conductivity compared to the rest of the upper tool and / or lower tool. Consequently, the thermal conductivity of the material of the heating segment is less than the thermal conductivity of the materials of the heating segment adjacent segments.
  • the material of the heating segment has a higher heat resistance.
  • the aim is to realize a high heat dissipation so that the press hardening process is carried out.
  • significantly or only significantly less heat should be dissipated, so that no hardening or at most partial hardening takes place.
  • a further preferred embodiment also provides that cooling channels are formed in the heating segment, so that also the region of the produced sheet-metal forming component against which the heating segment rests is at least partially coolable.
  • cooling channels are formed in the heating segment, so that also the region of the produced sheet-metal forming component against which the heating segment rests is at least partially coolable.
  • a partially cured mixed structure can be adjusted specifically.
  • this can be achieved so that during a maintenance quickly a hand-warm state in the heating segment is reached or the heating segment does not overheat.
  • a gap in particular an air gap, is formed between the heating segment and at least one of the adjacent segments of the heating segment.
  • This air gap has two advantages. On the one hand, due to the gap, and hence the physical separation, there is no heat conduction from the heating segment to an adjacent segment. Thus, the transition area can be sharpened more sharply.
  • the heating segment can expand in the press lifting direction due to the compensating element, wherein the press lifting direction is mostly oriented vertically
  • the heating segment can expand horizontally, thus transversely to the Pressenhubides while it is preferably displaceably mounted in the horizontal direction in the horizontal direction due to the linear guide.
  • FIG. 1 shows a hot forming tool 1 for performing the method in the case of FIG. 1b in a side view and in the case of FIG. 1a in a cross-sectional view along the section line aa.
  • the hot forming tool 1 has an upper tool 2 and a lower tool 3, wherein the upper tool is formed of three segments 4, 5, 6, which comprise two normal segments 4, 5 and a heating segment 6 and the lower tool 3 also of three segments 7, 8 9, wherein these also comprise two segments 7, 8 and a heating segment 9.
  • the heating segments 6, 9 each have two heating sources 10, for example, media lines for carrying out a heating medium or else heating coils or the like.
  • the remaining segments 4, 5, 7, 8 each have cooling channels 11.
  • the segments 4, 5 of the upper tool 2 are attached to a tappet 13 by incorporation of a clamping bed 12.
  • the segments 7, 8 of the lower tool 3 are fixed to a clamping bed 14, which in turn is mounted on a press table 15. The attachment is done, for example, each by means of sliding blocks.
  • the heating segment 9 of the lower tool 3 is mounted floating over compensating elements 16, wherein the compensating elements 16 are at least partially formed as a spring.
  • the centrally arranged linear guide 17 which has an axial degree of freedom of movement in the press stroke direction 18.
  • the linear guide 17 is in each case arranged centrally on the heating segment 9, so that the heating segment 9 in all directions transverse to the linear guide 17 can expand or contract due to thermal action.
  • the hot forming tool 1 is shown in the closed state, so that a mold cavity 19 results between the upper tool 2 and lower tool 3 and in the mold cavity 19 is a Blechumformbauteil 20 with closed hot forming tool 1 in contact with the respective surface of the segments 4, 5.
  • the possibly different extension in the press stroke direction 18 of the heating segment 9 relative to the adjacent segment 8 is compensated by the compensating elements 16.
  • a gap 21 between the heating segment 9 and segment 8 and between the heating segment 6 and segment 5 is provided, which prevents heat conduction from the heating segment 6, 9 to segment 5, 8.
  • the heating segment 6 is not resiliently mounted in this case on the upper tool 2.
  • insulating layers 22 are arranged so that a heat transfer to the respective clamping beds 12, 14 is largely prevented due to heat conduction.
  • insulating layers 22 are also arranged on the outer side surfaces of the heating segments 6, 9 so that heat dissipation to the surroundings U is likewise prevented.
  • FIGS. 2a and b show an analogous embodiment FIG. 1 with the differences described below.
  • the heating segments 6, 9 are each based on the illustration in FIG FIG. 2b arranged on the inside.
  • the heating segment 6, 9 of the lower tool 3 by means of balancing elements 16 is floating or mounted elastically, so that a mutually different thermal expansion in Pressenhubides 18 is prevented.
  • a corresponding insulating layer 22 is arranged between the respective heating segment 6, 9 and this adjacent segment 4, 5, 7, 8, a corresponding insulating layer 22 is arranged.
  • FIG. 2a It can be seen that no guidance is provided, but the compensating elements additionally assume a guiding function and also insulating layers 22 are arranged opposite the surroundings U.
  • FIG. 3 the process sequence of the method described according to the invention is shown.
  • a circuit board 100 made of a hardenable steel alloy is provided. This already has a board blank here, for the production of a steel component 101 in the form of a B-pillar for a motor vehicle.
  • the circuit board 100 is brought into a heating station 102, here for example in the form of a continuous furnace.
  • the heating station 102 has two different temperature zones 103, 104, with respect to the image plane an upper temperature zone 103 above AC3 temperature and the image plane lower temperature zone 104 with a temperature below AC1.
  • a first area 105 of the board 100 is heated to AC3 temperature or higher, and a second area 106 is heated to below AC1 temperature.
  • a wide transition region 107 which is generated on the one hand due to heat conduction within the circuit board 100 itself, on the other hand due to the fact that a partition wall 108 of the heating station 102 has a certain width to one provide thermal isolation between temperature zone above AC3 103 and temperature zone below AC1 104.
  • a tempered circuit board 109 is provided, in which a first region 105 over Austenitmaschinestemperatur and a second region 106 below the AC1 temperature are formed and an intervening transition region 107 having a width b107 of 50 mm to 200 mm.
  • the thus tempered board 109 is inserted into a hot forming and press hardening tool 110, which is shown here by way of example by the plan view of a lower tool.
  • a hot forming and press hardening tool 110 which is shown here by way of example by the plan view of a lower tool.
  • at least one segment is arranged, which is designed as tempering segment 111 and in particular heating segment.
  • the tempering segment 111 covers in terms of area a major part of the transition region 107 and likewise overlaps, starting from the transition region 107, a part of the second region 106 which is at a temperature below AC1.
  • the tempering segment 111 makes it possible to control the cooling rate during the press hardening process and, in particular, to achieve a lower cooling rate, so that in the transition region 107 a Martensite formation is largely avoided.
  • a soft region 112 is set in the second region 106 with respect to a hard region 113, wherein the soft region 112 also extends over a large part of the transition region 107 initially present and a sharply bordered transition zone 114 with a width b114 of preferably 10 mm to 35 mm, in particular between 20 mm and 30 mm is set.
  • the width b114 of the transition zone 114 preferably corresponds to less than half the width b107 of the transition region 107, in particular less than one third of the width b107 and preferably less than one fourth of the width b107. Furthermore, in the hot forming and press-hardening tool 110, it is shown that the tempering segment 111 does not cover an upper part 107o of the transition region 107, but covers a lower part 107u of the transition region 107, the lower part 107u of the transition region 107 preferably covering 50 to 95% of the surface of the transitional area 107.
  • the tempering segment 111 then extends from the transition region 107, in the direction of the second region 106 with a width of preferably 70 mm, in particular 60 mm and particularly preferably 50 mm.
  • This covered second area 106 u is described by the reference numeral 106 u. This ensures that even the boundary region 115 between the second region 106 and the transition region 107 receives a homogeneous material structure during the press hardening process.
  • a sharply edged, highly precise transition zone 114 can be set between different strength areas 112, 113 on a steel component 101.
  • A-pillars, roof construction, Schutauernster or similar motor vehicle components are produced, which in particular have large-area soft areas.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Crystallography & Structural Chemistry (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Shaping Metal By Deep-Drawing, Or The Like (AREA)
  • Heat Treatment Of Articles (AREA)
  • Moulds For Moulding Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
  • Forging (AREA)

Description

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren gemäß Patentanspruch 1.The present invention relates to a method according to claim 1.

Im Stand der Technik ist es bekannt, zur Herstellung von Blechumformbauteilen die Warmumform- und Presshärtetechnologie einzusetzen. Insbesondere wird ein solches Verfahren zur Herstellung von Kraftfahrzeugbauteilen und hier ganz besonders bevorzugt von Kraftfahrzeugsicherheits- sowie Kraftfahrzeugstrukturbauteilen eingesetzt.In the prior art, it is known to use the hot forming and press-hardening technology for the production of Blechumformbauteilen. In particular, such a method is used for the production of motor vehicle components and here very particularly preferably of motor vehicle safety and motor vehicle structural components.

Zunächst wird eine Platine aus einer härtbaren Stahllegierung bereitgestellt und diese zumindest partiell auf über Austenitisierungstemperatur erwärmt. Die zumindest teilweise austenitisierte Blechplatine besitzt im warmen Zustand höhere Umformfreiheitsgrade, so dass diese in einem Pressumformwerkzeug zum Blechbauteil umgeformt wird. Bereits während oder nach Abschluss des Umformvorganges wird dann besonders bevorzugt das Pressumformwerkzeug gekühlt derart, dass eine Härtung des warmumgeformten noch in dem Warmformwerkzeug befindlichen Blechbauteils erfolgt. Insbesondere wird das hergestellte Blechformbauteil derart rasch abgekühlt, dass das austenitische Gefüge in im Wesentlichen martensitisches Gefüge oder aber in ein Mischgefüge überführt wird. Alternativ ist es auch möglich, das noch warme Blechumformbauteil in ein separates Haltewerkzeug zu überführen und in diesem dann durch rasches Abkühlen abschreckzuhärten.First, a board made of a hardenable steel alloy is provided and this at least partially heated above Austenitisierungstemperatur. The at least partially austenitized sheet metal plate has higher Umformfreiheitsgrade in the hot state, so that it is transformed in a press forming tool for sheet metal component. Already during or after completion of the forming process, the press-forming tool is then particularly preferably cooled in such a way that hardening of the hot-formed sheet-metal component still located in the hot-forming tool takes place. In particular, the produced sheet metal part is cooled so rapidly that the austenitic structure transferred into a substantially martensitic structure or in a mixed structure becomes. Alternatively, it is also possible to transfer the still warm Blechumformbauteil into a separate holding tool and then quenched in this by rapid cooling.

