Laser surface-hardening of dies for cutting, blanking or trimming of uncoated DP600

• In this study, the methods used to harden trim dies were at the focus. Laser surface-hardening was compared to induction- and through-hardening for small and medium-size series production. The sheet materials used were 1.2 mm thick uncoated Docol 600DP and 1.95 mm thick uncoated Docol 600DL The die materials tested were Fermo, Canmo and Sleipner. This investigation showed that the optimum laser-hardening parameters must be established for each trim die material. The trim die in laser-hardened Sleipner exhibits the smallest wear, whilst the trim die in induction-hardened Fermo displays the largest wear in the semi-industrial phase of this study. The magnitude of this largest wear is, however, very small. The trim die in induction-hardened Fermo managed 100 000 strokes without any problem. The dimensional changes after laser hardening are very small. The burr height is very small, regardless of how the trim die is hardened. In this study, two sets of production trim dies were manufactured and set up. This production trim dies are used in the manufacture of V70 B-pillar Left and Right Laser hardening resulted in a lead time reduction by 5 labour days. However, the Tool & Die unit estimates that the lead time reduction obtained with laser hardening should be around 10 days under normal conditions. The cost analysis conducted by the Tool & Die unit shows that the manufacturing costs are reduced by 6%, if laser-hardening is selected. These production trim dies are and will be monitored continuously. As this paper is being written, these dies have been subject to 50 000 strokes.

Ämnesord

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Produktionsteknik, arbetsvetenskap och ergonomi (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Production Engineering, Human Work Science and Ergonomics (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Materialteknik -- Bearbetnings-, yt- och fogningsteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Materials Engineering -- Manufacturing, Surface and Joining Technology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Austenite; Costs; Cutting; Flame hardening; Laser applications; Martensite; Polishing; Quenching; Wear of materials

Heat extraction; Induction hardening; Laser hardening; Trim dies

Dies

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