A traverse strut for use in a twist beam axle assembly is provided. The traverse strut extends along a length and presents a central section; a pair of end sections; and a pair of intermediate sections between the central section and the respective end sections. At least a portion of the central section has a first wall thickness, at least a portion of each end section has a second wall thickness that is greater than the first wall thickness and at least a portion of each intermediate section has a third wall thickness that is greater than the second wall thickness. Additionally, at least two of the central, intermediate and end sections is work hardened. The transverse strut has improved performance and lower weight as compared to other known transverse struts.

A traverse strut for use in a twist beam axle assembly is provided. The traverse strut extends along a length and presents a central section; a pair of end sections; and a pair of intermediate sections between the central section and the respective end sections. At least a portion of the central section has a first wall thickness, at least a portion of each end section has a second wall thickness that is greater than the first wall thickness and at least a portion of each intermediate section has a third wall thickness that is greater than the second wall thickness. Additionally, at least two of the central, intermediate and end sections is work hardened. The transverse strut has improved performance and lower weight as compared to other known transverse struts.

A producing method of the press formed product includes a preparation step of preparing a metal sheet as a starting material; and a press working step of performing press working on the starting material. The press working step includes: during a time period from when pushing-in of the starting material into the die by the punch is started or immediately thereafter until the pushing-in of the punch with respect to the die reaches a predetermined distance short of a bottom dead point for the pushing-in, holding the pad at a position distant from the punch by the predetermined distance; when the pushing-in of the punch with respect to the die reaches the predetermined distance short of the bottom dead point, receiving the pad in the die; and continuing the pushing-in of the punch with respect to the die and the pad to the bottom dead point.

A producing method of the press formed product includes a preparation step of preparing a metal sheet as a starting material; and a press working step of performing press working on the starting material. The press working step includes: during a time period from when pushing-in of the starting material into the die by the punch is started or immediately thereafter until the pushing-in of the punch with respect to the die reaches a predetermined distance short of a bottom dead point for the pushing-in, holding the pad at a position distant from the punch by the predetermined distance; when the pushing-in of the punch with respect to the die reaches the predetermined distance short of the bottom dead point, receiving the pad in the die; and continuing the pushing-in of the punch with respect to the die and the pad to the bottom dead point.

Methods for manufacturing hot-stamped components are described. The method includes providing a hot-stamped component by hot forming die quenching, and selecting a first and a second portion of the hot-stamped component, wherein the first portion has a different width than the second portion. A laser system, wherein the laser system c includes one or more optical elements and a laser source for generating a laser beam. The laser system is moved along a length of the component. Finally, the laser beam is applied in a single pass onto the selected first and second portions using the laser system, wherein a laser beam spot size is adjusted during the application of the laser beam and is adapted to the widths of the first and second portions, and wherein a power of the laser beam is regulated based on the temperature measured in the hot-stamped component. The disclosure further relates to components obtained using such methods.

Methods for manufacturing hot-stamped components are described. The method includes providing a hot-stamped component by hot forming die quenching, and selecting a first and a second portion of the hot-stamped component, wherein the first portion has a different width than the second portion. A laser system, wherein the laser system c includes one or more optical elements and a laser source for generating a laser beam. The laser system is moved along a length of the component. Finally, the laser beam is applied in a single pass onto the selected first and second portions using the laser system, wherein a laser beam spot size is adjusted during the application of the laser beam and is adapted to the widths of the first and second portions, and wherein a power of the laser beam is regulated based on the temperature measured in the hot-stamped component. The disclosure further relates to components obtained using such methods.

A shelving support member includes a unitary member of a bent sheet material and defining a support portion extending along an axis to a first end and a retention portion disposed at the first end of the support portion. The retention portion defines a base extending congruently with the support portion at least partially along the axis and to a first fold in the member. A reinforcement portion extends from the first fold along and in contact with the base. A first punched area is defined in an aligned manner through both the base and the reinforcement portion of the retention portion.

A shelving support member includes a unitary member of a bent sheet material and defining a support portion extending along an axis to a first end and a retention portion disposed at the first end of the support portion. The retention portion defines a base extending congruently with the support portion at least partially along the axis and to a first fold in the member. A reinforcement portion extends from the first fold along and in contact with the base. A first punched area is defined in an aligned manner through both the base and the reinforcement portion of the retention portion.

Methods for producing a three-dimensional vehicle door frame inner reinforcement element, for producing a vehicle so door frame and for producing a vehicle reinforcement structure A method for producing a three-dimensional vehicle door frame inner reinforcement element (52) comprising an inner center pillar part (66), an inner front pillar part (68) and an inner side rail part (64) joining the inner center pillar part (66) and the inner front pillar part (68). The method comprises: providing an inner center pillar blank, an inner front pillar blank and an inner side rail blank, said inner blanks being substantially planar, assembling the inner center pillar blank and the inner front pillar blank to the inner side rail blank in order to form a substantially planar door frame inner reinforcement blank, hot stamping the door frame inner reinforcement blank to shape the three- dimensional door frame inner reinforcement element (52).

Methods for producing a three-dimensional vehicle door frame inner reinforcement element, for producing a vehicle so door frame and for producing a vehicle reinforcement structure A method for producing a three-dimensional vehicle door frame inner reinforcement element (52) comprising an inner center pillar part (66), an inner front pillar part (68) and an inner side rail part (64) joining the inner center pillar part (66) and the inner front pillar part (68). The method comprises: providing an inner center pillar blank, an inner front pillar blank and an inner side rail blank, said inner blanks being substantially planar, assembling the inner center pillar blank and the inner front pillar blank to the inner side rail blank in order to form a substantially planar door frame inner reinforcement blank, hot stamping the door frame inner reinforcement blank to shape the three- dimensional door frame inner reinforcement element (52).