Patchwork Blanks
The solution for local reinforcement
In many areas, the automotive industry uses additional steel plates as reinforcements. They are formed and then welded to the part. A complicated and expensive approach, as we see it.
We give your parts added strength. Attaching additional sheets or ‘patches’ to a basic blank by spot welding or remote laser welding provides additional strength the part exactly where it is needed. The basic blank and patch can then be formed together without difficulty. This eliminates the need to attach additional reinforcements to the subsequent part, reducing costs, weight and workload. Simple, but effective.
Use of a patch is particularly worthwhile when the area of the part to be reinforced is very small. Typical examples are hinge and lock reinforcements. The targeted attachment of a patch provides the required strength matched to future loads.
Good combination: patch on top
Patches can, of course, also be applied to tailored blanks, allowing the cost and weight advantages to be fully utilized. Many of our customers have already recognized the benefits, which is why we are manufacturing many of these variants for production use.
Advantages of ThyssenKrupp Patchwork Blanks
- Fewer parts: the patch eliminates the need to attach additional reinforcements
- Only one forming die: no separate forming of reinforcements necessary
- Cost reduction
- Shorter production time: only one part is fitted
- Extremely good fit (combination of basic blank and patch)
- Less space required in the BIW
- Can be combined with conventional tailored blanks