Insbesondere bei der partiellen Härtung eines Bauteils ist es von Nöten, einen scharf berandeten Übergangsbereich zwischen gehärteten Bereichen und ungehärteten Bereichen herzustellen. Aufgrund von Wärmeleitung innerhalb der Platine aber auch Wärmeleitung innerhalb des Pressumformwerkzeuges hat es sich als besonders vorteilig erwiesen, das Pressumformwerkzeug selbst segmentiert auszubilden. Dies bedeutet, dass beispielsweise das Oberwerkzeug bzw. das Unterwerkzeug in mindestens zwei voneinander verschiedene Segmente aufgeteilt ist und zwischen den Segmenten eine physische Trennung, beispielweise in Form eines Luftspaltes, vorhanden ist. Hierdurch wird eine Wärmeleitung innerhalb des Werkzeuges unterbunden. Nachteilig dabei ist jedoch, dass die separaten Segmente aufgrund der verschiedenen eingestellten Temperaturen sich unterschiedlich stark ausdehnen.In particular, in the partial curing of a component, it is necessary to produce a sharply bordered transition region between hardened areas and uncured areas. Due to heat conduction within the board but also heat conduction within the press forming tool, it has proved to be particularly advantageous to form the press forming tool itself segmented. This means that, for example, the upper tool or the lower tool is divided into at least two mutually different segments and between the segments, a physical separation, for example in the form of an air gap, is present. As a result, a heat conduction is suppressed within the tool. The disadvantage here, however, is that the separate segments expand to different extents due to the different temperatures set.

Beispielsweise ist ein solches Werkzeug aus der DE 10 2011 018 850 A1 bekannt.For example, such a tool is from the DE 10 2011 018 850 A1 known.

Weiterhin ist bei der Herstellung von warmumgeformten und pressgehärteten Bauteilen mit partiell voneinander verschiedenen Festigkeitsbereichen die Übergangszone von hartem zu duktilem Bereich aufgrund von Wärmeleitung in der umzuformenden Platine bzw. in dem umgeformten Bauteil mitunter nicht hinreichend scharf berandet.Furthermore, in the production of hot-formed and press-hardened components with partially different strength ranges, the transition zone from hard to ductile region due to heat conduction in the reshaped board or in the formed component sometimes not sufficiently sharp edges.

Aus der EP 243 808 A1 ist ein Verfahren zur Herstellung eines warmumgeformten und pressgehärteten Stahlbauteils bekannt.From the EP 243 808 A1 For example, a method of making a hot worked and press hardened steel component is known.

Es ist Aufgabe der Erfindung ein Verfahren aufzuzeigen, um bei einem warmumgeformten und pressgehärteten Bauteil mit voneinander verschiedenen Festigkeitsbereichen einen Übergangsbereich scharf zu beranden.It is an object of the invention to provide a method for sharply overcuring a transition region in a hot-formed and press-hardened component having different strength ranges from each other.

Die Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäß mit einem Verfahren zur Herstellung eines warmgeformten und pressgehärteten Bauteils gemäß den Merkmalen im Patentanspruch 1 gelöst.The object is achieved with a method for producing a thermoformed and press-hardened component according to the features in claim 1.

Vorteilhafte Ausführungsvarianten des erfindungsgemäßen Warmumformwerkzeuges sind Gegenstand der abhängigen Patentansprüche.Advantageous embodiments of the hot forming tool according to the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur Herstellung eines warmgeformten und pressgehärteten Stahlbauteils, insbesondere eines Kraftfahrzeugbauteils, mit partiell voneinander verschiedenen Festigkeitseigenschaften. Das Verfahren kennzeichnet sich durch folgende Verfahrensschritte:

  • Erwärmen einer Platine aus einer härtbaren Stahllegierung in einer Erwärmungsstation, wobei mindestens ein erster Bereich auf über Austenitisierungstemperatur (AC3) erwärmt wird und mindestens ein zweiter Bereich auf unterhalb Austenitisierungstemperatur, vorzugsweise kleiner AC1 erwärmt wird und zwischen beiden Bereichen ein Übergangsbereich ausgebildet wird,
  • Überführen der so erwärmten Platine in eine Temperierstation oder ein Warmumform- und Presshärtewerkzeug, wobei die Temperierstation oder das Warmumform- und Presshärtewerkzeug segmentiert ausgebildet ist und mindestens ein Temperiersegment aufweist, wobei das Temperiersegment im Bereich des sich ergebenden Übergangsbereichs der erwärmten Platine angeordnet ist,
  • Temperieren des Übergangsbereichs mit dem Temperiersegment auf eine Temperatur unterhalb der Ac1 Temperatur, bevorzugt jedoch auf einer Temperatur größer 450°C, insbesondere größer 550°C,
  • Warmumformen und Presshärten des Stahlbauteils mit mindestens einem harten Bereich und einem weichen Bereich sowie einer dazwischen liegenden Übergangszone.
The present invention relates to a method for producing a thermoformed and press-hardened steel component, in particular a motor vehicle component, with partially different strength properties. The method is characterized by the following method steps:
  • Heating a hardenable steel alloy board in a heating station, wherein at least a first area is heated above austenitizing temperature (AC3) and at least a second area is heated to below austenitizing temperature, preferably lower AC1, and a transition area is formed between both areas,
  • Transferring the thus heated board into a tempering station or a hot forming and press hardening tool, the tempering station or the hot forming and press hardening tool being segmented and having at least one tempering segment, wherein the tempering segment is arranged in the region of the resulting transition area of the heated board,
  • Temperieren the transition region with the tempering segment to a temperature below the Ac1 temperature, but preferably at a temperature greater than 450 ° C, in particular greater than 550 ° C,
  • Hot forming and press hardening of the steel component with at least one hard area and a soft area and an intermediate transition zone.

Mit dem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren ist es möglich eine besonders scharf berandete schmale Übergangszone zwischen vollständig gehärtetem Bereich des hergestellten Stahlbauteils und demgegenüber weicheren Bereich des Stahlbauteils herzustellen. Der vollständig gehärtete Bereich besteht vorzugsweise annähernd vollständig aus martensitischem Gefüge, welches von über AC3 Temperatur entsprechend schnell abgeschreckt wurde. Der demgegenüber weichere Bereich weist bevorzugt ein Mischgefüge auf, mit den einzelnen zusätzlichen bzw. jeweiligen Gefügebestandteilen Bainit, Ferrit, Perlit und/oder Restaustenit. Dies wird insbesondere dadurch hergestellt, dass entweder der duktilere und somit weichere Bereich des Stahlbauteils vor dem Warmumformen zunächst nicht vollständig austenitisiert ist und/oder während des Presshärtens nicht derart schnell abgeschreckt wird, so dass ein vollständig martensitisches Gefüge vermieden wird, bevorzugt kein martensitisches Gefüge ausgebildet wird.With the method according to the invention, it is possible to produce a particularly sharply bordered narrow transition zone between the fully hardened region of the produced steel component and, on the other hand, softer region of the steel component. The fully hardened area preferably consists almost entirely of martensitic structure, which is above AC3 temperature was quenched accordingly quickly. The softer area, on the other hand, preferably has a mixed structure, with the individual additional or respective microstructure constituents bainite, ferrite, perlite and / or retained austenite. This is produced in particular in that either the more ductile and therefore softer region of the steel component is not completely austenitized before hot forming and / or is not quenched so rapidly during press hardening, so that a completely martensitic microstructure is avoided, preferably no martensitic microstructure is formed becomes.

Der Übergangsbereich ist während der Erwärmung der Platine zunächst recht breit, beispielsweise mit einer Breite von über 100 mm und bevorzugt zwischen 100 und 200 mm ausgebildet. Dies bedingt sich dadurch, dass zum einen in der Erwärmungsstation, beispielsweise in Form eines Durchlaufofens oder eines Etagenofens eine Trennwand angeordnet ist, die zur thermischen Isolierung zwischen zwei Temperaturzonen, beispielsweise 900°C und 600°C eine entsprechende Breite, beispielsweise von mehreren cm aufweist, so dass ein Übergangsbereich an der Platine von mehr als 100 mm bereits durch die verschiedenen Temperatureinwirkungen in beiden Temperaturzonen der Erwärmungsstation erzeugt wird. Ein weiterer Faktor ist die Wärmeleitung innerhalb der Platine selbst. Die Platine ist aus einer härtbaren Stahllegierung ausgebildet, welche zudem hohe Wärmeleitfähigkeiten aufweist. Wird beispielsweise ein Bereich der Platine auf mehr als 900°C erwärmt und ein anderer Bereich auf unter 700°C erwärmt, so entsteht eine Wärmeleitung von wärmerem Bereich zu kühlerem Bereich innerhalb der Platine selbst. Auch hierdurch wird ein Übergangsbereich erzeugt, der eine entsprechende Breite von mehr als 100 mm aufweist. Die Erwärmungszeiten in der Erwärmungsstation betragen bevorzugt zwischen 1 und 20 min. und insbesondere zwischen 3 und 7 min.The transition region is initially quite wide, for example, with a width of about 100 mm and preferably formed between 100 and 200 mm during heating of the board. This is due to the fact that on the one hand in the heating station, for example in the form of a continuous furnace or a bunker a partition is arranged, which has a corresponding width, for example of several cm for thermal insulation between two temperature zones, for example 900 ° C and 600 ° C. , so that a transition area on the board of more than 100 mm is already generated by the different temperature effects in both temperature zones of the heating station. Another factor is the heat conduction within the board itself. The board is formed of a hardenable steel alloy, which also has high thermal conductivities. If, for example, one area of the board is heated to more than 900 ° C. and another area is heated to below 700 ° C., a heat conduction from warmer area to cooler area within the board itself is produced. This also creates a transition area having a corresponding width of more than 100 mm. The heating times in the heating station are preferably between 1 and 20 minutes. and especially between 3 and 7 min.

