Patent ID: 7181948
Filing Date: 2007-02-27
Classification: C21D

Abstract:
1. A method of making an elongated structural component having regions of different thicknesses along a length thereof matched to different loads adapted to be applied to said component, the method comprising the steps of sequentially: (a) rolling flexible metal strip so as to form along a length thereof rolled strip segments of different wall thickness; (b) cutting from the flexible rolled strip sheet bars having regions of the different wall thicknesses formed by rolling in step (a) and matched to different loads to be applied to the component; (b′) providing in said strip at thinner segments thereof corrugations compensating for thickness differences in said strip and facilitating stacking thereof; (c) reshaping each sheet bar cut from the rolled strip in step (b) to a final configuration of the respective structural component in at least one forming step in at least one hot-forming tool; and (d) hardening the respective reshaped sheet bar thereof in the respective hot-forming tool.