AUTOTECH ENGINEERING S.L.

Methods and systems for laser cutting of components are disclosed herein. Examples are specifically suited for laser cutting relatively large components of e.g. a vehicle framework such as a unitary side panel of a vehicle door. Multiple robots may perform laser cutting operations substantially simultaneously.

A vehicle structure comprising a portion extending in a longitudinal direction, wherein the portion comprises a first member extending in the longitudinal direction and a second member extending in the longitudinal direction. The first member is configured to face an inside of a vehicle, and the second member is configured to face an outside of the vehicle. The first and second members are attached to one another to form a closed space between them. The portion comprises a wave-shaped first tubular reinforcement member located in the closed space.

Method of manufacturing a metal structural component (E) for a vehicle, comprising the steps of a) providing a planar blank (B); b) cutting out the blank (B) to create an opening (A) having a first portion (Q) and wherein the first portion (Q) of the opening A) has a second length (lt) in a first transverse direction (T); c) welding a patch (P) to the blank (B) so as to cover the opening (A), the patch (P) being made of the metal having greater ductility than the material of the blank (B); d) stamping the assembly formed by the blank (B) and the patch (P) to obtain the component (E).

The invention relates to a subframe, in particular front axle subframe, for a vehicle, in particular electric vehicle, having a first shell element and a second shell element which is rigidly connected to the first shell element and defines a cavity therewith. At least one of the shell elements has a side wall which, as an outer wall of the subframe, is connected to the other shell element or to another of the shell elements in a materially bonded manner having at least one bushing-like or sleeve-like spacer element for the insertion of a fastening bolt, preferably a screw bolt, for connecting to a body or component. The spacer element is arranged at one of its ends at a through-hole of the first shell element and extending inside the cavity in the direction of a through-hole of the second shell element. In order for the subframe to provide greater stability, in particular improved safety against failure of weld seams at the body connection and/or component connection, e.g. transverse bridge connection, with less or only slightly increased weight, the invention provides that the side wall of the shell element has at least one tab which is welded to the spacer element. This allows at least one additional load path to be implemented in a direction parallel to the longitudinal center axis of the spacer element.

A cold working apparatus for forming a blank includes a first die and a second die. The first die has at least one die cavity and the second die has at least one die protrusion. The cold working apparatus press forms the blank placed between the first and second dies.

A method for a hot press forming apparatus and a hot press forming apparatus ( 102; 202 ) for forming a blank ( 104 ), the hot press forming apparatus ( 102; 202 ) comprising a first die ( 106; 206 ) and a second die ( 108 ), wherein the first die ( 106; 206 ) has at least one die cavity ( 110; 210 ), and the second die ( 108 ) has at least one die protrusion ( 112 ), wherein the hot press forming apparatus ( 102; 202 ) is configured to, by means of the first and second dies ( 106, 108; 206, 108 ), press form the blank ( 104 ) placed between the first and second dies ( 106, 108; 206, 108 ). At least one of the first and second dies ( 106, 108; 206, 108 ) has a draw radius ( 116; 216 ), wherein a member ( 118; 218 ) is attached to a die ( 106; 206 ) which has a draw radius ( 116; 216 ). At least a portion ( 119; 219 ) of the member ( 118; 218 ) is positioned adjacent to or on the draw radius ( 116; 216 ). The member ( 118; 218 ) defines a first press forming surface ( 120; 220 ), and the die ( 106; 206 ) holding the member ( 118; 218 ) defines a second press forming surface ( 122; 222 ) outside the first press forming surface ( 120; 220 ). The member ( 118; 218 ) and the die ( 106; 206 ), which holds the member ( 118; 218 ), are configured such that during the same hot press forming, a first friction arises between the blank ( 104 ) and the first press forming surface ( 120; 220 ) when the blank ( 104 ) is in contact with the member ( 118; 218 ) and a second friction arises between the blank ( 104 ) and the second press forming surface ( 122; 222 ) when the blank ( 104 ) is in contact with the die ( 106; 206 ) which holds the member ( 118; 218 ), the first friction being lower than the second friction.

The present disclosure relates to plugs ( 10 ) for sealing one or more cooling channels ( 25 ) inside a battery box floor ( 20 ) for electric vehicles. The present disclosure also relates to a battery box floor ( 20 ) including one or more cooling channels ( 25 ) sealed with one or more of the plugs ( 10 ) and to a battery box comprising such a battery box floor ( 20 ). The present disclosure further relates to a method ( 100 ) for manufacturing such a battery box floor ( 20 ). An elongated plug ( 10 ) for sealing one or more cooling channels ( 25 ) inside a base plate ( 32 ) for a battery box floor ( 20 ) for an electrical vehicle ( 1 ) comprises an inner piece ( 11 ) configured to be in contact with a coolant and an outer piece ( 12 ) joined to the inner piece ( 11 ) along a longitudinal direction ( 5 ) of the plug ( 10 ). The outer piece ( 12 ) is configured to be attached to a frame ( 30 ) of a battery box. The outer piece ( 12 ) is stiffer than the inner piece ( 11 ).

The present disclosure relates to a rocker assembly ( 10 ) for a vehicle comprising a rocker ( 20 ) and a rocker reinforcement ( 30 ) inside the rocker. The present disclosure further relates to a method ( 100 ) for manufacturing a rocker assembly for a vehicle. A rocker assembly ( 10 ) for a vehicle comprises a rocker ( 20 ) including an outer panel ( 11 ) and an inner panel ( 12 ), and an elongated reinforcement ( 30 ) inside the rocker extending along a longitudinal direction ( 40 ) of the rocker. The reinforcement ( 30 ) is made of a lattice of cells ( 31 ) and comprises a central group of cells ( 33 ) which are substantially hexagonal in cross-section. A cell is formed by a plurality of walls forming a closed cross-section. The central group of cells ( 33 ) comprises a central cell ( 50 ) surrounded by six adjacent cells ( 51 ).

Methods and systems for laser cutting of components are disclosed herein. Examples are specifically suited for laser cutting relatively large components of e.g. a vehicle framework such as a unitary side panel of a vehicle door. Multiple robots may perform laser cutting operations substantially simultaneously.

A forming sheet metal part ( 1 ) for a vehicle frame includes: a first portion ( 2 ) being locally heat-softened after the sheet metal part ( 1 ) has been formed out. The part ( 1 ) further includes a dedicated three-dimensional distortion-absorbing area ( 4 ), defining an internal boundary ( 6 ) within which the first portion ( 2 ) is to be locally heat-softened after the sheet metal part ( 1 ) has been formed out. The distortion-absorbing area ( 4 ) is dimensioned such that once said locally heat-softening step has been performed, the internal boundary ( 6 ) is adjacent to the first portion ( 2 ) and encloses the first portion ( 2 ) to absorb the dimensional distortions induced by the locally heat-softened first portion. The invention further relates to a method for producing a forming sheet metal part ( 1 ).