Olofström, Sweden - A tailored blank welding facility installed last year at ThyssenKrupp Tailored Blanks Sverige A.B. is now producing, on a two-shift basis, laser welded blanks for use on the new Volvo S80. One of two planned welding lines is now producing blanks to be used for the following: front and rear side members, upper side members, side member cover plates, B-pillar reinforcements, and B-pillar inner panels.
The two fully automatic welding lines are built by Thyssen using a 6.0kW CO2 laser from TRUMPF. They are part of a new service center facility, which is said to cost €21 million. An oscillating shear for blanking is also located in this facility. When it is at full capacity, later this year, the facility will employ 50 people.
ThyssenKrupp Tailored Blanks has been supplying Volvo with blanks for six years from other locations. The local facility will fit into Volvo plans to better control part delivery flow as the output will move directly to the Volvo stamping plant located at the same site. - DAB