Genau hier setzt das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren an, dass ein Warmumform- und Presshärtewerkzeug oder alternativ zunächst eine Temperierstation verwendet werden, die ein Temperiersegment aufweisen. Das Temperiersegment selbst ist bezogen auf die Gesamtfläche der Platine bzw. des umzuformenden Bauteils nur einen geringen Bereich überdeckend ausgebildet, so dass im Wesentlichen das Temperiersegment annähernd nur den Übergangsbereich der erwärmten Platine abdeckt. Das Temperiersegment wird in Kontakt mit dem Übergangsbereich gebracht und kann dann aufgrund von Konktakttemperierung den Übergangsbereich entweder nacherwärmen oder aber kühlen bzw. während des Abschreckhärtens im Falle eines Presshärtewerkzeuges warm halten, so dass eine geringere Abkühlrate erzeugt wird. Im Falle einer Temperierstation wird zunächst die aus der Erwärmungsstation wärmebehandelte Platine in die Temperierstation verbracht, in der Temperierstation zumindest der Übergangsbereich durch Kontakttemperierung temperiert, wodurch ein scharf berandeter, nunmehr schmaler Übergangsbereich eingestellt wird, welcher nach dem Presshärten eine scharf berandete Übergangszone ausbildet. Anschließend wird die Platine direkt in ein Warmumform- und Presshärtewerkzeug eingelegt, so dass eine weitere Wärmeleitung in der Platine und dadurch bedingt eine Vergrößerung des Übergangsbereichs unterbunden wird. Das Warmformwerkzeug kann dann besonders vorteilhaft homogen gekühlt ohne Heizsegmente ausgebildet werden.It is precisely here that the method according to the invention starts with the use of a hot-forming and press-hardening tool or, alternatively, first of all a tempering station which has a tempering segment. The Temperiersegment itself is based on the total area of the board or the component to be formed only a small area overlapping formed, so that essentially the Temperiersegment approximately only the transition region of the heated board covers. The Temperiersegment is brought into contact with the transition region and then either due to Konktakttemperierung the transition region after reheating or cool or keep warm during quenching in the case of a press-hardening tool, so that a lower cooling rate is generated. In the case of a tempering station, the heat-treated from the heating station board is first spent in the tempering, tempered in the tempering at least the transition region by Kontakttemperierung, creating a sharply bordered, now narrow transition region is set, which forms a sharply bordered transition zone after press hardening. Subsequently, the board is placed directly in a hot forming and press hardening tool, so that further heat conduction in the board and thereby conditionally enlargement of the transition region is prevented. The thermoforming mold can then be particularly advantageous homogeneous cooled formed without heating segments.

Im Falle der Entnahme aus der Erwärmungsstation und des direkten Verbringens in ein Warmumform- und Presshärtewerkzeug ist das Temperiersegment in dem Warmumform- und Presshärtewerkzeug selbst angeordnet. Hier ist das Temperiersegment insbesondere als Heizsegment ausgebildet und temperiert, insbesondere heizt es den Übergangsbereich der Platine während des Presshärtens.In the case of removal from the heating station and direct introduction into a hot forming and press hardening tool, the tempering segment is placed in the hot forming and press hardening tool itself. Here, the tempering segment is designed and tempered in particular as a heating segment, in particular it heats the transition region of the board during press hardening.

Der Übergangsbereich wird derart temperiert, dass an dem fertig hergestellten Bauteil dieser zu dem weicheren bzw. duktileren Bereich gehört. Dies bedeutet wiederrum, dass der in der Erwärmungsstation erzeugte Übergangsbereich in der Platine zunächst von ca. 700°C bis 800°C auf unter AC1 Temperatur, insbesondere auf 500°C bis 650°C gekühlt wird und/oder während des Presshärteprozesses derart geheizt wird, dass eine geringere Abkühlrate und somit annähernd keine Martensitbildung im Übergangsbereich erzeugt wird.The transition region is tempered in such a way that it belongs to the softer or more ductile region on the finished manufactured component. This in turn means that the transition region generated in the heating station in the board is first cooled from about 700 ° C to 800 ° C to below AC1 temperature, in particular to 500 ° C to 650 ° C and / or heated during the press hardening process in that a lower cooling rate and thus almost no martensite formation is produced in the transition region.

Im Rahmen der Erfindung ist es somit möglich, einen Übergangsbereich, welcher eine Breite zwischen 50 mm und 200 mm bei der in der Erwärmungsstation temperierten Platine aufweist, in prozessoptimierter und energetisch einfacher Weise als Übergangszone mit einer Breite zwischen 1 mm und 50 mm, insbesondere zwischen 15 mm und 40 mm, besonders bevorzugt zwischen 20 mm und 30 mm an dem nach dem Presshärteprozess hergestellten Bauteil scharf berandet zu erzeugen.In the context of the invention, it is thus possible, a transition region having a width between 50 mm and 200 mm at the tempered in the heating station board, in a process-optimized and energetically simple way as a transition zone with a width between 1 mm and 50 mm, in particular between 15 mm and 40 mm, more preferably between 20 mm and 30 mm the component produced after the press hardening process has a sharp edge.

Hierzu ist das Temperiersegment im Oberwerkzeug und/oder Unterwerkzeug der Temperierstation oder aber des Warmumform- und Presshärtewerkzeuges angeordnet. Das Temperiersegement hat eine derartige Dimensionierung, dass es einen Flächenanteil von 50 bis 95% des Übergangsbereichs der erwärmten Platine überdeckt.For this purpose, the tempering is arranged in the upper tool and / or lower tool of the tempering or the hot forming and press hardening tool. The Temperiersegement has such a dimension that it covers an area ratio of 50 to 95% of the transition region of the heated board.

In weiterer vorteilhafter Ausgestaltungsvariante ist das Temperiersegment derart dimensioniert, dass es zusätzlich den auf unter AC3, insbesondere unter AC1 Temperatur erwärmten Bereich von dem Übergangsbereich aus, weiterhin bis zu 70 mm, insbesondere bis zu 60 mm und besonders bevorzugt bis zu 50 mm überlappt. Insgesamt wird dann von dem Temperiersegment ein Flächenbereich überdeckt, der 70 bis 140% des Übergangsbereichs entspricht.In a further advantageous embodiment variant, the tempering segment is dimensioned such that it additionally overlaps the under AC3, in particular heated under AC1 temperature range from the transition region, further up to 70 mm, in particular up to 60 mm and particularly preferably up to 50 mm. Overall, a surface area is then covered by the tempering, which corresponds to 70 to 140% of the transition region.

Insbesondere wird das Verfahren auf einem nachfolgend beschriebenen Warmumformwerkzeug durchgeführt, wobei weiterhin besonders bevorzugt ein Ausgleichselement hinter dem Temperiersegment angeordnet wird, so dass die unterschiedlichen thermischen Ausdehnungen des Temperiersegmentes, insbesondere in Pressenhubrichtung des Warmumformwerkzeuges kompensiert bzw. ausgeglichen werden.In particular, the method is carried out on a hot forming tool described below, wherein furthermore particularly preferably a compensating element is arranged behind the tempering segment, so that the different thermal expansions of the tempering segment are compensated or compensated, in particular in the press lifting direction of the hot forming tool.

Das Warmumformwerkzeug weist ein Oberwerkzeug und ein Unterwerkzeug auf, die aufeinander zu bewegbar sind und bei geschlossenem Warmumformwerkzeug zwischen Oberwerkzeug und Unterwerkzeug ein Formhohlraum ausgebildet ist, wobei das Oberwerkzeug und/oder das Unterwerkzeug mindestens in zwei Segmente unterteilt ist/sind. In dem Formhohlraum liegt das hergestellte Blechumformbauteil mit der jeweiligen Formoberfläche von Oberwerkzeug bzw. Unterwerkzeug im Anlagenkontakt.The hot forming tool has an upper tool and a lower tool, which are movable toward each other and a mold cavity is formed when the hot forming tool is closed between upper tool and lower tool, wherein the upper tool and / or the lower tool is divided into at least two segments / are. In the mold cavity, the sheet metal forming component produced is in contact with the respective mold surface of the upper tool or lower tool.

Das Warmumformwerkzeug ist erfindungsgemäß dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mindestens ein Segment als Heizsegment ausgebildet ist und dass das Heizsegment auf einer dem Formhohlraum gegenüberliegenden Seite ein Ausgleichselement aufweist, so dass eine thermische Ausdehnung des Heizsegmentes in Pressenhubrichtung kompensiert wird.The hot forming tool according to the invention is characterized in that at least one segment is designed as a heating segment and that the heating segment on a side opposite the mold cavity a compensation element has, so that a thermal expansion of the heating segment is compensated in Pressenhubrichtung.

Das Warmumformwerkzeug wird dabei im Rahmen der Erfindung insbesondere zum Umformen von Blechplatinen eingesetzt, wobei die Blechplatinen eine gegenüber der Raumtemperatur höhere Temperatur aufweisen. Blechplatinen können dabei aus einer Stahllegierung ausgebildet sein aber auch aus einer Leichtmetalllegierung, beispielsweise einer Aluminiumlegierung. Bevorzugt wird mit dem erfindungsgemäßen Warmumformwerkzeug jedoch eine warmumformbare und härtbare Stahllegierung bearbeitet, so dass das Warmumformwerkzeug insbesondere als Warmumform- und Presshärtewerkzeug ausgebildet ist. Die Temperatur des warmumzuformenden Bauteils weist dann zumindest partiell eine Temperatur oberhalb der Austenitisierungstemperatur, mithin über AC3 auf.The hot forming tool is used in the context of the invention, in particular for forming sheet metal blanks, wherein the sheet metal blanks have a relation to the room temperature higher temperature. Sheet metal blanks can be formed from a steel alloy but also from a light metal alloy, such as an aluminum alloy. However, a hot-workable and hardenable steel alloy is preferably processed with the hot-forming tool according to the invention, so that the hot-forming tool is designed in particular as a hot-forming and press-hardening tool. The temperature of the component to be hot-formed then has at least partially a temperature above the austenitizing temperature, ie above AC3.

Bevorzugt ist das Ausgleichselement in Verbindung mit einer schwimmenden Lagerung mit einem linearen Freiheitsgrad, insbesondere in Pressenhubrichtung in Verbindung mit einer Feder ausgebildet. Das Heizsegment selber ist bevorzugt aktiv beheizt, so dass beispielsweise insbesondere in das Heizsegment selbst, eine Heizquelle integriert ist.The compensating element is preferably designed in conjunction with a floating bearing with a linear degree of freedom, in particular in the press lifting direction in conjunction with a spring. The heating segment itself is preferably actively heated so that, for example, in particular in the heating segment itself, a heating source is integrated.

