It is reported that researchers in Germany have developed a new method for making holes in press hardened steel bodywork using electromagnetic pulse technology.
It is claimed the technology, which was previously used primarily to expand or neck aluminium tubes, is faster and creates less burr than other methods. The development included support from engineers at Volkswagen and the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools & Forming Technology in Chemnitz.
Ms Verena Kräusel head of department at the IWU explained a laser cutter takes around 1.4 seconds to cut a hole, whereas the EMPT can do the job in approximately 200 milliseconds. She said that "Our method is up to seven times faster."
The team claims another advantage is that it produces no burr, unwanted material that occurs on the other side of steel when it is pierced. Therefore, the EMPT technique does away with the need for a finishing process. Also, the process does not wear out cutting tools, meaning there is no cost for replacement.
Ms Kräusel said that "The impact pressure on the steel is approximately 3,500 bar, which equates to the weight of three small cars on a single fingernail."