Sheet Metal Performance: Hot Stamping and Hydroforming Process Contributions for INOVAR Auto Program

摘要

INOVAR-Auto program is a Brazilian government program to encourage innovation and improvement of the productive chain that aims stimulating investments in domestic auto industry providing tax benefits. However, to qualify for the incentive applicants the OEM's must meet several requirements and attend some vehicle performance targets. The body in white is an item that's directly linked to performance in terms of energy efficiency, so it's necessary lighter and stiffer bodies development comparing with the current ones. There is a lot of manufacturing process which may be applied in BIW construction, however some are more competitive considering present Brazilian automotive scenario. Considering this point, this paper will address two important forming processes that will be crucial to mass reduction and stiffness improvement in BIW: hydroforming and hot stamping. These process has a substantial utilization in USA and Europe, although are poorly used and exploited in Brazil. It will be done an exploration about both process, advantages, limitations and contributions to INOVAR-Auto program demands.