Hot-forming line and method for producing hot-formed and press-quenched sheet-steel products

A hot-forming line for producing hot-formed and press-quenched sheet-steel products comprising:

• a temperature control station for heating at least one sheet-metal blank;
• a hot-forming and press-quenching tool for hot forming and press quenching the heated sheet-metal blank;
• and
• at least one blank gripper for gripping and transferring the sheet-metal blank before hot forming and press quenching, after hot forming and press quenching or before and after hot forming and press quenching, wherein:
• the at least one blank gripper forms at least one contact region with the sheet-metal blank during the gripping of the sheet-metal blank and the at least one blank gripper is configured to at least one of:
• cool the sheet-metal blank in the at least one contact region in relation to an uncontacted neighboring region adjoining the contact region during gripping and transferring before hot forming and press quenching, and
• heat the sheet-metal blank in the at least one contact region in relation to the uncontacted neighboring region adjoining the contact region during gripping and transferring after hot forming and press quenching, wherein the at least one blank gripper is configured to cool the at least one contact region at a cooling rate of less than 27 K/s before hot forming and press quenching of the sheet-metal blank.

A hot-forming line for producing hot-formed and press-quenched sheet-steel products comprising:

• a temperature control station for heating at least one sheet-metal blank;
• a hot-forming and press-quenching tool for hot forming and press quenching the heated sheet-metal blank;
• a first blank gripper for gripping and transferring the sheet-metal blank before hot forming and press quenching, wherein the first blank gripper is configured to form and cool at least one contact region with the sheet-metal blank in relation to an uncontacted neighboring region adjoining the contact region during the gripping of the sheet-metal blank by the first blank gripper;
• and
• a second blank gripper for gripping and transferring the sheet-metal blank after hot forming and press quenching, wherein the second blank gripper is configured to heat the at least one contact region in relation to the uncontacted neighboring region of the sheet-metal blank adjoining the contact region during the gripping of the sheet-metal blank by the second blank gripper.