Method and apparatus for forming varied strength zones of a vehicle component

A die apparatus comprising:

• a first die element defining an upper tool including at least one coolant channel defined therein;
• a plurality of second die elements defining a lower tool, each individual die element having either a low thermal conductivity of less than 10 W/m-k or a high thermal conductivity of greater than 25 W/m-k, and a first set of the plurality of second die elements defining a first pressure zone of up to 5 N/mm2 with the first die element, and a second set of the plurality of second die elements defining a second pressure zone of at least 20 N/mm2 with the first die element;
• a blank positioned on the lower tool, and having at least one first portion corresponding to a soft strength zone of the blank and second die elements having the low thermal conductivity, and at least one second portion corresponding to a hard strength zone of the blank and second die elements having the high thermal conductivity, the soft strength zone having a desired microstructure of pearlite, ferrite, or both, and the hard strength zone having a desired microstructure of martensite;
• a first set of actuators corresponding to the first set corresponding to the at least one first portion of the blank such that the at least one first portion of the blank is positioned in the first pressure zone via the first set;
• a second set of actuators corresponding to the second set corresponding to the at least one second portion of the blank such that the at least one second portion of the blank is positioned in the second pressure zone via the second set;
• and
• a controller programmed, as based on a treatment schedule, to individually and independently activate and operate the first and second actuators via separate pressure commands to contact and compress the blank based on the at least one first portion and at least one second portion being positioned in a respective pressure zone on the first and second sets, and to direct a coolant distributor to deliver coolant to the coolant channel to influence austenitization and pressure applications for microstructure formation,
• wherein each of the first and second die elements selectively correspond to the at least first or second portions of the blank based on the soft strength zone and hard strength zone such that the blank has varied microstructure regions.