Method for producing a sheet metal component

A method for producing a sheet metal component, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a basic structure consisting of a hot formable material, wherein the basic structure is a first starting blank;
• marking an outline on the first starting blank, wherein the outline is a starting element for producing a B-pillar of a motor vehicle;
• cutting out of a patch from a second starting blank;
• applying the patch to the first starting blank within the outline on the first starting blank by preliminarily or definitively fixing the patch to the first starting blank via an integrally bonded connection such that the patch is a reinforcing structure of the B-pillar of the motor vehicle;
• after the patch is applied to the first starting blank within the outline on the first starting blank, the outline on the first starting blank with the patch applied thereto is cut out of the first starting blank to form a semi-finished product;
• cold forming the semi-finished product in a cold forming step by mechanically forming the semi-finished product in a forming tool having an upper tool half and a lower tool half;
• after the cold forming, trimming the semi-finished product;
• after the trimming, heating the semi-finished product in a furnace to an austenitizing temperature of substantially 900° C. before press hardening;
• and
• following the heating, introducing the heated semi-finished product into a press hardening tool having an upper tool half and a lower tool half and press hardening the semi-finished product in the press hardening tool;
• wherein 20MnB8 is used as the hot formable material for the basic structure and the patch.