Hybrid stamping process incorporating traditional cold stamping with selective thermal forming/flanging/trimming operations

Abstract

A process and assembly for heat treating portions of a steel article, such as an advanced high strength (AHSS) steel. In an initial operation, the invention provides for positioning of heating elements at locations along such as a blank shaped steel article. Following an initial heating, a suitable forming or stamping operation is employed to bend or reform the article with the heated zones defining the bend axles or points within the article. Following the initial heating and bending/stamping operations, the heating elements can be added, such as against outer flange locations of the previously stamped article, following which a subsequent trimming or final fabricating step is employed to complete the article.

1 . A process for heat treating portions of a steel article, comprising the steps:
 providing a blank steel sheet;   positioning at least one heating element at a locations along the blank;   heating the blank; and   forming the heated blank according to any of a press or stamping operation and to exhibit any of a tighter bend radii or higher formability.   
     
     
         2 . The process as described in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of either repositioning the at least one heating element or positioning at least one additional heating element at a further location of the formed blank, not limited along an outer flange locations of the blank, following which a subsequent trimming or final fabricating step is employed to complete the article. 
     
     
         3 . The process as described in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing the blank steel sheet as an advanced high strength (AHSS) steel. 
     
     
         4 . An assembly for forming a blank sheet steel article, comprising:
 at least one heating element placed along an extending location of the blank sheet steel article in order to heat the extending location;   a press or stamping assembly for forming the blank article into a three dimensional article including a base surface and angled flange surfaces;   at least one additional heating element being added or the heating element being relocated to a further location of the formed blank not limited to the angled flange surfaces; and   a trimming assembly being employed to finish fabricate the steel article along the further locations of the formed blank and to exhibit a tighter bend radii.   
     
     
         5 . The assembly as described in  claim 4 , blank sheet steel article further comprising an advanced high strength (AHSS) steel.