Method of hot stamping metal parts

Abstract

A method of producing a stamped composite part, the method comprising spot welding two or more metal component parts to each other to hold the component parts in a selected position as a composite part, heating the composite part, and stamping the composite part into a desired shape. The invention also contemplates the further step of welding the two or more metal component parts to each other in the composite part.

1 . A method of producing a stamped composite part, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) cutting at least two metal component parts into a desired shape;   b) welding the at least two metal component parts to each other to hold the at least two metal component parts together in a selected position as a composite blank;   c) heating the composite blank for stamping; and   d) stamping the composite blank to form the composite blank into a desired shape, thereby creating a stamped composite part.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising after step d), the step of:
 e) further welding the at least two metal component parts to each other in the composite part.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein step b) comprises the step of spot welding the at least two metal component parts to each other using at least four spot welds. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein step c) comprises the sub-steps of:
 i) placing the composite part in an oven;   ii) heating the composite part in the oven; and   iii) removing the composite part from the oven.