Bevorzugt ist ein Heizsegment im Oberwerkzeug und ein korrespondierend dazu angeordnetes Heizsegment im Unterwerkzeug vorgesehen. Es kann jedoch auch nur im Oberwerkzeug ein Heizsegment oder nur im Unterwerkzeug ein Heizsegment vorgesehen sein. Es können auch jeweils in Oberwerkzeug und Unterwerkzeug mehrere Heizsegmente vorgesehen sein.Preferably, a heating segment in the upper tool and a corresponding arranged heating segment in the lower tool is provided. However, it may also be provided only in the upper tool a heating segment or only in the lower tool a heating segment. It can also be provided in each upper tool and lower tool several heating segments.

Die restlichen Segmente, insbesondere die dem Heizsegment benachbarten Segmente sind dann mit Kühlkanälen versehen und werden temperiert, so dass die umgeformte Blechplatine derart rasch abgekühlt wird, dass sich beispielsweise bei einem austenitischen Gefüge der Platine ein gehärtetes Gefüge, insbesondere martensitisches Gefüge einstellt. In der Folge weist das Heizsegment eine höhere Temperatur während des Schichtbetriebs auf gegenüber den restlichen Segmenten des Warmumformwerkzeuges und dehnt sich stärker aus. Auch die Temperatur und die Abmessung des Heizsegmentes vor und während des Kontakts mit der Platine unterscheiden sich voneinander. Das Ausgleichselement auf der Rückseite des Heizsegmentes ermöglicht es, dass eine thermische Ausdehnung in Pressenhubrichtung von dem Heizsegment im Oberwerkzeug bzw. im Unterwerkzeug, mithin eine thermische Ausdehnung in Richtung des Formhohlraumes durch das Ausgleichselement kompensiert wird. Insbesondere ist dazu das Heizsegment federnd gelagert, so dass eine Ausdehnung des Heizsegmentes dazu führt, dass das Ausgleichselement zusammengedrückt wird sowie eine Kontraktion des Heizsegmentes zu einer Ausdehnung des Ausgleichselementes führt. Im Ergebnis ist die Absolutposition der Formoberfläche des Heizsegmentes im Formhohlraum annähernd konstant, wobei sich ein gleichmäßiger Anlagenkontakt der Formoberfläche des Heizsegmentes sowie der Formoberfläche der benachbarten Segmente an der Platine einstellt.The remaining segments, in particular the segments adjacent to the heating segment, are then provided with cooling channels and are tempered, so that the formed sheet metal blank is cooled down so rapidly that a hardened microstructure, in particular a martensitic microstructure, is established, for example, in the case of an austenitic microstructure of the blank. As a result, the heating segment has a higher temperature during stratified operation over the remaining segments of the hot forming tool and expands more. Also the temperature and dimension of the heating segment before and during contact with the board differ from each other. The compensation element on the rear side of the heating segment makes it possible for a thermal expansion in the press lifting direction to be compensated by the heating segment in the upper tool or in the lower tool, thus a thermal expansion in the direction of the mold cavity by the compensating element. In particular, for this purpose, the heating segment is resiliently mounted, so that an expansion of the heating segment causes the compensation element is compressed and a contraction of the heating segment leads to an expansion of the compensation element. As a result, the absolute position of the mold surface of the heating segment in the mold cavity is approximately constant, with uniform plant contact of the mold surface of the heating segment and the mold surface of the adjacent segments on the circuit board.

Im Ergebnis kann ein scharf berandeter Übergangsbereich zwischen gezielt eingestellten Gefügezuständen in den einzelnen Abschnitten des hergestellten Bauteils mit voneinander verschiedenen Härten erreicht werden.As a result, a sharply bordered transition region between specifically set structural states in the individual sections of the manufactured component can be achieved with mutually different hardnesses.

Als Heizquelle in dem Heizsegment können verschiedene Wärmequellen eingesetzt werden. Beispielsweise vorstellbar sind Heizpatronen oder aber auch Widerstandsheizungen in Form von Heizdrähten. Auch vorstellbar ist eine induktive Heizquelle, die dann in das Heizsegment integriert sein kann oder aber auch extern, in Bezug auf den Formhohlraum hinter dem Heizsegment angeordnet ist.As a heat source in the heating segment, various heat sources can be used. For example, heating cartridges or even resistance heaters in the form of heating wires are conceivable. Also conceivable is an inductive heating source, which may then be integrated in the heating segment or else arranged externally, with respect to the mold cavity behind the heating segment.

Weiterhin besonders bevorzugt ist das Heizsegment bei Raumtemperatur untermaßig ausgebildet. Dies bedeutet, dass das Istmaß des Heizsegmentes im Zustand bei Raumtemperatur kleiner dem Sollmaß des Heizsegmentes bei Betriebstemperatur ist. Die Maßangaben beziehen sich auf die Absolutposition der Formoberfläche des Heizsegmentes im Formhohlraum. Bei Erwärmung des Heizsegmentes durch eine aktive Heizquelle dehnt sich das Heizsegment dann in Folge der Wärmeinwirkung aus. Bei Betriebstemperatur erreicht das Heizsegment bevorzugt sein Sollmaß und/oder ein geringfügig über dem Sollmaß liegendes Maß. Hier stellt sich dann durch das Ausgleichselement jeweils die Absolutposition der Formoberfläche des Heizsegmentes bezogen auf den Formhohlraum exakt passiv ein. Eventuelle Schwankungen in Folge von verschiedenen Temperaturen während des Produktionsprozesses werden dann durch das geringe Übermaß und/oder das Ausgleichselement ausgeglichen.Furthermore, particularly preferably, the heating segment is undersized at room temperature. This means that the actual size of the heating segment in the state at room temperature is smaller than the nominal size of the heating segment at the operating temperature. The dimensions refer to the absolute position of the mold surface of the heating segment in the mold cavity. Upon heating of the heating segment by an active heat source, the heating segment then expands as a result of the heat. At operating temperature, the heating segment preferably reaches its nominal dimension and / or a dimension lying slightly above the nominal dimension. In this case, the absolute position of the mold surface of the heating segment with respect to the mold cavity is exactly passively set by the compensating element. Possible fluctuations as a result of different temperatures during of the production process are then compensated by the small excess and / or the compensation element.

Bevorzugt ist das Ausgleichselement als mechanisch passives Element mit einem linearen Bewegungsfreiheitsgrad, insbesondere in Pressenhubrichtung ausgebildet. Weiterhin bevorzugt ist das Ausgleichselement ein federelastisches Element, insbesondere eine Feder, ganz besonders bevorzugt eine Schraubendruckfeder. Weiterhin besonders bevorzugt sind mehrere Ausgleichselemente, insbesondere mehrere Federn derart verteilt, dass ein Verkanten des Heizsegmentes bei Einfedern des Ausgleichselementes vermieden ist. Die Anzahl und Lage und/oder Federrate der Ausgleichselemente, insbesondere der Federn kann dann in Abhängigkeit der Umformgrade und/oder der auf den jeweiligen Flächenabschnitt wirkenden Flächenpressung an dem Heizsegment ausgelegt werden. Bei einem dünnen Abschnitt des Heizsegmentes ist beispielsweise nur ein Ausgleichselement ausreichend, wohingegen bei einem breiteren Abschnitt drei, vier oder fünf Ausgleichselemente in einem Abstand zueinander positioniert angeordnet sind. Das Ausgleichselement kann jedoch auch ein Kissen sein, insbesondere ein hydraulisches Kissen, welches mit einem komprimierbaren Fluid gefüllt ist.Preferably, the compensation element is designed as a mechanically passive element with a linear degree of freedom of movement, in particular in the press lifting direction. Further preferably, the compensation element is a resilient element, in particular a spring, most preferably a helical compression spring. Further particularly preferred are a plurality of compensation elements, in particular a plurality of springs distributed such that tilting of the heating segment during compression of the compensation element is avoided. The number and position and / or spring rate of the compensation elements, in particular of the springs, can then be designed as a function of the deformation rates and / or the surface pressure acting on the respective surface section on the heating segment. In the case of a thin section of the heating segment, for example, only one compensating element is sufficient, whereas with a wider section, three, four or five compensating elements are positioned at a distance from one another. However, the compensating element may also be a cushion, in particular a hydraulic cushion, which is filled with a compressible fluid.

Weiterhin besonders bevorzugt ist das Oberwerkzeug an einem Stößeltisch gelagert und/oder das Unterwerkzeug an einem Pressentisch. Die Rückseite der Segmente sind bevorzugt jeweils formschlüssig im Falle des Oberwerkzeuges an dem Stößeltisch und im Falle des Unterwerkzeuges an dem Pressentisch bevorzugt unter Eingliederung einer Spannplatte lagefixiert. Das jeweilige Heizsegment ist dann schwimmend gelagert und weist besonders bevorzugt eine lineare Führung auf. Die lineare Führung ist insbesondere derart ausgebildet, dass der lineare Bewegungsfreiheitsgrad in Richtung des Pressenhubs erfolgt. Insbesondere ist die Führung als Führungsstab, welche in ein Führungsloch eingreift ausgeführt, mithin als formschlüssige Gleitführung.Furthermore, particularly preferably, the upper tool is mounted on a tappet and / or the lower tool on a press table. The rear side of the segments are preferably fixed in each case in a form-fitting manner in the case of the upper tool on the tappet table and in the case of the lower tool on the press table, preferably with the inclusion of a clamping plate. The respective heating segment is then stored floating and particularly preferably has a linear guide. The linear guide is in particular designed such that the linear degree of freedom of movement takes place in the direction of the press stroke. In particular, the guide is designed as a guide rod which engages in a guide hole, thus as a positive sliding guide.

Besonders bevorzugt ist die lineare Führung bezogen auf eine Ebene senkrecht zur Pressenhubrichtung des Warmumformwerkzeuges mittig an dem Heizsegment angeordnet. Eine Längenausdehnung des Heizsegmentes in alle Richtungen der Ebene von der im Wesentlichen mittigen Zentrierung wird somit ermöglicht. Die Ausdehnung in Pressenhubrichtung selbst wird wiederum durch das Ausgleichselement realisiert.Particularly preferably, the linear guide is arranged centrally on the heating segment with respect to a plane perpendicular to the press lifting direction of the hot forming tool. A longitudinal extension of the heating segment in all directions of the plane from the substantially central centering is thus made possible. The Expansion in the press stroke direction itself is in turn realized by the compensation element.

