WO2024124347A1 - Method for heating steel blanks - Google Patents

Method for heating steel blanks Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024124347A1
WO2024124347A1 PCT/CA2023/051661 CA2023051661W WO2024124347A1 WO 2024124347 A1 WO2024124347 A1 WO 2024124347A1 CA 2023051661 W CA2023051661 W CA 2023051661W WO 2024124347 A1 WO2024124347 A1 WO 2024124347A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
metal blank
hot stamping
furnace
heating
metal
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.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/CA2023/051661
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Cyrus YAU
Jason BOETTGER
Pascal Charest
Eric Denijs
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.)
Magna International Inc
Original Assignee
Magna International Inc
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
Application filed by Magna International Inc filed Critical Magna International Inc
Publication of WO2024124347A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024124347A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • B21D35/00—Combined processes according to or processes combined with methods covered by groups B21D1/00 - B21D31/00
    • B21D35/002—Processes combined with methods covered by groups B21D1/00 - B21D31/00
    • B21D35/005—Processes combined with methods covered by groups B21D1/00 - B21D31/00 characterized by the material of the blank or the workpiece
    • 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
    • C21D1/18—Hardening; Quenching with or without subsequent tempering
    • 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
    • C21D1/18—Hardening; Quenching with or without subsequent tempering
    • C21D1/185—Hardening; Quenching with or without subsequent tempering from an intercritical temperature
    • 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
    • C21D1/34—Methods of heating
    • C21D1/42—Induction heating
    • 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
    • C21D1/673—Quenching devices for die quenching
    • 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
    • C21D8/00—Modifying the physical properties of ferrous metals or ferrous alloys by deformation combined with, or followed by, heat treatment
    • 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
    • C21D9/00—Heat treatment, e.g. annealing, hardening, quenching or tempering, adapted for particular articles; Furnaces therefor
    • C21D9/0006—Details, accessories not peculiar to any of the following furnaces
    • C21D9/0018—Details, accessories not peculiar to any of the following furnaces for charging, discharging or manipulation of charge
    • 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
    • C21D9/00—Heat treatment, e.g. annealing, hardening, quenching or tempering, adapted for particular articles; Furnaces therefor
    • C21D9/0056—Furnaces through which the charge is moved in a horizontal straight path
    • 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
    • C21D9/00—Heat treatment, e.g. annealing, hardening, quenching or tempering, adapted for particular articles; Furnaces therefor
    • C21D9/0068—Heat treatment, e.g. annealing, hardening, quenching or tempering, adapted for particular articles; Furnaces therefor for particular articles not mentioned below
    • 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
    • C21D2221/00—Treating localised areas of an article
    • 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
    • C21D2251/00—Treating composite or clad material
    • C21D2251/02—Clad material

Definitions

  • the invention relates generally to a hot stamping system and method, and more specifically to a system and method for heating steel blanks during the hot stamping process, for example steel blanks that are hot stamped to form vehicle components.
  • Hot stamping is a common process used to form a metal blank into a component having a desired shape, for example a component for a vehicle.
  • a metal blank into a component having a desired shape, for example a component for a vehicle.
  • the blank may also be a “patch” blank, which typically includes a base portion formed of steel and a patch of additional steel, or other metal, welded to a specific area of the blank to reinforce or provide additional strength to that specific area of the blank.
  • the hot stamping process typically includes heating the steel blank to a temperature of around 900° C in a furnace, and then quickly transferring the steel blank to a separate hot stamping press with a die to form the steel blank into a steel component having a desired shape.
  • the steel component is quenched, preferably in the same die of the hot stamping press.
  • Mn22B5 grade steel is typically heated to a temperature of at least 900° C, formed in the die of the hot stamping press, and quenched at a rate of about 27°C per second in the die of the hot stamping press.
  • the steel component can be transferred from the die of the hot stamping press to another location where it is trimmed, flanged, and/or pierced to achieve the final desired shape.
