IMTAB - Improved Tailored Blanking

Purpose and goal

For advanced coated steels, the coating often needs local removal before joining to avoid process instabilities and reach sufficient weld and product quality. For welding of tailored blanks, this reduces productivity and, when less successful, quality (joint properties). The plates in the Tailored blank product manufacturing have very high demands on the cutting edge quality and the accuracy of dimensions. Much is to gain if a more sturdy joining technology could be developed for Tailored blanking, enabling direct joining without initial local removal of surface coating and with higher capability for rough cutting edges. This project aims to do this development, and at the same time also reach improved quality, formability and crash performance. The project contains mechanism studies, evaluation of different approaches with high-speed imaging, evaluation of new laser sources and different laser beam qualities. Demonstrators will also be developed and evaluated.

Results and expected effects

The objective for this project is to develop a new and more robust laser joining welding technology for Tailored blanking, enabling direct joining without initial local removal of surface coating and with higher capability for rougher cutting edges, tolerances and thereby larger parts. This project will also aim for improved quality, formability and crash performance.

Approach and implementation

The project is to be divided into 7 work packages (WP). The WP:s contain mechanism studies, evaluation of different approaches with high-speed imaging, evaluation of new laser sources, hybrid technology, and different laser beam qualities. Prototypes will also be developed and evaluated All work packages will be carried out in close collaboration between the industrial partners and the academy.