A method of tempering a plate workpiece entails first fitting the plate workpiece with a shield between first and second shield parts each having a respective mask element so as to cover only an edge region of the workpiece while leaving a more central region of the workpiece exposed. The shield and workpiece are then put in an oven with the plate workpiece fitted between the first and second shield parts. The shield also comprises first and second seals on the first and second parts confronting each other and each displaceable on the respective part between a closely juxtaposed working position in which inner portions of the seals are spaced apart by a distance equal generally to a thickness of the plate workpiece and outer portions of the seal bear on each other and a starting position spaced more widely from and out of engagement with each other. The seals engage and clamp the workpiece in the working position.

A method of tempering a plate workpiece entails first fitting the plate workpiece with a shield between first and second shield parts each having a respective mask element so as to cover only an edge region of the workpiece while leaving a more central region of the workpiece exposed. The shield and workpiece are then put in an oven with the plate workpiece fitted between the first and second shield parts. The shield also comprises first and second seals on the first and second parts confronting each other and each displaceable on the respective part between a closely juxtaposed working position in which inner portions of the seals are spaced apart by a distance equal generally to a thickness of the plate workpiece and outer portions of the seal bear on each other and a starting position spaced more widely from and out of engagement with each other. The seals engage and clamp the workpiece in the working position.

An apparatus for heating a metal billet such as a billet of non-ferrous metal, includes a frame, a heating container having a longitudinal billet receiving inner space, and at least one heater element configured to heat the heating container. The heating container is divided along parting surfaces into parts. The parts are movable arranged with respect to each other. Each part has a contact surface facing the longitudinal billet receiving inner space. Each part has at least one heater element configured to heat the part.

An apparatus for heating a metal billet such as a billet of non-ferrous metal, includes a frame, a heating container having a longitudinal billet receiving inner space, and at least one heater element configured to heat the heating container. The heating container is divided along parting surfaces into parts. The parts are movable arranged with respect to each other. Each part has a contact surface facing the longitudinal billet receiving inner space. Each part has at least one heater element configured to heat the part.

The present invention relates to a hot stamped component, a precoated steel sheet used for hot stamping, and a hot stamping process. The hot stamped component of the present invention is provided with a coating of aluminium or an aluminium alloy on at least one surface of the base steel, the coating is produced by interdiffusion between the base steel and a precoating of aluminium or aluminium alloy, and the coating has a thickness of 6 to 26 μm.

The present invention relates to a hot stamped component, a precoated steel sheet used for hot stamping, and a hot stamping process. The hot stamped component of the present invention is provided with a coating of aluminium or an aluminium alloy on at least one surface of the base steel, the coating is produced by interdiffusion between the base steel and a precoating of aluminium or aluminium alloy, and the coating has a thickness of 6 to 26 μm.

A metal piece for a motor vehicle has a generally elongated shape according to a longitudinal direction. The piece includes at least one edge extending according to the longitudinal direction, at the intersection of two walls of the piece, and at least one area having a mechanical strength lower than the rest of the body of the piece, wherein the at least one area is formed through local thermal control of the piece. The lower mechanical strength area of the piece undulates along the edge, extending alternatingly along each of the walls forming the edge. A method for making the metal piece is also disclosed.

A metal piece for a motor vehicle has a generally elongated shape according to a longitudinal direction. The piece includes at least one edge extending according to the longitudinal direction, at the intersection of two walls of the piece, and at least one area having a mechanical strength lower than the rest of the body of the piece, wherein the at least one area is formed through local thermal control of the piece. The lower mechanical strength area of the piece undulates along the edge, extending alternatingly along each of the walls forming the edge. A method for making the metal piece is also disclosed.

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.