  • One aspect of the invention provides a method for hot stamping a metal blank.
  • the metal blank includes a main portion formed of metal, such as steel, and a patch portion different from the main portion.
  • the method first includes heating the metal blank in a furnace.
  • the metal blank is heated in the furnace until the main portion of the metal blank is at a temperature sufficient for hot stamping.
  • the method next includes induction heating the patch portion of the metal blank within 20 seconds after the metal blank has exited the furnace and while the main portion of the metal blank is at a temperature sufficient for hot stamping.
  • the induction heating is conducted by induction heaters connected to a robot, or other transfer device, while the robot transfers the heated metal blank to a hot stamping press.
  • the method includes hot stamping the heated metal blank.
  • Another aspect of the invention provides a system for hot stamping a metal blank.
  • the system includes a furnace for heating a metal blank.
  • the metal blank includes a main portion formed of metal, such as steel, and a patch portion different from the main portion.
  • the system further includes induction heaters for heating the patch portion of the metal blank after the metal blank is heated in the furnace.
  • the system further includes a hot stamping press for stamping the heated metal blank after the induction heating.
  • Another aspect of the invention provides a method for heating a metal blank during a hot stamping process.
  • the metal blank includes a main portion formed of metal, such as steel, and a patch portion different from the main portion.
  • the method includes induction heating the patch portion of the metal blank by induction heating after heating the main portion of the metal blank to a temperature sufficient for hot stamping and before hot stamping the metal blank.
  • Yet another aspect of the invention provides a system for heating a metal blank during a hot stamping process.
  • the system includes induction heaters for heating a patch portion of the metal blank after the metal blank exits a furnace and before the metal blank is placed in a hot stamping press.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a conventional hot stamping system according to an example embodiment
  • Figure 2 illustrates a hot stamping system including induction heaters according to an example embodiment
  • Figure 3 is a side view of a portion of the hot stamping system including the induction heaters according to an example embodiment. DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
  • One aspect of the invention provides a method and system 10 for hot stamping a metal blank 12 to form a metal component, for example a metal component for a vehicle.
  • the metal blank 12 is referred to as a “patch” blank 12 and thus includes a main portion 14 formed of metal and a patch portion 16 formed of a metal which is different from the metal of the main portion 14.
  • the main portion 14 can be formed of steel
  • the patch portion 16 can be formed of a different type of steel or another type metal.
  • the patch portion 16 provides additional strength to a specific area of the metal blank 12.
  • the patch portion 16 can be located in an area which will be subject to additional stress or strain during use of the metal component in a vehicle.
  • the method first includes heating the metal blank 12 until the temperature of the main portion 14 of the metal blank 12 is sufficient for hot stamping.
  • the heating step is typically conducted in a furnace or oven 18, but other heating techniques could be used.
  • the steel blank 12 is heated until the main portion 14 of the steel blank 12 reaches a temperature ranging from 900° C to 950° C, for example 930° C.
  • the metal blank 12 is removed from the furnace 18.
  • the patch portion 16 is heated to a temperature which is lower than the temperature of the main portion 14.
  • the patch portion 16 of the metal blank 12 reaches a temperature ranging from 775° C to 825° C, for example 800° C.
  • the metal blank 12 exits the furnace 18 and rests on a platform 20.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a plurality of the metal blanks 12 on the platform 20 at the exit of the furnace 18.
  • the platform 20 includes a plurality of rollers so that the metal blanks 12 can roll out of the furnace 18.
  • the method includes induction heating of at least the patch portion 16 of the metal blank 12 until the temperature of the patch portion 16 is sufficient for hot stamping.
  • the patch portion 16 is heated until the temperature of the patch portion 16 is as high as or close to the temperature of main portion 14 of the metal blank 12.
  • the patch portion 16 of the steel blank 12 is heated until the patch portion 16 of the steel blank 16 reaches a temperature ranging from 900° C to 950° C, for example 930° C.
