METHOD AND DEVICE FOR THE HEAT TREATMENT OF A STEEL COMPONENT

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and to a device for heat treating a metal component (1). Said method consists of at least the following steps: a) heating the component (1), b) setting a temperature difference between at least one first sub-region (2) and at least one second sub-region (3) of the component (1), c) at least partially shaping and / or cooling the component (1) in a press-hardening tool (4), d) mechanical post-machining the at least one first sub-region (2) of the component (1).

Description

Method and apparatus for the heat treatment of a metallic component The invention relates to a method and a device for the heat treatment of a metallic component. The invention is particularly applicable to the partial hardening of optionally pre-coated components, preferably made of a high-strength manganese-boron steel. To manufacture safety-relevant vehicle body components from sheet steel, it is regularly necessary to harden the sheet steel during or after forming it into the body component. A heat treatment process known as "press hardening" has become established for this purpose. In this process, the sheet steel, which is usually supplied in the form of a blank, is first heated in an oven and then cooled and hardened during forming in a press. Heating and press hardening regularly result in a (albeit slight) geometric change in the component compared to its unheated state. This typically necessitates trimming the steel sheet to the desired final contour after press hardening. Subsequent trimming can generally only be omitted if the tolerance specification for the component being manufactured is such that this change remains within acceptable tolerances. However, in typical press hardening applications, the permissible tolerances are often tighter. Furthermore, it must be considered that the steel sheets typically exhibit a tensile strength of more than 1000 MPa (megapascals) after press hardening. Therefore, the hardened components can only be cut using special processes. One generally applicable method is so-called hard cutting. However, this requires tools capable of cutting steel with Hard cutting can cut through materials with a tensile strength exceeding 1000 MPa. However, hard cutting lengthens the production chain, and the necessary tools involve high investment costs, are subject to significant wear, and require intensive maintenance. Therefore, hard cutting has not proven practical in industrial mass production. Laser cutting is a common method in industrial mass production. In this process, hardened components are cut to the desired final contour using at least one laser beam. However, laser cutting has the disadvantage of regularly resulting in long cycle times, high energy costs, and high investment costs. Based on this, the object of the present invention is to at least partially solve the problems described with reference to the prior art. In particular, a method and a device for the heat treatment of a metallic component are to be provided, which enable the production of a press-hardened component with the most precise contours possible in industrial series production. Furthermore, the method and the device should be as energy-efficient and / or as cost-effective to implement and manufacture as possible. In addition, the method and the device should, in particular, allow for the shortest possible cycle time. These problems are solved by the features of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments of the solution proposed here are specified in the dependent claims. It should be noted that the features listed individually in the dependent claims can be combined with one another in any technologically meaningful way and define further embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, the features specified in the claims are further detailed and explained in the description, and further preferred embodiments of the invention are presented. A method according to the invention for the heat treatment of a metallic component comprises at least the following steps: a) Heating the component, b) Setting a temperature difference between at least a first sub-area and at least a second sub-area of ​​the component, c) at least partially forming and / or cooling the component in a press hardening tool, d) Mechanical post-processing of at least one initial sub-area of ​​the component. The indicated sequence of process steps a), b), c), and d) results from a regular execution of the process. One or more of the process steps can be carried out simultaneously, sequentially, and / or at least partially in parallel. Preferably, the process is carried out using a device as presented here. The proposed process is particularly suitable for producing a press-hardened component with the most precise contours possible. The proposed method allows, to a particularly advantageous extent, the production of a press-hardened component with highly precise contours in industrial series production. This is made possible in particular by subjecting the component to partially differentiated heat treatment before post-processing, such that an area of ​​the component requiring post-processing has a lower strength than at least one other area of ​​the component. This offers the advantage that the post-processing, Particularly without high tool wear, the process can be carried out mechanically, thus eliminating the need for energy- and investment-intensive laser cutting. Mechanical post-processing can be performed relatively quickly, allowing the process to achieve a particularly short cycle time. The metallic component is preferably a metallic circuit board, a steel sheet, or a