Weiterhin besonders bevorzugt ist an der Rückseite des Heizsegmentes eine Isolierlage angeordnet und/oder an den Seitenrändern bzw. Seitenflächen des Heizsegmentes sind Isolierlagen angeordnet. Aufgrund der Isolierlage kann ein Wärmeverlust sowohl bei aktivem Heizsegment vermindert werden, da der Wärmefluss nur auf die Blechplatine konzentriert werden soll, die Wärmeleitung jedoch in dem Heizsegment selber in alle Richtungen erfolgt, mithin auch zu der Rückseite des Heizsegmentes. Durch einen Einsatz einer Isolierlage kann der Energieeinsatz zum aktiven Beheizen des Heizsegmentes verringert werden. Die Isolierlage an den Seitenrändern bzw. Seitenflächen des Heizsegmentes sind so ausgebildet, dass eine Wärmeleitung an das dem Heizsegment benachbarten Segment unterbunden wird. Auch hier wird der Energieeinsatz zum Erwärmen und Heizen des Heizsegmentes gering gehalten und gleichzeitig ein scharf berandeter Übergangsbereich an dem herzustellenden Bauteil erreicht.Further particularly preferably, an insulating layer is arranged on the rear side of the heating segment and / or insulating layers are arranged on the side edges or side surfaces of the heating segment. Due to the insulating layer heat loss can be reduced both with active heating segment, since the heat flow should be concentrated only on the sheet metal blank, the heat conduction, however, takes place in the heating segment itself in all directions, thus also to the back of the heating segment. By using an insulating layer, the energy input for actively heating the heating segment can be reduced. The insulating layer on the side edges or side surfaces of the heating segment are designed so that heat conduction to the segment adjacent to the heating segment is prevented. Again, the energy used for heating and heating of the heating segment is kept low and at the same time reaches a sharply bordered transition region on the component to be produced.

In einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausführungsvariante ist das Heizsegment aus einem Werkstoff ausgebildet, der eine geringere Wärmeleitfähigkeit gegenüber dem restlichen Oberwerkzeug und/oder Unterwerkzeug aufweist. Mithin ist die Wärmeleitfähigkeit des Werkstoffes des Heizsegmentes geringer als die Wärmeleitfähigkeit der Werkstoffe der dem Heizsegment benachbarten Segmente.In a further preferred embodiment, the heating segment is formed from a material which has a lower thermal conductivity compared to the rest of the upper tool and / or lower tool. Consequently, the thermal conductivity of the material of the heating segment is less than the thermal conductivity of the materials of the heating segment adjacent segments.

Besonders bevorzugt weist der Werkstoff des Heizsegmentes eine höhere Warmfestigkeit auf. Bei dem den Heizsegment benachbarten Segmenten ist es Ziel, eine hohe Wärmeabfuhr zu realisieren, so dass der Presshärteprozess durchgeführt wird. Bei dem Heizsegment selbst soll jedoch maßgeblich keine oder nur deutlich geringere Wärme abgeführt werden, so dass keine Härtung oder allenfalls eine Teilhärtung stattfindet. Dadurch, dass das Heizsegment nur geringere Wärme abführen muss, weist dies eine höhere Warmfestigkeit auf. Unter Warmfestigkeit ist die Formstabilität bei Temperierung des Heizsegmentes zu verstehen.Particularly preferably, the material of the heating segment has a higher heat resistance. In the segments adjacent to the heating segment, the aim is to realize a high heat dissipation so that the press hardening process is carried out. In the heating segment itself, however, significantly or only significantly less heat should be dissipated, so that no hardening or at most partial hardening takes place. The fact that the heating segment only has to dissipate less heat, this has a higher heat resistance. Under heat resistance is the dimensional stability in tempering the heating segment to understand.

Optional ergänzend ist einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausführungsform auch vorgesehen, dass in dem Heizsegment Kühlkanäle ausgebildet sind, so dass auch der Bereich des hergestellten Blechumformbauteils an dem das Heizsegment anliegt, zumindest teilweise kühlbar ist. Hierdurch kann beispielsweise gezielt ein teilgehärtetes Mischgefüge eingestellt werden. Zudem kann damit erreicht werden, dass bei einer Wartung schnell ein handwarmer Zustand im Heizsegment erreicht wird oder das Heizsegment nicht überhitzt.Optionally, a further preferred embodiment also provides that cooling channels are formed in the heating segment, so that also the region of the produced sheet-metal forming component against which the heating segment rests is at least partially coolable. In this way, for example, a partially cured mixed structure can be adjusted specifically. In addition, this can be achieved so that during a maintenance quickly a hand-warm state in the heating segment is reached or the heating segment does not overheat.

Weiterhin besonders bevorzugt ist zwischen dem Heizsegment und mindestens einem der benachbarten Segmente des Heizsegmentes ein Spalt, insbesondere ein Luftspalt, ausgebildet. Dieser Luftspalt hat zwei Vorteile. Zum einen erfolgt aufgrund des Spaltes, mithin der physischen Trennung, keine Wärmeleitung von dem Heizsegment zu einem benachbarten Segment. Mithin kann der Übergangsbereich schärfer berandet werden.Furthermore, particularly preferably, a gap, in particular an air gap, is formed between the heating segment and at least one of the adjacent segments of the heating segment. This air gap has two advantages. On the one hand, due to the gap, and hence the physical separation, there is no heat conduction from the heating segment to an adjacent segment. Thus, the transition area can be sharpened more sharply.

Als zweiter Vorteil ist jedoch die dadurch geschaffene horizontale Ausdehnungsmöglichkeit des Heizsegmentes zu sehen. Das Heizsegment kann sich in Pressenhubrichtung aufgrund des Ausgleichselementes ausdehnen, wobei die Pressenhubrichtung zumeist vertikal orientiert istAs a second advantage, however, the thus created horizontal expansion possibility of the heating segment can be seen. The heating segment can expand in the press lifting direction due to the compensating element, wherein the press lifting direction is mostly oriented vertically

Aufgrund des Spaltes kann sich das Heizsegment horizontal ausdehnen, mithin quer zur Pressenhubrichtung während es bevorzugt aufgrund der linearen Führung in der Mitte in Horizontalrichtung verschiebfest gelagert ist.Due to the gap, the heating segment can expand horizontally, thus transversely to the Pressenhubrichtung while it is preferably displaceably mounted in the horizontal direction in the horizontal direction due to the linear guide.

Weitere Vorteile, Merkmale, Eigenschaften und Aspekte der vorliegenden Erfindung sind Gegenstand der nachfolgenden Beschreibung. Bevorzugte Ausgestaltungsvarianten werden in den schematischen Figuren dargestellt. Diese dienen dem einfachen Verständnis der Erfindung. Es zeigen:

Figur 1a und
b ein Warmumformwerkzeug in Querschnittsansicht und Seitenansicht zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens,
Figur 2a und b
eine alternative Ausgestaltungsvariante zu Figur 1a und b mit innenliegenden Heizsegment und
Figur 3
das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren zur Herstellung eines warmumgeformten und pressgehärteten Stahlbauteils mit voneinander verschiedenen Festigkeitsbereichen.
Further advantages, features, characteristics and aspects of the present invention are the subject of the following description. Preferred embodiments are shown in the schematic figures. These are for easy understanding of the invention. Show it:
Figure 1a and
b is a hot forming tool in cross-sectional view and side view for carrying out the method according to the invention,
FIGS. 2a and b
an alternative embodiment variant FIGS. 1a and b with internal heating segment and
FIG. 3
the inventive method for producing a hot-formed and press-hardened steel component with mutually different strength ranges.

In den Figuren werden für gleiche oder ähnliche Bauteile dieselben Bezugszeichen verwendet, auch wenn eine wiederholte Beschreibung aus Vereinfachungsgründen entfällt.In the figures, the same reference numerals are used for the same or similar components, even if a repeated description is omitted for reasons of simplicity.

Figur 1 zeigt ein Warmumformwerkzeug 1 zur Durchführung des Verfahrens im Falle von Figur 1b in einer Seitenansicht und im Falle von Figur 1a in einer Querschnittsansicht gemäß der Schnittlinie a-a. Das Warmumformwerkzeug 1 weist ein Oberwerkzeug 2 und ein Unterwerkzeug 3 auf, wobei das Oberwerkzeug aus drei Segmenten 4, 5, 6 ausgebildet ist, welche zwei normale Segmente 4, 5 und ein Heizsegment 6 umfassen und das Unterwerkzeug 3 ebenfalls aus drei Segmenten 7, 8, 9 ausgebildet ist, wobei auch dieses zwei Segmente 7, 8 und ein Heizsegment 9 umfassen. FIG. 1 shows a hot forming tool 1 for performing the method in the case of FIG. 1b in a side view and in the case of FIG. 1a in a cross-sectional view along the section line aa. The hot forming tool 1 has an upper tool 2 and a lower tool 3, wherein the upper tool is formed of three segments 4, 5, 6, which comprise two normal segments 4, 5 and a heating segment 6 and the lower tool 3 also of three segments 7, 8 9, wherein these also comprise two segments 7, 8 and a heating segment 9.

Die Heizsegmente 6, 9 weisen jeweils zwei Heizquellen 10 auf, beispielsweise Medienleitungen zum Durchführen eines Erwärmungsmediums oder aber auch Heizspiralen oder ähnliches. Die restlichen Segmente 4, 5, 7, 8 weisen jeweils Kühlkanäle 11 auf. Die Segmente 4, 5 des Oberwerkzeuges 2 sind dabei unter Eingliederung eines Spannbetts 12 an einem Stößeltisch 13 befestigt. Die Segmente 7, 8 des Unterwerkzeuges 3 sind an einem Spannbett 14 festgelegt, welches wiederum an einem Pressentisch 15 gelagert ist. Die Befestigung erfolgt beispielsweise jeweils mittels Nutensteinen.The heating segments 6, 9 each have two heating sources 10, for example, media lines for carrying out a heating medium or else heating coils or the like. The remaining segments 4, 5, 7, 8 each have cooling channels 11. The segments 4, 5 of the upper tool 2 are attached to a tappet 13 by incorporation of a clamping bed 12. The segments 7, 8 of the lower tool 3 are fixed to a clamping bed 14, which in turn is mounted on a press table 15. The attachment is done, for example, each by means of sliding blocks.

