• 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.

• Laser Solutions
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 1999

This study introduces the new concept in the evaluation criteria of the $CO_2$ laser Tailored Blank weldability, The materials used are 0.7mm, 1.5mm thick low carbon automotive galvanized steels. Welding tests were conducted for both similar thickness(0.7mm-0.7mm, 1.5mm-1.5mm) and dissimilar thickness(0.7mm-1.5mm) cases. The criteria developed for optimum welding conditions were based on relationship between results of die press forming test, weld transverse tensile test Erichsen test and weld penetration measurements. Application of the developed criteria(fracture ratio, strength ratio and D/To) in obtaining optimum welding condition revealed that a weld which satisfied any of the criteria did not fracture during actual die press test.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Technology of Plasticity Conference
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• 1998.03a
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• pp.36-39
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• 1998

To predict strain distributions and weld line movements in the forming processes of tailored blank sheets, the 2-dimensional finite element formulation is developed. The welding zone is modelled with the several, narrow finite elements. The material properties of weld elements are calculated from those of base metals, based on the experimental evaluation. To verify the finite element formulation developed, the forming process of an autobody door inner panel section is simulated. FEM predictions are compared and showed good agreements with experimental measurements.

• 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.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.354-363
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• 1998

In order to analyze the stretch forming characteristics of tailored blanks, laser welded blanks of different thickness and strength combinations were prepared and stretching tests were done. The stretching formability of laser welded blanks was reduced as increasing the deformation restraining force ($strength{\times}thickness$) ratio between two welded sheets. Weld line movement was attributed to strain concentration at weaker sheets and resulted in fracture at weaker sid, so that fracture could be predicted by the forming limit of the weak sheet. In the case of a welded blank with the similar deformation restraining force rations between two welded sheets, crack occurred at weld and its forming limit was about 15% less than the base sheet. The effects of lubrication and weld line position on stretch-ing formability were also investigated by experiments. Lower friction did not always give better formability for tailored blanks. Stretching formability was observed to be improved as increasing the area of weak sheet.

• 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 for Technology of Plasticity Conference
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• 1997.03a
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• pp.42-45
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• 1997

Weldline movement of tailored blanks originates from two sources, primary and secondary. Primary movement occurs by geometrical reason, that is, just scratched lines on the no-weld blanks move during drawing to be fitted to geometrical change. Secondary movement is induced by the characteristics of tailored blanks itself. The primary movement was mainly dependent on the weldline location and not affected by the type of material. The secondary movement caused by laser welding and/or small strength difference in this study was not dominant compared with primary movement. The formability of tailored blanks always inferior to those of original blanks. This is due to the existence of hardened weld bead. The closer a weldline is to punch corner where drawing is most active, the worse its formability becomes. This is because the weldline prohibits the drawing process. It was confirmed by measuring diagonal length at the blank corner. The mode of fracture was changed form wall break to draw break when the weldling was close to the punch corner.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Technology of Plasticity Conference
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• 1997.03a
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• pp.55-58
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• 1997

In automotive industries, stamping of laser-welded blank gives many merits which brings about dimensional accuracy, strong body assembly and high productivity. However the welding of blanks with different thickness or/and different strength materials introduces many challenging formability problems for process development and tool design. In this paper, the deformation characteristics for deep drawing process of laser-welded blank with different thickness sheets are investigated by experiment and FEM simulation. And also the optimal location of weld line in laser-welded blank with different thickness sheets is calculated to compensate for the movement of weld line on deep drawing process. In addition, the effect of location of weld line is clarified using FEM simulation.

• Laser Solutions
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.30-38
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• 1998

This study includes the efface of shielding gas types on $CO_2$ laser weldability of low carbon automotive galvanized steel. The types of shielding gas evaluated are He, $CO_2$, Ar, $N_2$, 50%Ar＋50%$N_2$. The weld penetration, strength, formability(Erichsen test) of Laser weld are found to be strongly dependent upon the types of shielding gas used. Further, the maximum travel speed and flow rate to form a keyhole weld is also dependent upon types of shielding gas. The ability of shielding gas in removing plasma plume and thus increasing weld penetration is believed to be closely related with ionization/dissociation potential, which determine the period of plasma formation and disappearance. Further, thermal conductivity and reactivity of gas with molten pool also give strong effect on penetration and porosity formation which in turn affect on the formability and strength.

• 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.