  • the induction heating step is preferably short, for example 4 to 8 seconds, or 6 seconds.
  • the system 10 includes at least one induction heater 22 adjacent the exit of the furnace 18 to heat the patch portion 16 of the metal blank 12.
  • the induction heater 22 typically includes an induction coil, but many different types of induction heaters 22 could be used.
  • the induction heater 22 is directly aligned with the patch portion 16 so that the induction heating is directed toward the patch portion 16 and heating of the main portion 14 of the metal blank 12 is limited.
  • the heated metal blank 12 is typically transferred from the furnace 18 to a hot stamping press 24 by an automated transfer device or robot 26.
  • the system 10 hot stamps a plurality of the metal blanks 12 simultaneously, and the induction heaters 22 are connected to an end of arm tooling (EOAT) of the robot 26 which transfers the heated metal blanks 12 to the hot stamping press 24.
  • Figure 3 is a side view of one of the induction heaters 22, specifically an induction coil, connected to the robot 26 and positioned above one of the metal blanks 12.
  • the robot 26 immediately lifts the heated metal blanks 12 from the platform 20, carries the metal blanks 12 to the hot stamping press 24, and places the metal blanks 12 on a die of the hot stamping press 24.
  • the robot 26 typically lifts the heated metal blanks 12 from the platform 20 within 20 seconds of the time that the metal blanks 12 exits the furnace 18 and arrive on the platform 20.
  • the induction heater 22 connected to the robot 26 heats the patch portion 16 of the metal blank 12 while the metal blank 12 is transferred to the hot stamping press 24.
  • the step of induction heating the patch portion 16 while transferring the metal blank 12 to the hot stamping press 24 is short, for example 4 to 8 seconds, for example 6 seconds. In other words, the total time that the metal blank 12 is outside of the furnace 18 after the heating step and before the hot stamping step is 4 to 8 seconds.
  • This step includes lifting the metal blank 12, carrying the metal blank 12 to the hot stamping press 24 and placing the metal blank 12 on the die of the hot stamping press 24.
  • the induction heating ends once the metal blank 12 is placed on the die of the hot stamping press 24.
  • the method next includes hot stamping the heated metal blank 12 in the hot stamping press 24.
  • the die of the hot stamping press 24 has a specific shape that depends on the desired shape of the metal component to be formed.
  • the metal component could be designed for use as a pillar or body-in-white component of a vehicle.
  • the method typically includes quenching the metal component in the hot stamping press 24. After the quenching step, the method can include additional processing of the metal component, for example trimming, flanging, or piercing.
  • the system 10 and method disclosed herein provides numerous advantages.
  • the amount of time that the metal blank 12 spends in the furnace 18, and thus the overall process time, can be reduced when the patch portion 16 of the metal blank 12 is further heated by induction while the metal blank 12 is transferred from the furnace 18 to the hot stamping press 24.
  • the patch portion 16 typically takes a longer time to reach a temperature sufficient for hot stamping than the main portion 14.
  • the hot stamping process is faster than the heating of the metal blank 12 in the furnace. Reducing the amount of time that the metal blank 12 spends in the furnace 18 can allow the operations of the furnace 18 and hot stamping press 24 to align, such that a heated metal blank 12 is placed in the hot stamping press 24 immediately after a hot stamped metal component exits the hot stamping press 24.
  • the method can include placing the heated metal blank 12 in the hot stamping press 24 within 20 seconds after the hot stamped metal component exits the hot stamping press 24
  • Another advantage of the system 10 and method disclosed herein is that a significant amount of additional floor space is not required, since the induction heater 22 can be attached to the robot 26 which transfers the metal blank 12 from the furnace 18 to the hot stamping press 24.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Crystallography & Structural Chemistry (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Shaping Metal By Deep-Drawing, Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

A system and method for heating a metal blank during a hot stamping process, for example as steel blank used to form a vehicle component, is provided. The metal blank includes a main portion formed of steel and a patch portion formed of a metal which is different from the steel of the main portion to provide additional strength. The patch portion may not be at a temperature sufficient for hot stamping upon exiting a furnace. Thus, the method includes induction heating the patch portion while quickly transferring the metal blank from the furnace to a hot stamping press. Induction heaters are preferably connected to an end of arm tooling on a robot that transfers the metal blank from the furnace to the hot stamping press. The induction heating and transferring step occur simultaneous and have a duration of approximately 6 seconds.