semi-finished product that is at least partially pre-formed. The metallic component is preferably made of a (hardenable) steel, for example, a boron-(manganese) steel, e.g., designated 22MnB5. More preferably, the metallic component is provided or pre-coated with a (metallic) coating, at least to a large extent. The metallic coating can be, for example, a coating containing (primarily) zinc or a coating containing (primarily) aluminum and / or silicon, in particular a so-called aluminum / silicon (Al / Si) coating. In step a), the (entire) component is heated, in particular in a first furnace. Preferably, the component is heated homogeneously, uniformly, and / or evenly in the first furnace. More preferably, the component is heated (exclusively) in the first furnace by means of radiant heat, for example, from at least one electrically operated heating element (not in physical and / or electrical contact with the component), such as a heating loop and / or a heating wire, and / or from at least one (gas-heated) radiant tube. According to an advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that in step a) the component is heated by at least 500 K [Kelvin], preferably by at least 700 K or even by at least 800 K using radiant heat and / or convection. The component is heated. Preferably, in step a), this is done without contact, in particular without thermally conductive and / or electrical contact with an electrically operated heating element. Preferably, the component is heated in step a) to a temperature below the AC3 temperature or even below the AC1 temperature. The AC1 temperature is the temperature at which the microstructure transformation from ferrite to austenite begins when a metallic component, especially a steel component, is heated. The AC3 temperature is the temperature at which the microstructure transformation from ferrite to austenite ends or is (completely) completed when a metallic component, especially a steel component, is heated. Alternatively, the component can be heated in step a) to a temperature above the AC3 temperature. Preferably, the component is moved into a temperature control station after step a) and before step b).For this purpose, a transport device, for example comprising at least a roller table and / or an (industrial) robot, may be provided. The component is preferably moved from a first furnace to a temperature control station. In particular, the component travels a distance of at least 0.5 m [meter] from the first furnace to the temperature control station. The component may be moved in contact with ambient air or within a controlled atmosphere. According to an advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the temperature difference in step b) is set by cooling the at least one first sub-area and / or heating the at least one second sub-area. Preferably, in step b), partial, active, conductive and / or convective cooling of the at least one first sub-area of ​​the component is carried out, particularly in a temperature control station. After cooling, the The component is set to partially different (component) temperatures, with a temperature difference being set between a first temperature of at least one first sub-area and a second temperature of at least one second sub-area of ​​the component. Furthermore, in step b), several (different) temperature differences between sub-areas of the component can be set. For example, it is possible to set three or more sub-areas in the component, each with a different temperature. Preferably, the temperature difference is set in step b) such that a (first) temperature of the at least one first sub-area of ​​the component is lower than a (second) temperature of the at least one second sub-area of ​​the same component.Furthermore, in step b), a temperature difference of at least 50 K, preferably at least 100 K or even at least 150 K is preferably established between the at least one first sub-section and at least one second sub-section of the component. The first sub-section is typically a more ductile sub-section in the finished component or a sub-section that has a lower strength (compared to the second sub-section). The second sub-section is typically a harder sub-section in the finished component or a sub-section that has a higher strength (compared to the first sub-section). If (active) cooling of the at least one first sub-section is provided in step b), this is preferably done convectively, and particularly preferably by means of at least one nozzle that discharges a fluid.For this purpose, the nozzle can be positioned in the temperature control station and directed towards the first section. The fluid can be, for example, air, nitrogen, water, or something else. This mixture is preferably used. Cooling is preferably carried out by means of a nozzle array with several nozzles, each dispensing a fluid, wherein the shape of the nozzle array and / or the arrangement of the several nozzles is particularly preferably adapted to the (to be achieved) geometry of the at least one first sub-area of ​​the component. Preferably, the at least one first sub-section in step b) cools to a temperature below the AC1 temperature. Particularly preferably, the at least one first sub-section in step b) is (actively) cooled to a temperature below the AC1 temperature. More preferably, the at least one first sub-section in step b) is cooled to a temperature below 550°C (823.15 K), particularly preferably below 500°C (773.15 K), or even below 450°C (723.15 K). In particular, as an alternative or in addition to (active) cooling of the at least one first sub-section, the temperature difference between the at least one first sub-section and the at least one second sub-section of the component can (also) be