November 30, 2023
8:00 a.m.
Breakfast and Display Area Open
8:45 a.m.
Die Development and Process Simulation for Hot Stamping
Kidambi Kannan, Engineering Manager, AutoForm Engineering
8:45 a.m.
Die Development and Process Simulation for Hot Stamping
Kannan, engineering manager at AutoForm Engineering, who will discuss recent advances in engineering and simulation technology related to hot stamping, including:
• Part-property tailoring technologies, by controlled cooling of the blank prior to forming and quenching
• Phase-dependent characterization of press-hardenable steels
• Handling of tribology in press hardening
9:30 a.m.
Case Study: Hot Forming High Strength Aluminum at fischer Group
Marc Schweizer, Business Development Manager, fischer Group
Thorsten Junge, Head of Business Development, fischer Hydroforming GmbH
9:30 a.m.
Case Study: Hot Forming High Strength Aluminum at Fischer Group
High-strength 6000- and 7000-series aluminum alloys offer the opportunity for weight reduction in the automotive industry as well as other industries forming aluminum sheet. Until now, the production of automotive body-in-white components from these materials using conventional processes has been possible only to a limited extent. With the recent introduction of aluminum hot forming using the hot-form quench (HFQ) process, fischer group, at its new state-of-the-art production plant in Achern, Germany, has opened up new possibilities in the design and construction of complex, high-strength, lightweight-aluminum components.
The process comprises three main steps: solution annealing of the shaped blank, at approximately 450-550 C; rapid forming and simultaneous quenching of the component in the forming tool; and artificial aging at 180-200 C to achieve the final mechanical properties. Using the process to form 6000-series alloys results in tensile strengths exceeding 390 MPa, and for 7000-series alloys, material strength can exceed 560MPa, while delivering tight tolerances with very high repeatability.
10:15 a.m.
Break and Display Area Open
10:45 a.m.
Applications for Hot Stamping in the New WorldAutoSteel Steel E-Motive Ride-Sharing Vehicle
George Coates, Technical Director, WorldAutoSteel
10:45 a.m.
Applications for Hot Stamping in the New WorldAutoSteel Steel E-Motive Ride-Sharing Vehicle
Just released, the new Steel E-Motive fully autonomous electric-vehicle body structure concept from WorldAutoSteel consists of 33-percent press-hardened steel, achieving an average body-structure tensile strength of 1259 MPa. This presentation will take a deep dive into the most significant applications for hot stamping that contribute to the overall success of this 3-yr. project.
One highlight: Virtual B-pillars integrated into the doors, creating a compact section for optimum passenger visibility and access. Bake-hardenable steel’s Class A-quality surface combined with a scissor door design enables elimination of the bodyside outer for mass and cost savings.
11:30 a.m.
Hot Stamping and Die Development at GNS North America/Holland
Michael Alcala, Vice Chairman Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer
Jason Blust, Vice President of Engineering and Product Development, GNS North America
11:30 a.m.
President and CEO, GNS North America
GNS executives Michael Alcala and Jason Blust will update attendees on the application of hot-stamping technology at GNS North America, recently named a 2022 GM Supplier of the Year, and prepare attendees for what they will witness during their tour of the GNS Holland facility.
12:00 p.m.
Lunch and Display Area Open
1:00 p.m.
Depart for GNS North America
All attendees will take the bus to and from GNS North America.
1:15 p.m.
Tour of GNS North America
Holland, MI
1:15 p.m.
Tour of GNS North America, Holland, MI
GNS North America excels in manufacturing press-hardened steel (hot-stamped) and conventionally stamped parts.
It covers bumper-to-bumper products that include structural parts, roof reinforcements, bumper components, B-pillars and door beams.
Its Holland facility hosts the firm’s North American headquarters, corporate sales offices, manufacturing operations and tooling development. Tour participants will see:
- 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.
The GNS Holland facility also is home to Quincy Tool and Engineering, the GNS North America Operations tool and die-design/engineering and build center.
2:15 p.m.
Depart for Hotel
2:30 p.m.
Q&A with GNS.
After Return to Hotel
3:00 p.m.
Conference Wrap Up and Adjournment