Description

METHOD FOR HEATING STEEL BLANKS
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This PCT International Patent Application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/432,433, filed December 14, 2022, titled “Method For Heating Steel Blanks,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates generally to a hot stamping system and method, and more specifically to a system and method for heating steel blanks during the hot stamping process, for example steel blanks that are hot stamped to form vehicle components.
2. Related Art
[0003] Hot stamping is a common process used to form a metal blank into a component having a desired shape, for example a component for a vehicle. Various different types of steel or other metal material can be used to form the blank. The blank may also be a “patch” blank, which typically includes a base portion formed of steel and a patch of additional steel, or other metal, welded to a specific area of the blank to reinforce or provide additional strength to that specific area of the blank.
[0004] The hot stamping process typically includes heating the steel blank to a temperature of around 900° C in a furnace, and then quickly transferring the steel blank to a separate hot stamping press with a die to form the steel blank into a steel component having a desired shape. After the steel component is formed in the die of hot stamping press, the steel component is quenched, preferably in the same die of the hot stamping press. For example, Mn22B5 grade steel is typically heated to a temperature of at least 900° C, formed in the die of the hot stamping press, and quenched at a rate of about 27°C per second in the die of the hot stamping press. After the quenching step, the steel component can be transferred from the die of the hot stamping press to another location where it is trimmed, flanged, and/or pierced to achieve the final desired shape.
[0005] Current hot stamping processes are often require a significant amount of time and costs. Methods for improving the efficiency of the hot stamping process are desired.
SUMMARY
[0006] One aspect of the invention provides a method for hot stamping a metal blank. The metal blank includes a main portion formed of metal, such as steel, and a patch portion different from the main portion. The method first includes heating the metal blank in a furnace. The metal blank is heated in the furnace until the main portion of the metal blank is at a temperature sufficient for hot stamping. The method next includes induction heating the patch portion of the metal blank within 20 seconds after the metal blank has exited the furnace and while the main portion of the metal blank is at a temperature sufficient for hot stamping. Preferably, the induction heating is conducted by induction heaters connected to a robot, or other transfer device, while the robot transfers the heated metal blank to a hot stamping press. After induction heating the patch portion of the metal blank, the method includes hot stamping the heated metal blank.
[0007] Another aspect of the invention provides a system for hot stamping a metal blank. The system includes a furnace for heating a metal blank. The metal blank includes a main portion formed of metal, such as steel, and a patch portion different from the main portion. The system further includes induction heaters for heating the patch portion of the metal blank after the metal blank is heated in the furnace. The system further includes a hot stamping press for stamping the heated metal blank after the induction heating.
[0008] Another aspect of the invention provides a method for heating a metal blank during a hot stamping process. The metal blank includes a main portion formed of metal, such as steel, and a patch portion different from the main portion. The method includes induction heating the patch portion of the metal blank by induction heating after heating the main portion of the metal blank to a temperature sufficient for hot stamping and before hot stamping the metal blank.
