Method of making a shaped object with regions of different ductility

An apparatus for making shaped parts each having two regions with different ductility and microstructures from semifinished parts, the apparatus comprising:

• a furnace having an outlet and heated to an austenitization temperature;
• conveyor means for continuously conveying a succession of hardenable steel blanks having first and second regions through the furnace in a travel direction such that the blanks reach the outlet each with both of the respective first and second regions heated to an austenitization temperature;
• a holding unit having a chamber heated to an austenitization temperature;
• manipulator means for positioning the blanks with the second regions thereof in the chamber of the holding unit and the first regions outside the chamber;
• cooling means for directing air at the first regions outside the chamber so that, while the second regions are held in the chamber and the first regions are outside the chamber, the second regions are heated and maintained at the austenitization temperature and the first regions are cooled with air to a temperature at which their microstructures become ferritic-pearlitic;
• a hardening press;
• and
• means for transferring the blanks from the holding unit to the press for hardening and shaping the blanks.