Tailored blanks are tailored to the function they are used for, by joining different gauges and different grades of sheet steel to meet the requirements; these requirements vary from part to part - consequently each part needs an individual decision. The main reasons, which have to be considered for the application of tailored blanks are: mass reduction due to the possibility of placing optimum steel thicknesses and grades where needed; elimination of reinforcements with appropriate material gauge selection; simplified logistics due to the reduction of parts; investment cost reduction for dies, presses etc. due to fewer production steps; better corrosion protection by eliminating over-lapping joints; improved structural rigidity due to the smoother stress flow within the tailor welded blank parts and better fatigue and crash behaviour compared to a conventional overlapped spot welded design solution. Taking into consideration these attributes it is not surprising that tailored blanks have been choosen as very promising candidates, which contribute to achieve the goals of the program UltraLight Steel Auto Body (ULSAB) which are: weight saving without compromising safety or structural behaviour and without costpenalty for light-weight design. To give an idea about the dynamic growth of the new product, tailored blanks, just one example: in 1985, one single line - the AUDI-line - was operated by the pioneer of tailored blanks. Today, Thyssen operates 19 lines in Europe and 8 lines in US, which gives a total of 27 lines; but there is a high additional number of lines operated by the competitors for the very dynamic and growing market.
Tailored blanks for ULSAB and a view of tailored blanks application
1998
30 Seiten, 22 Bilder
Conference paper
English
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