[0009] Yet another aspect of the invention provides a system for heating a metal blank during a hot stamping process. The system includes induction heaters for heating a patch portion of the metal blank after the metal blank exits a furnace and before the metal blank is placed in a hot stamping press.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0011] Figure 1 illustrates a conventional hot stamping system according to an example embodiment;
[0012] Figure 2 illustrates a hot stamping system including induction heaters according to an example embodiment; and
[0013] Figure 3 is a side view of a portion of the hot stamping system including the induction heaters according to an example embodiment. DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0014] One aspect of the invention provides a method and system 10 for hot stamping a metal blank 12 to form a metal component, for example a metal component for a vehicle. The metal blank 12 is referred to as a “patch” blank 12 and thus includes a main portion 14 formed of metal and a patch portion 16 formed of a metal which is different from the metal of the main portion 14. For example, the main portion 14 can be formed of steel, and the patch portion 16 can be formed of a different type of steel or another type metal. The patch portion 16 provides additional strength to a specific area of the metal blank 12. For example, the patch portion 16 can be located in an area which will be subject to additional stress or strain during use of the metal component in a vehicle.
[0015] The method first includes heating the metal blank 12 until the temperature of the main portion 14 of the metal blank 12 is sufficient for hot stamping. The heating step is typically conducted in a furnace or oven 18, but other heating techniques could be used. According to an example embodiment, the steel blank 12 is heated until the main portion 14 of the steel blank 12 reaches a temperature ranging from 900° C to 950° C, for example 930° C. After the main portion 14 of the steel blank 12 reaches the temperature sufficient for hot stamping, the metal blank 12 is removed from the furnace 18. During the heating step, the patch portion 16 is heated to a temperature which is lower than the temperature of the main portion 14. According to the example embodiment, the patch portion 16 of the metal blank 12 reaches a temperature ranging from 775° C to 825° C, for example 800° C.
[0016] After the heating step, the metal blank 12 exits the furnace 18 and rests on a platform 20. Figure 1 illustrates a plurality of the metal blanks 12 on the platform 20 at the exit of the furnace 18. According to this embodiment, the platform 20 includes a plurality of rollers so that the metal blanks 12 can roll out of the furnace 18.
[0017] Immediately after exiting the furnace 18, more specifically within 20 seconds after the metal blank 12 has exited the furnace 18 and while the main portion 14 of the metal blank 12 is at a temperature sufficient for hot stamping, the method includes induction heating of at least the patch portion 16 of the metal blank 12 until the temperature of the patch portion 16 is sufficient for hot stamping. Typically, the patch portion 16 is heated until the temperature of the patch portion 16 is as high as or close to the temperature of main portion 14 of the metal blank 12. According to the example embodiment, the patch portion 16 of the steel blank 12 is heated until the patch portion 16 of the steel blank 16 reaches a temperature ranging from 900° C to 950° C, for example 930° C. The induction heating step is preferably short, for example 4 to 8 seconds, or 6 seconds.
[0018] The system 10 includes at least one induction heater 22 adjacent the exit of the furnace 18 to heat the patch portion 16 of the metal blank 12. The induction heater 22 typically includes an induction coil, but many different types of induction heaters 22 could be used. Preferably, during the induction heating step, the induction heater 22 is directly aligned with the patch portion 16 so that the induction heating is directed toward the patch portion 16 and heating of the main portion 14 of the metal blank 12 is limited.
[0019] The heated metal blank 12 is typically transferred from the furnace 18 to a hot stamping press 24 by an automated transfer device or robot 26. According to the example embodiment shown in Figure 2, the system 10 hot stamps a plurality of the metal blanks 12 simultaneously, and the induction heaters 22 are connected to an end of arm tooling (EOAT) of the robot 26 which transfers the heated metal blanks 12 to the hot stamping press 24. Figure 3 is a side view of one of the induction heaters 22, specifically an induction coil, connected to the robot 26 and positioned above one of the metal blanks 12. According to this embodiment, the robot 26 immediately lifts the heated metal blanks 12 from the platform 20, carries the metal blanks 12 to the hot stamping press 24, and places the metal blanks 12 on a die of the hot stamping press 24. For example, the robot 26 typically lifts the heated metal blanks 12 from the platform 20 within 20 seconds of the time that the metal blanks 12 exits the furnace 18 and arrive on the platform 20.
