Method and system for selectively softening hot stamped parts by induction heating
AssigneeFord Motor Company
InventorsKevin Robert Chauvin, Garret Sankey Huff, Constantin Chiriac, Raj Sohmshetty
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Abstract
A method and system are disclosed for treating a press hardened part by induction heating localized areas of the part to have reduced hardness. The method and system monitor an ambient temperature, cycle time, outgoing part property requirements, and outgoing part hardness in local areas. A time value and temperature value are set by a computer system for a plurality of induction heaters. A local area of the part is induction heated to soften the part in localized areas. The hardness of the localized areas is tested after induction heating.
Claims16
A method of treating a press hardened part comprising:
- monitoring an ambient temperature, system inputs including cycle time and outgoing part property requirements, outgoing part hardness in local areas, and at least one table of material properties;
- setting a time value and temperature value for a plurality of induction heaters;
- induction heating a local area of the part;
- determining outgoing part hardness of the local area of the part after induction heating;
- and
- measuring a material property of the outgoing part and converting the measurement of the material property to a hardness value;
- providing the hardness value to a computer system;
- and
- setting the time value and temperature value for the induction heaters for a subsequent part.
A method of treating a press hardened part comprising:
- monitoring an ambient temperature, system inputs including cycle time and outgoing part property requirements, outgoing part hardness in local areas, and at least one table of material properties;
- setting a time value and temperature value for a plurality of induction heaters;
- induction heating a local area of the part;
- determining outgoing part hardness of the local area of the part after induction heating;
- and
- measuring a material property of a part during induction heating to obtain a real-time in process temperature distribution data;
- and
- providing the real-time in process temperature distribution data to a computer system that controls the time value and temperature value for the induction heaters for a subsequent part.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.