Erfindungsgemäß ist nunmehr vorgesehen, dass das Heizsegment 9 des Unterwerkzeuges 3 über Ausgleichselemente 16 schwimmend gelagert ist, wobei die Ausgleichselemente 16 zumindest teilweise als Feder ausgebildet sind. Zusätzlich sind gut erkennbar ist in den Figuren 1a und 1b die mittig angeordnete lineare Führung 17, die in Pressenhubrichtung 18 einen axialen Bewegungsfreiheitsgrad aufweist. Quer zur Pressenhubrichtung 18 ist die lineare Führung 17 jeweils mittig an dem Heizsegment 9 angeordnet, so dass sich das Heizsegment 9 in alle Richtungen quer zur linearen Führung 17 aufgrund thermischer Einwirkung ausdehnen kann bzw. zusammenziehen kann.According to the invention it is now provided that the heating segment 9 of the lower tool 3 is mounted floating over compensating elements 16, wherein the compensating elements 16 are at least partially formed as a spring. In addition are well recognizable in the FIGS. 1a and 1b the centrally arranged linear guide 17 which has an axial degree of freedom of movement in the press stroke direction 18. Transverse to the Pressenhubrichtung 18, the linear guide 17 is in each case arranged centrally on the heating segment 9, so that the heating segment 9 in all directions transverse to the linear guide 17 can expand or contract due to thermal action.

Das Warmumformwerkzeug 1 ist im geschlossenen Zustand dargestellt, so dass sich zwischen Oberwerkzeug 2 und Unterwerkzeug 3 ein Formhohlraum 19 ergibt und in dem Formhohlraum 19 ein Blechumformbauteil 20 bei geschlossenem Warmumformwerkzeug 1 im Anlagenkontakt mit der jeweiligen Oberfläche der Segmente 4, 5 liegt. Die eventuell voneinander verschiedene Ausdehnung in Pressenhubrichtung 18 des Heizsegmentes 9 gegenüber dem diesen benachbarten Segment 8 wird durch die Ausgleichselemente 16 kompensiert.The hot forming tool 1 is shown in the closed state, so that a mold cavity 19 results between the upper tool 2 and lower tool 3 and in the mold cavity 19 is a Blechumformbauteil 20 with closed hot forming tool 1 in contact with the respective surface of the segments 4, 5. The possibly different extension in the press stroke direction 18 of the heating segment 9 relative to the adjacent segment 8 is compensated by the compensating elements 16.

Zusätzlich ist ein Spalt 21 zwischen Heizsegment 9 und Segment 8 sowie zwischen Heizsegment 6 und Segment 5 vorgesehen, der eine Wärmeleitung von Heizsegment 6, 9 zu Segment 5, 8 unterbindet.In addition, a gap 21 between the heating segment 9 and segment 8 and between the heating segment 6 and segment 5 is provided, which prevents heat conduction from the heating segment 6, 9 to segment 5, 8.

Das Heizsegment 6 ist in diesem Falle am Oberwerkzeug 2 nicht federnd gelagert. An der dem Formhohlraum 19 abgewandten Seite der Heizsegmente 6, 9 sind Isolierlagen 22 angeordnet, so dass ein Wärmetransport an die jeweiligen Spannbetten 12, 14 aufgrund von Wärmeleitung weitestgehend unterbunden wird. Ferner sind auch an den außenliegenden Seitenflächen der Heizsegmente 6, 9 Isolierlagen 22 angeordnet, so dass eine Wärmeabfuhr an die Umgebung U ebenfalls unterbunden wird.The heating segment 6 is not resiliently mounted in this case on the upper tool 2. At the side facing away from the mold cavity 19 of the heating segments 6, 9 insulating layers 22 are arranged so that a heat transfer to the respective clamping beds 12, 14 is largely prevented due to heat conduction. Furthermore, insulating layers 22 are also arranged on the outer side surfaces of the heating segments 6, 9 so that heat dissipation to the surroundings U is likewise prevented.

Figur 2a und b zeigen eine analoge Ausführungsvariante zu Figur 1 mit den nachfolgend beschriebenen Unterschieden. Die Heizsegmente 6, 9 sind jeweils bezogen auf die Darstellung in Figur 2b innenliegend angeordnet. Auch hier ist wiederum das Heizsegment 6, 9 des Unterwerkzeuges 3 mittels Ausgleichselementen 16 schwimmend bzw. elastisch gelagert, so dass eine voneinander verschiedene Wärmeausdehnung in Pressenhubrichtung 18 unterbunden wird. Zusätzlich ist zwischen dem jeweiligen Heizsegment 6, 9 und dem diesen benachbarte Segment 4, 5, 7, 8 eine entsprechende Isolierlage 22 angeordnet. Ferner ist gemäß Figur 2a ersichtlich, dass keine Führung vorgesehen ist, sondern die Ausgleichselemente zusätzlich eine Führungsfunktion übernehmen sowie ebenfalls Isolierlagen 22 gegenüber der Umgebung U angeordnet sind. FIGS. 2a and b show an analogous embodiment FIG. 1 with the differences described below. The heating segments 6, 9 are each based on the illustration in FIG FIG. 2b arranged on the inside. Again, in turn, the heating segment 6, 9 of the lower tool 3 by means of balancing elements 16 is floating or mounted elastically, so that a mutually different thermal expansion in Pressenhubrichtung 18 is prevented. In addition, between the respective heating segment 6, 9 and this adjacent segment 4, 5, 7, 8, a corresponding insulating layer 22 is arranged. Furthermore, according to FIG. 2a It can be seen that no guidance is provided, but the compensating elements additionally assume a guiding function and also insulating layers 22 are arranged opposite the surroundings U.

In Figur 3 dargestellt ist der Verfahrensablauf des erfindungsgemäß beschriebenen Verfahrens. Zunächst wird eine Platine 100 aus einer härtbaren Stahllegierung bereitgestellt. Diese weist hier bereits einen Platinenzuschnitt auf, zur Herstellung eines Stahlbauteils 101 in Form einer B-Säule für ein Kraftfahrzeug. Die Platine 100 wird in eine Erwärmungsstation 102 verbracht, hier beispielsweise in Form eines Durchlaufofens. Die Erwärmungsstation 102 weist zwei unterschiedliche Temperaturzonen 103, 104 auf, auf die Bildebene bezogen eine obere Temperaturzone 103 über AC3 Temperatur und die auf die Bildebene bezogen untere Temperaturzone 104 mit einer Temperatur unterhalb von AC1. In der Folge wird ein erster Bereich 105 der Platine 100 auf AC3 Temperatur oder höher erwärmt und ein zweiter Bereich 106 auf unterhalb AC1 Temperatur erwärmt. Zwischen erstem Bereich 105 und zweitem Bereich 106 ist dann ein breiter Übergangsbereich 107 ausgebildet, der zum einen aufgrund von Wärmeleitung innerhalb der Platine 100 selbst erzeugt wird, zum anderen aufgrund der Tatsache, dass eine Trennwand 108 der Erwärmungsstation 102 eine gewisse Breite aufweist, um eine thermische Isolierung zwischen Temperaturzone über AC3 103 und Temperaturzone unter AC1 104 bereitzustellen.In FIG. 3 the process sequence of the method described according to the invention is shown. First, a circuit board 100 made of a hardenable steel alloy is provided. This already has a board blank here, for the production of a steel component 101 in the form of a B-pillar for a motor vehicle. The circuit board 100 is brought into a heating station 102, here for example in the form of a continuous furnace. The heating station 102 has two different temperature zones 103, 104, with respect to the image plane an upper temperature zone 103 above AC3 temperature and the image plane lower temperature zone 104 with a temperature below AC1. As a result, a first area 105 of the board 100 is heated to AC3 temperature or higher, and a second area 106 is heated to below AC1 temperature. Between the first region 105 and the second region 106 is then formed a wide transition region 107, which is generated on the one hand due to heat conduction within the circuit board 100 itself, on the other hand due to the fact that a partition wall 108 of the heating station 102 has a certain width to one provide thermal isolation between temperature zone above AC3 103 and temperature zone below AC1 104.

Nach Entnahme aus der Erwärmungsstation 102 steht eine temperierte Platine 109 bereit, in der ein erster Bereich 105 über Austenitisierungstemperatur und ein zweiter Bereich 106 unterhalb der AC1 Temperatur ausgebildet sind sowie ein dazwischen sich erstreckender Übergangsbereich 107 mit einer Breite b107 von 50 mm bis 200 mm.After removal from the heating station 102, a tempered circuit board 109 is provided, in which a first region 105 over Austenitisierungstemperatur and a second region 106 below the AC1 temperature are formed and an intervening transition region 107 having a width b107 of 50 mm to 200 mm.

Die so temperierte Platine 109 wird in ein Warmumform- und Presshärtewerkzeug 110 eingelegt, welches hier exemplarisch durch die Draufsicht auf ein Unterwerkzeug dargestellt ist. Darin ist zumindest ein Segment angeordnet, welches als Temperiersegment 111 und insbesondere Heizsegment ausgebildet ist. Das Temperiersegment 111 überdeckt dabei flächenmäßig einen Großteil des Übergangsbereiches 107 und überlappt ebenfalls von dem Übergangsbereich 107 ausgehend einen Teil des zweiten Bereiches 106, welcher sich auf unter AC1 Temperatur befindet. Mit dem Temperiersegment 111 wird es ermöglicht während des Presshärteprozesses die Abkühlgeschwindigkeit zu steuern und insbesondere eine geringere Abkühlrate zu erzielen, so dass in dem Übergangsbereich 107 eine Martensitbildung weitestgehend vermieden wird. In der Folge wird in dem zweiten Bereich 106 ein weicher Bereich 112 gegenüber einem harten Bereich 113 eingestellt, wobei sich der weiche Bereich 112 auch über einen Großteil des zunächst vorhandenen Übergangsbereiches 107 erstreckt und eine scharf berandete Übergangszone 114 mit einer Breite b114 von bevorzugt 10 mm bis 35 mm, insbesondere zwischen 20 mm und 30 mm eingestellt wird. Mit gestrichelter Linie dargestellt, ist bei dem fertig hergestellten Stahlbauteil 101 die theoretische Lage des Temperiersegmentes 111.The thus tempered board 109 is inserted into a hot forming and press hardening tool 110, which is shown here by way of example by the plan view of a lower tool. Therein, at least one segment is arranged, which is designed as tempering segment 111 and in particular heating segment. The tempering segment 111 covers in terms of area a major part of the transition region 107 and likewise overlaps, starting from the transition region 107, a part of the second region 106 which is at a temperature below AC1. The tempering segment 111 makes it possible to control the cooling rate during the press hardening process and, in particular, to achieve a lower cooling rate, so that in the transition region 107 a Martensite formation is largely avoided. As a result, a soft region 112 is set in the second region 106 with respect to a hard region 113, wherein the soft region 112 also extends over a large part of the transition region 107 initially present and a sharply bordered transition zone 114 with a width b114 of preferably 10 mm to 35 mm, in particular between 20 mm and 30 mm is set. Shown by dashed line, in the finished manufactured steel component 101 is the theoretical position of the tempering segment 111.

