3-d printed cooling channels to produce phs parts with tailored properties
AssigneeFord Motor Company
InventorsRAJ SOHMSHETTY, VARINDER SINGH SAINI, CONSTANTIN CHIRIAC
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hot stamping die includes a body having a stamping surface, and cooling channels within the body. The cooling channels are positioned to transfer heat from region(s) of the surface to the channels. The hot stamping die also includes a heating element within the body, separate and apart from the channels. The heating element is positioned to heat region(s) of the body different from the region(s) of the surface at a rate greater than heat transfer from the channels to the region(s) of the surface.
Claims20
A hot stamping die comprising:
- a body having a stamping surface;
- cooling channels within the body positioned to transfer heat from region(s) of the surface to the channels;
- and
- a heating element within the body, separate and apart from the channels, and positioned to heat region(s) of the body different from the region(s) of the surface at a rate greater than heat transfer from the channels to the region(s) of the surface.
A hot stamping die comprising:
- a body having a stamping surface;
- cooling channels within the body configured to remove heat from region(s) of the surface;
- a heating element within the body to heat region(s) of the body different from the surface region(s) at a rate greater than heat transfer from the channels to the surface region(s);
- and
- an insulation barrier within the body configured to minimize heat exchange between the heating element and channels.
A method of stamping a vehicle part comprising:
- forming a die having a stamping surface using printed inserts configured to form cooling channels and a heating element within bulk material of the die such that the channels and elements are configured to vary heat transfer at region(s) of the surface;
- positioning a blank on the surface;
- and
- stamping the blank to produce variable strength zones based on heating and cooling of the surface region(s).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.