• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Laser Processing Conference
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• 1999.05a
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• pp.29-32
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• 1999

The material properties of laser welding zone such as strength coefficient, work-hardening exponent, and plastic anisotropic ratio are analytically obtained from those of base metals based on the tensile tests. . The finite element formulation is developed for predicting strain distributions and weld line movements in the forming processes of laser welded blank. The welding zone(WZ) is modelled with the several, narrow finite elements whose material characteristics are based on the experimental results and the analytical equations. In order to show an application of the developed weld element the stamping process of auto-body door inner panel is simulated. FEM predictions are compared and showed good agreements with experimental observations.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.36-48
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• 1998

In order to analyze the stretch flange forming characteristics of tailored blanks. laser welded blanks of different thickness and strength combinations were prepared and hole expansion tests were done. The stretch flange formability of laser welded blanks was reduced as increasing the deformation restraining force($strength{\times}thickness$) ratio between two welded sheets. Simulation of stretch forming mode deformation and comparson with experimental results showed that the stretch flange formabili-ty was influenced not only by the difference of the deformation restraining forces between two base sheets but also by the difference of the deformation restraining forces between base sheet and weld. Therefore the stretch flange formability was reduced more rapidly than tensile elongation as increas-ing the deformation restraining force ration. It was also found that simulation of stretch flange forming was more accurate when material properties of weld was given.

• Laser Solutions
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.23-29
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• 2002

As automotive manufacturers have taken a growing more interest in tailored sheet metals for improving the rigidity, weight reduction, crash durability, and cost saving application of the tailored sheet metals to automotive bodies has been resently increased greatly. In this study, we investigated the characteristics of fatigue crack initiation behavior of laser welded sheet use for vehicle body panel. We experimented three types of specimens which were machined of the same base metal : one is 1.4㎜ thick, another is 1.6㎜ thick, the others is laser welded of the 1.4mm thick specimen and 1.6㎜ thick specimen. The results indicated that laser welded metal (1.4＋1.6㎜) is the best one for fatigue strength and fatigue life.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Technology of Plasticity Conference
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• 1998.06a
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• pp.95-101
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• 1998

The steel door inner was manufactured via a new route, tailored blanking process, to remove hinge reinforcement parts, using thicker panels laser welded, instead. It is very important, first of all, in this process, to design optimum configuration of tailored blanks and determine the optimum process control for the stamping. Generally, it was found that the severe deformation reduction behavior during stamping in the thinner panel around weld line caused cracks and the other troubles in formability. It is our purpose of this investigation to introduce how the process control parameters, such as tailored blank configuration, size, location in the die, the position of weld line, BHF, bead configuration, work on the formability. In addition, causes of cracks and movement of weld line after forming were analyzed and compared with computer simulation work.

• Laser Solutions
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.42-51
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• 1999

This research was conducted as a fundamental study to apply tailored blank welding technique into automotive production process. The materials used in this study were 2.0mm thickness low carbon steel sheets and 1.2mm Zn-coated low carbon steel sheets. To ensure the reproducibility and to consider various factors, experiments were. conducted by applying Taguchi experimental method with 6 factors. Every welding process was repeated 3 times to offset the effect of uncontrolled factors. Elongation and LDH(Limited Dome Height)were measured to evaluate formability of specimens and Optical microscopy, XRD, SEM, and EDS analysis were performed to observe the microstructures and to determine the solidification mode in the weld. The elongation of specimen welded with optimum condition was 83% of base metal, and LDH was 84% of base metal. In case of laser treated specimen where Zn coating was removed, elongation was 85% of base metal, and LDH was 85% of base metal. In fusion zone, phases were consisted of quasi-polygonal ferrite, banitic ferrite, and martensite.

• Laser Solutions
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.30-37
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• 1999

Laser-welded Tailored Blank is the hottest thing in many automobile companies. But they demand on weld quality, reproducibility, and formability. So it is the great problem of automation of laser welding process. Therefore, it is requested to construct on-line process monitoring system on high accuracy. The light which is emitted from plasma and spatter in laser welding was detected by photo-diodes. It was found that the light intensity depends on welding speed. laser power, and flow rate of assist gas. The relationship between the plasma and spatter and the weld quality can be used for on-line laser weld monitoring systems.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.22-30
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• 2000

The sub-frame of passenger car begins to be used widely for the safety of passengers. Conventional design of the sub-frame comprises 22parts, and it requires quite complicated production processes. In this papers, the sub-frame is designed with TWB(Tailor Welded Blanks) to improve stiffness, to reduce weight and to simplify the manufacturing process. To design the proper structure, structural analysis and crash analysis are executed about the conventional design and TWB applied design. A prototype TWB applied sub-frame is manufactured using mash-seam welded TB(Tailored Blanks). Comparing with the conventional sub-frame, the TWB applied sub-frame has 30% weight reduction and 17% increasement of structural stiffness in average.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Technology Engineers
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.48-55
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• 2000

For the Tailor Welded Blank sheet used for automobile body panel, the characteristics of fatigue strength and crack propagation behavior were studied. The thickness of specimens was joined to be same (0.9mm+0.9mm) and different (0.9mm+2.0mm) .As a base test, mechanical properties around weld zone were examined . The results indicated that there were no significant decreases in mechanical properties , but hardness around weld bead was 2.3 times greater than base material . The fatigue strength was the highest when the loading direction was parallel to the welding direction, which was about 85% of tensile strength of base material. It was decreased by 8.5% when the thickness of specimens and base metal was different, and it was increased by 25% when pres-strain was applied. The crack propagation rate was noticeably decreased around weld line and rapidly increased as it passed through weld line. Reviewing the shape of the crack propagation , crack width around weld line was around the weld zone due to retardation of crack growth , but is became narrow passing weld line due to decreased toughness.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Laser Processing Conference
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• 1998.05a
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• pp.5-7
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• 1998

• Journal of Welding and Joining
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.77-87
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• 1998

This paper deals with the effect of laser welding parameters on the weld formation. Thin steels for automotive application were prepared so as to be welded with high power carbon dioxide laser system. Major process parameters were position of focus and travel speed. The effect of shielding gas was also discussed by employing the high speed photometry. Test results showed that the optimal position of focus varied in accordance with the joint configuration; bead-on-plate, butt or lap welding. It was recommended that the position of focus for the lap welding be located at slightly inner part of the material to be welded. In this case, however, it was noticeable that the weld penetration ratio, d/t$_{0}$ dropped drastically at the critical region. Results also demonstrated that both the bead width and penetration reduced as the travel speed increased. The penetration ratio showed two distinct regions; stabilized zone at the lower range of the travel spped and sudden drop zone at the higher range of travel speed. Lower limit of the penetration for acceptable weld was proved to be about 90% of the parent metal thickness based on the physical properties of the weld. Mixed gas application for both the shielding of molten metal and laser induced plasma control was recommended as far as the penetration was concerned.d.