Method of making a hardened motor-vehicle part of complex shape
AssigneeBenteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
InventorsWilhelm Arns, Hans-Jurgen Knaup
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hardened steel part of complex shape is made from a workpiece by first heating the workpiece to an annealing temperature. Then, while the workpiece is still at the annealing temperature, the workpiece is rapidly deformed by a machine into an intermediate shape. The deformed workpiece is then moved from the machine to a press, and, while the workpiece is still at the annealing temperature, it is deformed in the press to the complex shape and then held in the press to harden the workpiece.
Claims8
A method of making a hardened steel part of complex shape from a workpiece, the method comprising the step of sequentially:
- a) heating the workpiece to an annealing temperature;
- b) while the workpiece is still at the annealing temperature, rapidly deforming the workpiece with a machine into an intermediate shape;
- c) moving the deformed workpiece from the machine to a press while maintaining it at the annealing temperature;
- and
- d) while the workpiece is still at the annealing temperature, deforming the workpiece in the press to the complex shape and then holding the workpiece in the press to harden it.
The method defined in claim 5 wherein the workpiece is heated in step b′) by blowing hot gas on it.
The method defined in claim 5 wherein the workpiece is heated in step b′) by radiating heat on it.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.