Method of varying material properties
View Patent ↗A method includes acquiring a first structural component conforming to a design, producing a first vehicle including the first structural component, and transferring possession of the first vehicle with the first structural component having a first set of mechanical properties. The method further includes acquiring a second structural component conforming to the design, subjecting the second structural component to a heat treatment process so that the second structural component is characterized by a second set of mechanical properties different from the first set of mechanical properties, producing a second vehicle including the second structural component, and transferring possession of the second vehicle with the second structural component having the second set of mechanical properties.
1. A method comprising:
acquiring a first structural component conforming to a design;
producing a first vehicle including the first structural component;
transferring possession of the first vehicle with the first structural component having a first set of mechanical properties;
acquiring a second structural component conforming to the design;
subjecting the second structural component to a heat treatment process so that the second structural component is characterized by a second set of mechanical properties different from the first set of mechanical properties;
producing a second vehicle including the second structural component; and
transferring possession of the second vehicle with the second structural component having the second set of mechanical properties.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said subjecting the second structural component to a heat treatment process includes locally heating portions of the second structural component.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein said locally heating portions of the second structural component includes laser heating the portions of the second structural component.
4. The method of claim 2 , further comprising locally heating portions of the first structural component to provide the first structural component with the first set of mechanical properties.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising creating the design.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second structural components comprise high-strength steel.
7. A method comprising:
acquiring a first vehicle frame rail conforming to a design;
producing a first vehicle including the first frame rail;
transferring possession of the first vehicle with the first frame rail having a first set of mechanical properties;
acquiring a second frame rail conforming to the design;
subjecting the second frame rail to a heat treatment process so that the second frame rail is characterized by a second set of mechanical properties different from the first set of mechanical properties;
producing a second vehicle including the second frame rail; and
transferring possession of the second vehicle with the second frame rail having the second set of mechanical properties.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein said subjecting the second frame rail to a heat treatment process includes locally heating portions of the second frame rail.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein said locally heating portions of the second frame rail includes laser heating the portions of the second frame rail.
10. The method of claim 8 , further comprising locally heating portions of the first frame rail to provide the first frame rail with the first set of mechanical properties.
11. The method of claim 7 , further comprising creating the design.
12. The method of claim 7 , wherein the first and second frame rails comprise high-strength steel.