High-strength steel enables automakers to make parts from thinner sheet metal while retaining the necessary yield strength. This results
in a lighter vehicle body, which contributes to improved handling
stability and fuel economy. A strong body is also essential to ensure
crash safety performance, and the application of higher-strength steel
has been widely anticipated.
Until now, cold-stamping of vehicle body structural members has only been possible with 1,180 MPa or lower-classed steel, due to the
material’s formability and the difficulty of ensuring dimensional
accuracy after processing. Working in collaboration with the
above-mentioned companies, however, Mazda has found an appropriate set
of processing conditions that make the process possible with 1,310
MPa-class high-strength steel.
The all-new Mazda3 uses 1,310 MPa-class high-strength steel for the front pillar inner, the roof rail inner, the hinge pillar reinforcement,
the roof rail reinforcement, the No. 2 crossmember and the side sill
inner reinforcement, saving about 3 kilograms over the same parts in the
previous model.
We at Manitowoc Tool and Manufacturing, LLC appreciate the opportunity in working closely with our customers’ engineering team to
ensure we fully understand the application of each part we manufacture.
Through those conversations drive innovative discussion as to how we can
ensure fit form and function – and how from a quality perspective – we
achieve parts to print and application every time.
When parts are produced to print – and often times more importantly – to fit form function of the given application, our customers are
provided seamless parts which are assembled with ease – thus driving
more efficiencies within their walls and driving profitability to
another level!
