Partial Joining of Blanks with Electrochemical Support (ECUF)

Abstract

Hybrid materials offer great potential for weight and cost reduction, function integration and improved mechanical properties. A whole range of parts or application areas are conceivable (especially in the field of lightweight design). In terms of implementation, it is possible to produce fully or partially joined semi-finished parts from metallic, organic or inorganic materials. Semi-finished parts of this type can be used in applications ranging from simple reinforcements to complex hollow structures in automobiles. Innovative production processes are necessary for the efficient manufacture of these parts. This is why the current research and development work is focused on making complex, hollow work pieces from hybrid semi-finished materials and on manufacturing methods for the partially joined semi-finished parts. A new and innovative incremental joining process with inline electrochemical treatment is opening up interesting perspectives here. For the manufacture of complex work pieces, the use of adapted sheet-metal-forming processes, like deep drawing or working-media-based high pressure forming, is highly promising and will be addressed in the paper.