Finite and Numerical Simulations Applied in Tailor Welded Blank

Abstract

<jats:p>The increase in economic and technological competitiveness means that the automobile industry seeks constant innovation in its production methods and processes, in order to produce lighter, safer and more efficient vehicles. Products with greater mechanical resistance, better conformability, thickness combinations of plates / materials are sought with a focus on reducing mass and increasing the rigidity of the vehicle body. In this scenario, Tailor Welded Blank (TWB), which is a top welding technique (by unconventional processes) of sheets of different specifications (materials, thicknesses and / or coatings), appears as a solution, as it allows localized distribution of mechanical properties, mass, optimizing the relationship between structural rigidity and the total weight of the vehicle body. The great challenge of this technique is to combine two processes with completely different demands, welding and mechanical forming. Due to the complexity of forming TWBs, the use of simulations has been widely adopted. In this review, different results of the numerical simulation methods used for a Tailor Welded Blank are compared, focusing on the details and the influence of the parameters used.</jats:p>

Influence of the Welding Angle on the Mechanical Behavior of Plates obtained by the Tailor Welded Blank (TWB) Process

“…There are many ways to reduce weight in a vehicle, one of which is the Tailor Welded Blank (TWB) technique.TWB consists of the union of two or more metal sheets through the welding process, which makes it possible to join sheets of different materials, thicknesses, mechanic properties and coatings. This technique aims to address the need for greater mechanical resistance in speci c locations and to reduce cost, which allows the nal part to present the necessary characteristics for impact regions or complex geometries [2][3][4][5].…”