• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.339-347
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• 2000

For the successful forming of tailored blank, it is important to control the deformation of the stretch flange mode, which is strong1y dependent upon the location of weld line and blank shape. In order to investigate the effects of tailored blank design factors on the stretch flange forming, we made the model die which can simulate stretch flange mode. Taguchi method was employed to analyze the sensitivity of blank design factors for the forming of tailored blank. From the results of experiment S/N ratios were calculated and using Variance Analysis, significance of parameters and optimal condition of each factors were extracted. Based on these analyses, the weld line height and the strength ratio and the arc center height were selected as effective parameter. The analysed result was practically applied for Side outer panel stamping process.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Technology of Plasticity Conference
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• 2000.10a
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• pp.143-148
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• 2000

This paper describes how to make tailored blanks of front side member that were composed of high strength steel and TRIP(TRansformation Induced Plasticity) steel for weight reduction and improvement of crash load. Tailored blanks made by laser and mash-seam welding were compared with non-tailored blanks made by spot welding. Static compression tests were performed for performance comparison of each sample. Front side members made by tailored blank were superior to those made by spot welding in the initial, but those results were inverse in the last. Average load of tailored blank in six-angle type was better than that of rectangular type.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.200-205
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• 2001

This paper describes how to make tailored blanks of front side member that were composed of high strength steel and TRIP(TRansformation Induced Plasticity) steel for weight reduction and improvement of crash load. Tailored blanks made by laser and mash-seam welding were compared with non-tailored blanks made by spot welding. Static compression tests were performed for performance comparison of each sample. Front side members made by tailored blank were superior to those made by spot welding in the initial, but those results were inverse in the last. Average load of tailored blank in six-angle type was better than that of rectangular type.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 1999

In this study, side panels were developed using the laser-welded tailored blank (T.B.) of both the same thickness and different thickness. At first, the formability of the same thickness T.B. was investigated to compare with one of the non-welded panel with respect to weldline movement and strain distribution in blank during the stamping process. Based on these results, we determined the weld line positions and the die step for T.B. forming of the blanks composed of different thickness combination. Then we made some stamping tryouts with selected types of blanks to investigate the formability of T.B. of the different thickness. During the tryouts, wrinkles were found in the a-pillar lower region which is under the deformation mode of the shrink flange. In the b-pillar region, fractures were also found. These defects have been reduced and corrected by controlling the blank design, the die faces and process parameters.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.193-199
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• 2001

Forming more than two parts of sheet metal in a single stamping operation lowers production costs, reduces weight, and heightens dimensional accuracy. The tailored blank (TB) is a laser-welded or mash-seam-welded sheet metal with different thicknesses, different strengths, or different coatings. Recently, automotive manufacturers have been interested in tailored blanks because of their desire to improve the rigidity, weight reduction, crash durability, and cost savings. Therefore the application to auto-bodies has increased. However, as tailored blanks do not behave like un-welded blanks in press forming operations, stamping engineers no longer rely on conventional forming techniques. Field try-outs are very important manufacturing processes for an economic die-making. In the field try-outs, the rounded geometries of tool and the drawbead shape and size in die face are generally modified when the forming defects can not be removed by the adjustment of forming process parameters. In this study, the field try-outs of tailored door inner panel are introduced and evaluated. The behaviours of laser tailored blank associated with different thickness combinations in the forming process of door inner panel are described focusing on terms of experimental investigations on the formability.

• 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.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Technology of Plasticity Conference
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• 1998.06a
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• pp.102-109
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• 1998

In this study, the side panels were developed using the laser-welded Tailored Blanks (TB) with both the same thickness and the different thickness. At first, the formability of the same thickness T.B was investigated to be compared with one of the non welded panel with respect to weldline movements and strain distribution on blank during the stamping. Based on these results, we selected candidates of T.B with different thickness for stamping experiments. That is, we determined the weld line positions and the die step. Then we made some stamping tryouts with selected types of blank designs to investigate the formability of T.B with different thickness. During the tryouts, the wrinkles were found in the a-pillar lower region which is under the deformation mode of the shrink flange. In the b-pillar region, the fractures were found also, these defects have been reduced and corrected by controlling the blank design and the die faces and process pamameters.

• 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.1 no.1
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• pp.4-10
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• 1998

A basic research for tailored blank welding between mild steel and Zn-coated steel was carried out with $CO_2$ laser beam. The materials used in this work were low carbon steel sheet with a thickness of 1.2mm and Zn-coated steel sheet with the same thickness and 6.3$\mu$m Zn coating. Experiments were carried out by applying the Taguchi method in order to obtain optimized conditions for the application of tailored blank laser welding method in practical manufacturing process. Optical microscopy, XRD, SEM and TEM analysis were performed to observe microstructures and to determine the solidification mode of welded zone. Also mechanical properties were measured by microhardness test tensile test and Erichsen test in order to evaluate the formability of welded specimen. There was no trapped Zn in the fusion zone, and the phases in this region consisted of polygonal ferrite, quasi-polygonal ferrite, banitic ferrite and martensite. The elongation value of welded specimen was more than 80% of that value in the substrate and LDH value was more than 90% of that value in the substrate metal.

• Laser Solutions
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.51-60
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• 1999

In this paper, weldability and formability of Tailored-Blank (TB) and the structural impact testing of bump beam were investigated to apply TB to automobile bumper beam. The optimal $CO_2$ laser welding condition for TB of SPFC and SPRC steel plates with different thicknesses was obtained. Before welding, the cross section of butt joint was prepared only by shearing without milling process. Real type bump beam was produced by two kind of forming processes such as roll-forming and press-forming, and the good formability of TB was obtained. Impact test results of bump by using pendulum and barrier were satisfied the impact regulation of bump. Finally. It may be confirmed that laser welded TB is well-balanced material in both weight reduction and production cost of automobile bump.