Die Breite b114 der Übergangszone 114 entspricht dabei bevorzugt weniger als der Hälfte der Breite b107 des Übergangsbereichs 107, insbesondere weniger als ein Drittel der Breite b107 und bevorzugt weniger als ein Viertel der Breite b107. Weiterhin dargestellt ist in dem Warmumform- und Presshärtewerkzeug 110, dass das Temperiersegment 111 einen oberen Teil 107o des Übergangsbereiches 107 nicht überdeckt, jedoch einen unteren Teil 107u des Übergangsbereiches 107 überdeckt, wobei der untere Teil 107u des Übergangsbereiches 107 bevorzugt 50 bis 95% der Fläche des Übergangsbereichs 107 entspricht. Ferner erstreckt sich das Temperiersegment 111 dann von dem Übergangsbereich 107 aus, in Richtung zu dem zweiten Bereich 106 mit einer Breite von bevorzugt 70 mm, insbesondere 60 mm und besonders bevorzugt 50 mm. Dieser überdeckte zweite Bereich 106ü wird mit dem Bezugszeichen 106ü beschrieben. Hierdurch wird sichergestellt, dass auch der Grenzbereich 115 zwischen zweitem Bereich 106 und Übergangsbereich 107 ein homogenes Werkstoffgefüge während des Presshärteprozesses erhält.The width b114 of the transition zone 114 preferably corresponds to less than half the width b107 of the transition region 107, in particular less than one third of the width b107 and preferably less than one fourth of the width b107. Furthermore, in the hot forming and press-hardening tool 110, it is shown that the tempering segment 111 does not cover an upper part 107o of the transition region 107, but covers a lower part 107u of the transition region 107, the lower part 107u of the transition region 107 preferably covering 50 to 95% of the surface of the transitional area 107. Furthermore, the tempering segment 111 then extends from the transition region 107, in the direction of the second region 106 with a width of preferably 70 mm, in particular 60 mm and particularly preferably 50 mm. This covered second area 106 u is described by the reference numeral 106 u. This ensures that even the boundary region 115 between the second region 106 and the transition region 107 receives a homogeneous material structure during the press hardening process.

In dem Warmumform- und Presshärtewerkzeug 110 kann somit durch eine einfache und effektive Maßnahme mit einer konventionellen Erwärmungsstation 102 sowie einem modifizierten Warmumform- und Presshärtewerkzeug 110 ein scharf berandeter, höchst präziser Übergangszone 114 zwischen voneinander verschiedenen Festigkeitsbereichen 112, 113 an einem Stahlbauteil 101 eingestellt werden.Thus, in the hot working and press hardening tool 110, by a simple and effective measure with a conventional heating station 102 and a modified hot forming and press hardening tool 110, a sharply edged, highly precise transition zone 114 can be set between different strength areas 112, 113 on a steel component 101.

Weiterhin bevorzugt werden A-Säulen, Dachbau, Hintertürfenster oder ähnliche Kraftfahrzeugbauteile hergestellt, welche insbesondere großflächige weiche Bereiche aufweisen.Further preferred A-pillars, roof construction, Hintertauernster or similar motor vehicle components are produced, which in particular have large-area soft areas.

Bezugszeichen:Reference numerals:

1 -1 -
Warmumformwerkzeughot forming tool
2 -2 -
Oberwerkzeugupper tool
3 -3 -
Unterwerkzeuglower tool
4 -4 -
Segment zu 2Segment to 2
5 -5 -
Segment zu 2Segment to 2
6 -6 -
Heizsegment zu 2Heating segment to 2
7 -7 -
Segment zu 3Segment to 3
8 -8th -
Segment zu 3Segment to 3
9 -9 -
Heizsegment zu 3Heating segment to 3
10-10-
Heizquelleheating source
11 -11 -
Kühlkanalcooling channel
12-12-
Spannbett zu 2Fitted bed to 2
13-13-
Stößeltischram table
14-14-
Spannbett zu 3Fitted bed to 3
15-15
Pressentischpress table
16-16-
Ausgleichselementcompensation element
17-17-
Führungguide
18 -18 -
PressenhubrichtungPress stroke direction
19-19-
Formhohlraummold cavity
20 -20 -
Platinecircuit board
21 -21 -
Spaltgap
22 -22 -
Isolierlageinsulating
23 -23 -
Rückseite zu 6, 9Back to 6, 9
100 -100 -
Platinecircuit board
101 -101 -
Stahlbauteilsteel component
102 -102 -
Erwärmungsstationheating station
103 -103 -
Temperaturzone über AC3Temperature zone above AC3
104 -104 -
Temperaturzone unter AC1Temperature zone below AC1
105 -105 -
erster Bereich zu 100first area to 100
106 -106 -
zweiter Bereich zu 100second area to 100
106ü -106ü -
überdeckter zweiter Bereichcovered second area
107 -107 -
Übergangsbereich zu 100Transition area to 100
107o -107o -
oberer Teil zu 107upper part to 107
107u -107u -
unterer Teil zu 107lower part to 107
108 -108 -
Trennwandpartition wall
109 -109 -
temperierte Platinetempered board
110 -110 -
Warmumform- und PresshärtewerkzeugHot forming and press hardening tool
111 -111 -
TemperiersegmentTemperiersegment
112 -112 -
weicher Bereichsoft area
113 -113 -
harter Bereichhard area
114 -114 -
Übergangszone zu 101Transition zone to 101
115 -115 -
Grenzbereichborder area
b107 -b107 -
Breite zu 107Width to 107
b114 -b114 -
Breite zu 114Width to 114
U -U -
UmgebungSurroundings

Claims (7)

  1. Method for manufacturing a hot-formed and press-hardened steel component (101), in particular vehicle component, with strength properties that are partially different from each other, characterised by the following method steps:
    - Heating a blank (100) of a hardenable steel alloy in a heating station (102) wherein at least one first region (105) is heated to above austenitization temperature and at least one second region (106) is heated to below austenitization temperature, preferably less than Ac1 and a transition region (107) is formed between both regions,
    - transferring the blank (100) heated in this manner to a tempering station or a hot-forming and press-hardening tool wherein the tempering station or the hot-forming and press-hardening tool (110) is formed in a segmented manner and comprises at least one tempering segment (111) wherein the tempering segment (111) is arranged in the region of the resulting transition region (107) of the blank (109) with temperatures that partially differ from each other,
    - tempering the transition region (107) before or during the press-hardening,
    - hot-forming and press-hardening the steel component (101) with at least one hard region (113) and one soft region (112) as well as a transition area (114) located therebetween wherein the transition area (114) has a smaller surface than the transition region (107).
  2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the heating station (103) is a multiple-level furnace or a continuous furnace with temperature areas (103, 104) that differ from each other wherein the temperature areas (103, 104) are in particular thermally isolated from each other by a separating wall (108).
  3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that a transition region (107) is generated in the heating station (103) between the first region (105) and the second region (106) with a width of between 50 mm and 200 mm.
  4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the tempering segment (111) covers a surface portion of the transition region (107) of 50 to 95%.
  5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the tempering segment (111) is formed as a heating segment and the transition region (107) is heated during the hot-forming and press-hardening processes by the heating segment such that complete hardening does not occur, in particular such that a workpiece structure identical to the soft region (112) is set in the case of the press-hardened steel component (101) in the transition region (107) covered by the tempering segment (111).
  6. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that a transition area (114) is generated between the hard region (113) and the soft region (112) with a width (b114) of between 1 mm and 50 mm, in particular with a width of between 10 mm and 40 mm and particularly preferably of between 20 mm and 30 mm.
  7. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the heating segment overlaps the region (106) heated to below Ac1 from the transition region (107) up to 70 mm, in particular up to 60 mm and preferably up to 50 mm.
EP15198756.7A 2014-12-23 2015-12-09 Method for producing a steel component with a sharp bounded transition region which is thermoformed and press-hardened Active EP3037186B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP17154857.1A EP3184186B1 (en) 2014-12-23 2015-12-09 Segmented heat forming tool with spring-loaded bearing

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102014119545.0A DE102014119545A1 (en) 2014-12-23 2014-12-23 Spring-mounted segmented hot-forming tool and method for producing a hot-formed and press-hardened steel component with a sharply bordered transition region

Related Child Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP17154857.1A Division EP3184186B1 (en) 2014-12-23 2015-12-09 Segmented heat forming tool with spring-loaded bearing
EP17154857.1A Division-Into EP3184186B1 (en) 2014-12-23 2015-12-09 Segmented heat forming tool with spring-loaded bearing

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3037186A2 EP3037186A2 (en) 2016-06-29
EP3037186A3 EP3037186A3 (en) 2016-12-07
EP3037186B1 true EP3037186B1 (en) 2017-08-09

Family

ID=55072427

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP15198756.7A Active EP3037186B1 (en) 2014-12-23 2015-12-09 Method for producing a steel component with a sharp bounded transition region which is thermoformed and press-hardened
EP17154857.1A Active EP3184186B1 (en) 2014-12-23 2015-12-09 Segmented heat forming tool with spring-loaded bearing

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP17154857.1A Active EP3184186B1 (en) 2014-12-23 2015-12-09 Segmented heat forming tool with spring-loaded bearing

