Laser-welded blanks
Advantages
Weight reduction
Laser-welded blanks facilitate the optimisation of component design. Considerable weight reductions can be achieved as a result of the possibilities available for matching differing thicknesses and material combinations to the load requirements made on the component.
The trend towards using high-strength steels in blanks in order to attain additional weight savings is catered for, as voestalpine Europlatinen already supplies laser-welded, high-strength steel blanks as a serial production product.
Optimum forming behaviour
As a result of optimum weld geometry and perfected welded seam characteristics, our blanks permit the production of complex components.
Geometric variety
Depending on requirements, a range of welded blank geometries is available, linear welded seams, patchwork welds, non-linear seams. Future development is moving in the non-linear welded seam direction. This trend has been accommodated by the investment in non-linear welding plants.
Crash behaviour
Laser-welded blanks with optimised thickness and material combinations facilitate targeted energy absorption in crash situations and thus contribute to increased, passive saftety levels in motor vehicles.
Reduced part diversity
Additional advantages derive from a reduction in part diversity and hence a cut in tool, blanking plant and assembly costs. Instead of a large number of differing, individually blanked parts, which require subsequent spot welding, here production involves just one part and thus one tool, which creates major cost savings. The use of laser-welded blanks also rules out overlap joins, which are unavoidable in the case of standard spot welding and are critical with regard to corrosion. This reduces the scope of the sealing measures required.
