초록 ▼

An apparatus and method are provided for initially performing a heat treatment process on a closed channel structural member to facilitate the subsequent performance of a magnetic pulse welding process so as to manufacture a vehicle frame component or a portion of a vehicle frame assembly. Initially

An apparatus and method are provided for initially performing a heat treatment process on a closed channel structural member to facilitate the subsequent performance of a magnetic pulse welding process so as to manufacture a vehicle frame component or a portion of a vehicle frame assembly. Initially, a workpiece is provided that is preferably formed from a closed channel structural member having a circular or box-shaped cross sectional shape. The workpiece is subjected to a scanning heat treatment process, wherein the workpiece is heat treated in a continuous and longitudinal manner from one end to the other. Preferably, the workpiece is supported vertically during the scanning heat treatment process to prevent the shape thereof from becoming distorted. The scanning heat treatment process is preferably a retrogression heat treatment process, wherein the workpiece is rapidly heated to a sufficient temperature that provides for full or partial softening thereof, followed by relatively rapid cooling. In a third step of the method, a deforming process is performed on the workpiece during the period of time following the retrogression heat treatment process in which the workpiece retains the full or partial softening characteristics. In a fourth step of the method, a magnetic pulse welding operation is performed to secure two workpieces together so as to manufacture a vehicle frame component or a portion of a vehicle frame assembly. At least one of the two workpieces is subjected to the scanning heat treatment process to facilitate the magnetic pulse welding process.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for permanently joining first and second workpieces together comprising the steps of:(a) providing a first workpiece having an end portion and a second workpiece having an end portion; (b) performing a scanning heat treatment process on the first workpiece in a continuous and longitudina

1. A method for permanently joining first and second workpieces together comprising the steps of:(a) providing a first workpiece having an end portion and a second workpiece having an end portion; (b) performing a scanning heat treatment process on the first workpiece in a continuous and longitudinal manner from one end of the end portion to the other end of the end portion so as to soften the end portion of the first workpiece; (c) disposing the end portion of the first workpiece and the end portion of the second workpiece in an overlapping relationship; and (d) while the end portion of the first workpiece remains softened, performing a magnetic pulse welding operation on the overlapping end portions of the first and second workpieces to permanently join them together.