adjusted by at least partially thermally insulating, separating, demarcating, and / or sealing off the at least one first sub-section.Preferably, the at least one first sub-area (here), in particular by means of at least one cover, panel and / or partition, is thermally insulated, separated, demarcated and / or sealed off from the at least one second sub-area and / or from a heat source, such as an (electric) heating element. Particularly if the at least one first sub-area of ​​the component is not actively cooled, it is especially preferred that in step b) at least one third sub-area of ​​the component is actively cooled, for example convectively and / or conductively, and / or that thermal energy is (actively) introduced into the at least one second sub-area of ​​the component. In this way, a (still) lower temperature can be achieved in the third sub-area. Strength is adjusted in the first sub-area. Preferably, in step b), at least a third sub-area of ​​the component is cooled by at least 50 K, more preferably by at least 100 K or even by at least 150 K. Preferably, in step b), particularly in a temperature control station and / or simultaneously or at least partially in parallel with (active) cooling or passive cooling or allowing to cool of the at least one first sub-area of ​​the component, heat energy is introduced into the at least one second sub-area of ​​the component.Preferably, the at least one second sub-area of ​​the component is exposed (exclusively) to thermal radiation during step b) and / or in the temperature control station, which is generated and / or emitted, for example, by at least one electrically operated or heated heating element (not contacting the component), such as a heating loop and / or a heating wire, and / or by at least one (gas-heated) radiant tube, particularly arranged in the temperature control station. The introduction of thermal energy into the at least one second sub-section of the component can be carried out in such a way that the temperature decrease of the at least one second sub-section and / or the cooling rate of the at least one second sub-section during step b) and / or while the component remains in the temperature control station is at least reduced. This procedure is particularly advantageous if the component was heated to a temperature above the AC3 temperature in step a). Alternatively, the introduction of thermal energy into the at least one second sub-section of the component in the temperature control station can be carried out in such a way that the at least one second sub-section of the component is (significantly) heated, in particular by at least approximately 50 K. This procedure is This is particularly advantageous if the component was heated in step a) to a temperature below the AC3 temperature or even below the AC1 temperature. Preferably, the component is moved into a second furnace after step b) and before step c). It is especially preferred that the component is moved from the temperature control station to a second furnace. For this purpose, a transport device, for example, comprising at least a roller table and / or an (industrial) robot, may be provided. Preferably, the component travels a distance of at least 0.5 m from the temperature control station to the second furnace. During this process, the component may be in contact with ambient air or within a protective atmosphere. Preferably, the component is transferred directly into the second furnace immediately after being removed from the temperature control station. Preferably, after step b) and before step c), at least one first sub-section of the component is heated, particularly in a second furnace, preferably by at least 50 K, more preferably by at least 100 K or even by at least 150 K. Alternatively or additionally, after step b) and before step c), at least one third sub-section of the component can be heated, particularly in a second furnace, preferably by at least 100 K, more preferably by at least 150 K or even by at least 200 K. If the heating of the at least one third sub-section is carried out in addition to the heating of the at least one first sub-section, these heating processes can be carried out simultaneously or at least partially in parallel. Particularly preferred is at least one first sub-section or at least one third sub-section of the component in the second furnace (exclusively). The component is heated by means of radiant heat, for example, from at least one electrically operated heating element (not in contact with the component), such as a heating loop and / or a heating wire, and / or from at least one (gas-heated) radiant tube. More preferably, and in particular simultaneously or at least partially in parallel with the heating of the at least one first sub-section and / or the at least one third sub-section, at least one second sub-section of the component is heated in the second furnace by at least 50 K, particularly preferably by at least 70 K or even by at least 100 K, particularly (exclusively) by means of radiant heat. It is particularly preferred that the at least one second sub-section of the component is heated in the second furnace to a temperature above the AC1 temperature or even above the AC3 temperature.Alternatively, in particular simultaneously or at least partially in parallel with the heating of the at least one first sub-area and / or the at least one third sub-area, a decrease in the temperature of the at least one second sub-area and / or a cooling rate of the at least one second sub-area is at least reduced during the time the component remains in the second oven. In other words, after step b) and before step c), heat energy, particularly by means of radiant heat, can be introduced into the entire