Description
The main objective of the project is to develop a new technology (tempered stamping) for more efficient manufacturing which allows the use of High-Strength Steels (AHSS) for the design of complex geometry parts for the automotive sector. The following objectives will be pursued: - To develop components for the automotive sector with better functional characteristics, allowing a more efficient manufacturing process - To optimize the quality of the components (to avoid oxidation of materials, micro-cracks, deformation, etc.). - To provide the market with components with optimized designs and more complex geometries, which will give more freedom to automotive designers - To reduce the weight of components between 10-15% - To reduce the cost by component between 5-10% In case of success, this would be highly beneficial to convince automakers of the benefits of the new technology.
Summary of project results
The scope of this project consists on the investigation of a new steel forming process at temperatures that do not affect to the internal structure phase of the steel. AUTOTECH studied and evaluated both raw materials (AHSS) and the WarmForming manufacturing process (heating and stamping tools) in such way to reach the best processing routine to implement. The solutions mainly focused on complex phase hot rolled steels because they are more common materials for chassis manufacturing (CP800 and CP1000) and the show good mechanical properties at the defined warmforming temperature (600ºC). At the simulation stage solutions seems to be very promising. However, trials on prototypes showed that repetitive warmforming operations could lead to seizing of the tooling which makes the process financially inviable. Then, main conclusion is that warmforming shows great potential because it was possible to obtain improved products, but we found new materials (not available in the market) are needed.
Summary of bilateral results