[0020] The induction heater 22 connected to the robot 26 heats the patch portion 16 of the metal blank 12 while the metal blank 12 is transferred to the hot stamping press 24. The step of induction heating the patch portion 16 while transferring the metal blank 12 to the hot stamping press 24 is short, for example 4 to 8 seconds, for example 6 seconds. In other words, the total time that the metal blank 12 is outside of the furnace 18 after the heating step and before the hot stamping step is 4 to 8 seconds. This step includes lifting the metal blank 12, carrying the metal blank 12 to the hot stamping press 24 and placing the metal blank 12 on the die of the hot stamping press 24. The induction heating ends once the metal blank 12 is placed on the die of the hot stamping press 24.
[0021] The method next includes hot stamping the heated metal blank 12 in the hot stamping press 24. The die of the hot stamping press 24 has a specific shape that depends on the desired shape of the metal component to be formed. For example, the metal component could be designed for use as a pillar or body-in-white component of a vehicle. After hot stamping the heated metal blank 12 to form the metal component, the method typically includes quenching the metal component in the hot stamping press 24. After the quenching step, the method can include additional processing of the metal component, for example trimming, flanging, or piercing. [0022] The system 10 and method disclosed herein provides numerous advantages. First, the amount of time that the metal blank 12 spends in the furnace 18, and thus the overall process time, can be reduced when the patch portion 16 of the metal blank 12 is further heated by induction while the metal blank 12 is transferred from the furnace 18 to the hot stamping press 24. This is because the patch portion 16 typically takes a longer time to reach a temperature sufficient for hot stamping than the main portion 14. In addition, oftentimes, the hot stamping process is faster than the heating of the metal blank 12 in the furnace. Reducing the amount of time that the metal blank 12 spends in the furnace 18 can allow the operations of the furnace 18 and hot stamping press 24 to align, such that a heated metal blank 12 is placed in the hot stamping press 24 immediately after a hot stamped metal component exits the hot stamping press 24. For example, the method can include placing the heated metal blank 12 in the hot stamping press 24 within 20 seconds after the hot stamped metal component exits the hot stamping press 24
[0023] Another advantage of the system 10 and method disclosed herein is that a significant amount of additional floor space is not required, since the induction heater 22 can be attached to the robot 26 which transfers the metal blank 12 from the furnace 18 to the hot stamping press 24.
[0024] Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings and may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described while within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS What is Claimed is:
1. A method for hot stamping a metal blank, wherein the metal blank includes a main portion formed of metal and a patch portion different from the main portion, comprising the steps of: heating the main portion of the metal blank in a furnace; induction heating the patch portion of the metal blank within 20 seconds after the metal blank exists the furnace; and hot stamping the metal blank after the induction heating.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the induction heating occurs while transferring the metal blank from the furnace to a hot stamping press.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of heating the main portion of the metal blank in the furnace includes heating the main portion of the metal blank to a temperature ranging from 900° C to 950° C; the patch portion of the metal blank reaches a temperature ranging from 775° C to 825° C during the step of heating the main portion of the metal blank in the furnace; the step of induction heating the patch portion of the metal blank occurs while the main portion of the metal blank is at a temperature ranging from 900° C to 950° C; and the induction heating step includes heating the patch portion to a temperature ranging from 900° C to 950° C.
