Mondragon Unibertsitatea, Fagor Arrasate, and Batz teamed up to perform trials on hot stamping of an aluminum bumper, by reengineering a die used for hot stamping of boron steels. They simulated and generated new die surfaces (in AutoForm), performed a tryout thermography study to help optimize the surface geometry to increase quenching efficacy, re-machined the die surfaces and adapted all die features, and performed forming trials on a Batz hot-stamping line.

There has been a trend of replacing hydraulic presses with servos for the purpose of increasing production capacity through shorter cycle times, better formability and the ability of holding positions to better form the workpiece. Decreased maintenance compared to hydraulic presses and the reduced energy consumption make servo technology a viable option for hot stamping.

9:15 a.m.
Additive Manufacturing of Hot-Stamping Dies
Andrzej Nycz, R&D Staff, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Manufacturing Demonstration Facility (MDF), Wire-Arc Metal AM Technical Lead

A team of Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers, in collaboration with industry partners Lincoln Electric and DTS, have demonstrated that an additively manufactured hot-stamping die cools 20-percent faster than those produced by conventional manufacturing methods, which can lead to reduced manufacturing costs and production time.

7261 Commerce Blvd #4287, Canton, MI 48187

• Press-hardened steel stamping lines, featuring robotic material handling and automation, with vertically stacked ovens and hydraulic press capacities ranging from 500 to 800 tons.
• Trumpf 8030 series, five-axis laser-cutting cells used to perform secondary operations such as hole/slot cutting and trimming of non-developed trim edges.
• Assembly weld cells, in both flexible and purpose-built configurations. Capabilities include robotic material handling, carried and non-carried resistance welding, robotic gas-meta-arc welding, and automated inspection and traceability.
• Non-weld fastener-application cells robotically applying clinch studs and nut clips.

GNS North America reserves the right to restrict tour access based on competitive concerns.