Production line performs hot forming of high-strength aluminum

AP&T has introduced a new production line for hot forming of high-strength aluminum (6000 and 7000 series) that enables the weight of car body parts to be reduced up to 50 percent, according to the company. This new manufacturing method could aid the development of lighter, safer, and more energy-efficient cars, the company reports.

The system allows structural parts that previously have been manufactured from sheet steel or cold-formed aluminum to instead be produced from hot-formed, high-strength aluminum. This means material thickness can be reduced and component weight can be lowered by 30 to 50 percent, while the strength of the material and impact safety are improved.

The process technology increases the material’s formability, so that high-strength aluminum can be used for complex-shaped parts, and more functions and properties can be integrated into a single component. The result is that components currently manufactured from several joined parts can be produced in fewer steps.