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (2) US10245632B2 (en)
EP (2) EP3037186B1 (en)
CN (1) CN105710226B (en)
DE (1) DE102014119545A1 (en)
ES (2) ES2757571T3 (en)

Families Citing this family (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3034192A1 (en) * 2014-12-18 2016-06-22 Autotech Engineering, A.I.E. A tool for hot forming structural components
FR3055242B1 (en) * 2016-08-25 2018-08-10 I-Ten HOT PRESSING TOOL, METHOD FOR CARRYING OUT THE SAME, INSTALLATION AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME
WO2018039789A1 (en) 2016-08-30 2018-03-08 Magna International Inc. Tool with heater for forming part with tailored properties
DE102016124539B4 (en) 2016-12-15 2022-02-17 Voestalpine Metal Forming Gmbh Process for manufacturing locally hardened sheet steel components
CN106987685B (en) * 2017-02-06 2018-10-30 上海瑞挚汽车模具有限公司 A kind of heat treatment process for Cr12MoV steel casting mould types face
CN108500134B (en) * 2017-02-24 2020-07-10 比亚迪股份有限公司 Hot-press forming equipment and method for amorphous alloy and hot-press formed part
MX2019011139A (en) * 2017-03-24 2019-11-05 Nippon Steel Corp Hat member and manufacturing method therefor.
CN106964685A (en) * 2017-04-12 2017-07-21 苏州汇程精密模具有限公司 A kind of die cutting die with sectional temperature control function
DE102017109613B3 (en) * 2017-05-04 2018-03-01 Benteler Automobiltechnik Gmbh Hot forming line with tempering station and method of operation
CN107186029A (en) * 2017-06-22 2017-09-22 苏州普热斯勒先进成型技术有限公司 A kind of heater, production line and method for producing subregion intensity heat-punch member
DE102017118492A1 (en) * 2017-08-14 2019-02-14 Kirchhoff Automotive Deutschland Gmbh Press tool
DE102017127657B3 (en) * 2017-11-23 2018-11-08 Benteler Automobiltechnik Gmbh Tool for a device for heat-assisted forming, in particular hot forming and / or press hardening, and device and method for heat-assisted forming, in particular hot forming and / or press hardening with at least one such tool
CN108213199A (en) * 2017-11-30 2018-06-29 昆山邦泰汽车零部件制造有限公司 Hot stamping die
JP7214973B2 (en) * 2018-03-30 2023-01-31 マツダ株式会社 HOT PRESSING METHOD AND PROCESSING APPARATUS
CN108500150A (en) * 2018-05-07 2018-09-07 苏州言晴信息科技有限公司 One kind being convenient for titanium light alloy material forming devices
CN109702097B (en) * 2018-12-25 2024-01-02 湖州机床厂有限公司 Efficient thermoforming equipment
ES2907102T3 (en) * 2019-08-14 2022-04-21 Automation Press And Tooling Ap & T Ab Intermediate heating station
CN114728324A (en) * 2019-11-26 2022-07-08 麦格纳国际公司 Hot stamping tool assembly and method of forming a part with tailored tempering characteristics
CN111154960A (en) * 2019-12-31 2020-05-15 东风天汽模（武汉）金属材料成型有限公司 Hot-forming soft and hard area part and production process thereof
CN113857460A (en) * 2021-09-28 2021-12-31 济南方德利模具有限公司 Large oil pan low-pressure casting die, device and process

Family Cites Families (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6368542B1 (en) * 2000-06-15 2002-04-09 D-M-E Company Thermal expansion compensation support
DE10256621B3 (en) * 2002-12-03 2004-04-15 Benteler Automobiltechnik Gmbh Continuous furnace used in the production of vehicle components, e.g. B-columns, comprises two zones lying opposite each other and separated from each other by a thermal insulating separating wall
US7159437B2 (en) 2004-10-07 2007-01-09 General Motors Corporation Heated die for hot forming
US7240531B2 (en) * 2005-02-25 2007-07-10 Stolle Machinery Company, Llc Press for forming containers with profiled bottoms
DE102005032113B3 (en) 2005-07-07 2007-02-08 Schwartz, Eva Thermal deformation and partial hardening apparatus, e.g. for automobile components, comprises mold of at least two parts, each formed from segments adjustable to different temperatures
DE102006040224A1 (en) 2006-08-28 2008-03-20 Magna Automotive Services Gmbh Method and tool for hot working a metal workpiece
DE102008030279A1 (en) * 2008-06-30 2010-01-07 Benteler Automobiltechnik Gmbh Partial thermoforming and curing by means of infrared lamp heating
DE102009043926A1 (en) * 2009-09-01 2011-03-10 Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe Ag Method and device for producing a metal component
KR20110049517A (en) 2009-11-05 2011-05-12 세크론 주식회사 Apparatus for molding an electric device
DE102010011188A1 (en) * 2010-03-11 2012-01-12 Thyssenkrupp Sofedit S.A.S Mold with branched within tool parts cooling channel holes
DE102010027554A1 (en) 2010-07-19 2012-01-19 Thyssenkrupp Umformtechnik Gmbh Forming tool and method for hot forming and partial press hardening of a work piece made of sheet steel
DE102011018850B4 (en) 2011-04-27 2015-06-25 Gestamp Umformtechnik Gmbh Device for forming and partial press hardening of a work piece made of hardenable sheet steel
DE102011102167A1 (en) * 2011-05-21 2012-11-22 Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft Producing molded component with two structural regions of different ductility which are made of flat or preformed circuit board of hardenable steel, comprises heating circuit board in first region, shaping circuit board and partially curing
DE102011051943A1 (en) 2011-07-19 2013-01-24 Benteler Automobiltechnik Gmbh Forming tool and method for producing molded components from metal blanks
CN102304612B (en) 2011-09-20 2013-07-17 山东建筑大学 High-temperature splicing and quenching forming process and device of ultrahigh-strength steel
CN102554048A (en) 2011-12-13 2012-07-11 吉林大学 Method for forming variable-strength hot stamping parts by ultrahigh-strength steel
DE102012112334A1 (en) * 2012-12-14 2014-06-18 Manuela Braun Warmumformvorrichtung
WO2014123855A1 (en) 2013-02-06 2014-08-14 Magna International Inc. Hot die forming assembly and method of making a heat treated part
KR101461887B1 (en) 2013-03-15 2014-11-13 현대자동차 주식회사 Hot stamping mold
DE102014112325B4 (en) 2014-08-27 2016-12-22 Benteler Automobiltechnik Gmbh Press forming tool with tolerance compensation

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP3184186B1 (en) 2019-10-09
US20190176203A1 (en) 2019-06-13
ES2757571T3 (en) 2020-04-29
ES2640400T3 (en) 2017-11-02
CN105710226A (en) 2016-06-29
US11548050B2 (en) 2023-01-10
EP3037186A2 (en) 2016-06-29
US20160175910A1 (en) 2016-06-23
US10245632B2 (en) 2019-04-02
EP3184186A1 (en) 2017-06-28
EP3037186A3 (en) 2016-12-07
CN105710226B (en) 2018-01-19
DE102014119545A1 (en) 2016-06-23

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP3037186B1 (en) Method for producing a steel component with a sharp bounded transition region which is thermoformed and press-hardened
EP2993241B1 (en) Method and press for manufacturing cured sheet metal components, in sections at least
EP2324938B1 (en) Method and thermal recasting assembly for producing a hardened, thermally recast workpiece
EP1888794B1 (en) Method for producing a metallic component comprising adjacent sections having different material properties
EP2497840B1 (en) Oven system and process for partially heating steel blanks
EP3160667B1 (en) Method and forming tool for heat-forming, and corresponding work piece
EP1715066A1 (en) Device for forming and press hardening metal sheet, with integrated heating elements
EP2851138A1 (en) Partially cooled hot forming tool
WO2008086768A1 (en) Device for producing press-hardened sheet metal elements
DE102013212816B4 (en) Process for producing a partially press-hardened sheet metal part by direct press hardening
EP3420111A1 (en) Heat treatment method and heat treatment device
DE112016001842T5 (en) Laser sintered surface of a die for a tool
DE102015113056B4 (en) Method for the contactless cooling of steel sheets and device therefor
DE102007040013A1 (en) Heat-forming/shaping and press hardening tool for sheet-metal items in automobile industry, has coolant medium channels designed for maximally uniform cooling of sheet metal
DE102015215184B4 (en) Tool for heat treatment of undercut components
DE102014112320B4 (en) Press forming tool with compensation pad
EP3212346B1 (en) Molding tool for producing hot-formed components
DE102014203767A1 (en) Process for the production of vehicle components
DE102007002678A1 (en) Process for production of heat formed sheet component useful in production of sheet steel avoids short life of trimming tool, especially in trimming high strength steel sheets
DE102017005843A1 (en) Apparatus, system and method for forming a sheet metal blank and a workpiece produced therewith
WO2019120858A1 (en) Method for producing a profiled component, and profiled component
DE102013022292A1 (en) Process for producing a steel component with partially different properties

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: B21D 22/20 20060101AFI20161031BHEP

Ipc: B21D 37/16 20060101ALI20161031BHEP

Ipc: B21D 53/88 20060101ALI20161031BHEP

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20170118

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: B21D 22/20 20060101AFI20170224BHEP

Ipc: B21D 37/16 20060101ALI20170224BHEP

Ipc: B21D 53/88 20060101ALI20170224BHEP

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20170316

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: WIEMERS, MATTHIAS

Inventor name: STOCKTER, ROBERT

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: STOCKTER, ROBERT

Inventor name: WIEMERS, MATTHIAS

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 916262

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20170815

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: GERMAN

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 502015001633

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2640400

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

Effective date: 20171102

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20170809

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 3

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG4D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170809

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170809

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170809

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170809

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170809

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20171109

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170809

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20171209

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20171110

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170809

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170809

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20171109

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170809

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170809

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170809

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 502015001633

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170809

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170809

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170809

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170809

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20180511

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170809

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20171209

Ref country code: MT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170809

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20171231

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20171209

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20171231

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO

Effective date: 20151209

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170809

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170809

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170809

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20181231

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20181231

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170809

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170809

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20170809

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MM01

Ref document number: 916262

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20201209

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20201209

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20231220

Year of fee payment: 9

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20231221

Year of fee payment: 9

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20231218

Year of fee payment: 9

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20240129

Year of fee payment: 9