4. The method of claim 1 including transferring the metal blank from the furnace to the hot stamping press using an automated transfer device or robot, and wherein the metal blank reaches a die of the hot stamping press within 20 seconds after exiting the furnace.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of heating the main portion of the metal blank in the furnace includes heating the main portion of the metal blank to a temperature ranging from 900° C to 950° C; the patch portion of the metal blank reaches a temperature ranging from 775° C to 825° C during the step of heating the main portion of the metal blank in the furnace; the step of induction heating the patch portion of the metal blank occurs while the main portion of the metal blank is at a temperature ranging from 900° C to 950° C; and further including transferring the blank from the furnace to a hot stamping press using an automated transfer device or robot and hot stamping the metal blank in the hot stamping press; wherein the automated transfer device or robot is connected to an induction heater for conducting the induction heating step while transferring the metal blank from the furnace to the hot stamping press; the induction heater includes an induction coil aligned with the patch portion during the induction heating step; the induction heating step including heating the patch portion to a temperature ranging from 900° C to 950° C; the induction heating occurs for 4 to 8 seconds; the step of transferring the metal blank includes lifting the metal blank from a plurality of rollers at an end of the furnace and placing the metal blank on a die of the hot stamping press; the step of lifting the metal blank from the plurality of rollers at the end of the furnace occurring within 20 seconds after the metal blank exits the furnace; the step of transferring the metal blank from the rollers to the die lasts 4 to 8 seconds; and the die of the hot stamping press has a shape of a pillar or body-in-white component of a vehicle.
6. The method of claim 5 including heating the metal blank in the furnace along with a plurality of other metal blanks, transferring metal blank to the hot stamping press along with the plurality of other metal blanks, and hot stamping the metal blank in the hot stamping press along with the plurality of other metal blanks.
7. The method of claim 5 including placing the heated metal blank on the die of the hot stamping apparatus within 20 seconds after another metal blank is removed from the hot stamping apparatus.
8. A system for hot stamping a metal blank, wherein the metal blank includes a main portion formed of metal and a patch portion different from the main portion, comprising: a furnace for heating the metal blank; an induction heater for heating the patch portion of the metal blank after the main portion of the metal blank is heated in the furnace; and a hot stamping press for stamping the heated metal blank after the induction heating.
9. The system of claim 8 including a transfer device for transferring the metal blank from the furnace to the hot stamping press, wherein the induction heater is attached to the transfer device.
10. The system of claim 8, wherein the main portion of the metal blank is formed of Mn22B5 grade steel.
11. The system of claim 8, wherein the hot stamping press includes a die designed to form the metal blank into the shape of a pillar or body-in-white component of a vehicle.
12. A method for heating metal blank during a hot stamping process, wherein the metal blank includes a main portion formed of metal and a patch portion different from the main portion, comprising the steps of: induction heating the patch portion of the metal blank after heating the main portion of the metal blank and before hot stamping the metal blank.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the induction heating occurs while transferring the metal blank from a furnace to a hot stamping press.
14. A system for heating a metal blank during a hot stamping process, wherein the metal blank includes a main portion formed of metal and a patch portion different from the main portion, comprising: induction heaters for heating the patch portion of the metal blank.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the induction heaters are attached to a transfer device which transfers the metal blank from a furnace to a hot stamping press.
PCT/CA2023/051661 2022-12-14 2023-12-14 Method for heating steel blanks Ceased WO2024124347A1 (en)

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US63/432,433 2022-12-14

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2015110456A1 (en) * 2014-01-23 2015-07-30 Schwartz Gmbh Heat treatment device
WO2019213774A1 (en) * 2018-05-11 2019-11-14 Magna International Inc. Conduction pre-heating of sheet for hot forming
WO2020225749A1 (en) * 2019-05-06 2020-11-12 Magna International Inc. Conductive post-furnace heating of sheet for hot forming
KR20220096878A (en) * 2020-12-31 2022-07-07 주식회사 엠에스 오토텍 Hot stamping method for patchwork blanks

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2015110456A1 (en) * 2014-01-23 2015-07-30 Schwartz Gmbh Heat treatment device
WO2019213774A1 (en) * 2018-05-11 2019-11-14 Magna International Inc. Conduction pre-heating of sheet for hot forming
WO2020225749A1 (en) * 2019-05-06 2020-11-12 Magna International Inc. Conductive post-furnace heating of sheet for hot forming
KR20220096878A (en) * 2020-12-31 2022-07-07 주식회사 엠에스 오토텍 Hot stamping method for patchwork blanks

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