Method and apparatus for producing tailored sheet-metal strips

A method for producing tailored sheet-metal strips in a production line, the production line comprising at least one joining station, wherein at least one longitudinal edge of a sheet-metal strip having a substantially planar surface is integrally to at least one longitudinal edge of a further web-shaped semifinished product made of metal, the at least one further web-shaped semifinished product differing from the at least one sheet-metal strip in terms of at least one of its properties, the method comprising:

• feeding the at least one sheet-metal strip and the at least one further web-shaped semifinished product to the at least one joining station;
• joining the at least one longitudinal edge of the sheet-metal strip to the at least one longitudinal edge of the further web-shaped semifinished product;
• and
• machining the further web-shaped semifinished product to have at least one of a three-dimensional structure, a profile, a multiplicity of recesses and a multiplicity of holes in succession along the least one longitudinal edge of the at least one further web-shaped semifinished product, wherein the at least one further web-shaped semifinished product integrally connected to the at least one longitudinal edge of the at least one sheet-metal strip having the substantially planar surface is formed from an extruded hollow profile.