component. For example, a second furnace can be provided for this purpose, which can have an interior heated (exclusively) by radiant heat, in which a (nearly) uniform internal temperature can preferably be set. The introduction of heat energy into the at least one first section of the component in the second furnace preferably occurs in such a way that the temperature of the at least one first section is increased by at least 50 K, preferably by at least 100 K, particularly preferably by at least 150 K or even by at least 200 K. If at least one third section is present, the introduction of Heat energy is transferred to the at least one third sub-area of ​​the component in the second oven preferably in such a way that the temperature of the at least one third sub-area is increased by at least 100 K, preferably by at least 120 K, particularly preferably by at least 150 K or even by at least 200 K. The introduction of heat energy into the at least one second sub-section of the component in the second furnace can preferably be carried out in such a way that the temperature decrease of the at least one second sub-section and / or the cooling rate of the at least one second sub-section during the component's stay in the second furnace is at least reduced. This method is particularly advantageous if the component was heated to a temperature above the AC3 temperature in step a). Alternatively, the introduction of heat energy into the at least one second sub-section of the component in the second furnace can be carried out in such a way that the at least one second sub-section of the component is heated at least (significantly), in particular by at least 50 K, more preferably by at least 70 K or even by at least 100 K; and / or heated to a temperature above the AC1 temperature or even above the AC3 temperature.This procedure is particularly advantageous if the component in step a) was heated to a temperature below the AC3 temperature or even below the AC1 temperature. If a second furnace is provided, the component is preferably moved from the second furnace to the press hardening tool before step c). Preferably, this movement from the second furnace to the press hardening tool is carried out by means of a transport device, for example, comprising at least a roller table and / or a handling device, in particular an (industrial) Robot. Preferably, the component travels a distance of at least 0.5 m from the second furnace to the press hardening tool. During this process, the component can be in contact with ambient air or within a protective atmosphere. Preferably, the component is transferred directly into the press hardening tool immediately after being removed from the second furnace. In step d), purely mechanical post-processing, in particular trimming, of the at least one first sub-section of the component is carried out. Preferably, the mechanical post-processing includes at least separating, cutting, sawing, milling, and / or planing. Particularly preferably, mechanical cutting in and / or on the at least one first sub-section of the component is carried out in step d). Further preferably, mechanical trimming of the component in the area of ​​the at least one first sub-section is carried out in step d). Preferably, the mechanical post-processing includes punching of the at least one first sub-section of the component. Particularly preferably, the post-processing, in particular trimming or punching, is carried out such that a large part, in particular at least 70% or even at least 85%, of the first sub-section of the component is removed and / or separated from the (remaining) component.Furthermore, preferably in step d) a chipless and / or adiabatic separation is carried out, in particular of at least a large part, especially at least 70% or even at least 85%, of the first sub-section of the component (of the (remaining) component). Adiabatic separation can be understood here in particular as a high-speed plastic deformation in the separation zone, which leads in particular to significant heating and thus dissolution or softening of the microstructure. Due to the preferably high speed of the separation process, (virtually) no heat transfer takes place in the material boundary zone (the separation zone). In an advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the mechanical post-processing in step d) be carried out with at least one mechanical cutting tool. Preferably, the mechanical cutting tool has at least two separating elements and / or cutting elements, such as cutting edges or blades, that can be moved (relatively) towards and / or away from each other. More preferably, the cutting tool is a manually operated and / or automatic steel shear. Particularly preferably, the cutting tool is electrically, pneumatically, and / or hydraulically driven. In an advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the component be held in the press hardening tool during mechanical finishing. Preferably, the mechanical finishing is performed while the component is held, clamped, clamped, and / or pressed in the press hardening tool. Preferably, the mechanical finishing is performed immediately after the forming and / or cooling (performed by the press hardening tool). In particular, the mechanical finishing is performed in the press hardening tool. In a further advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the at least one first sub-region of the component forms a flange region and / or a recess region. Preferably, at least one first sub-region forms a joining flange of the component. More preferably, the at least one first sub-region forms an edge region of the component. Particularly preferably, the edge region surrounds the entire component. Preferably, the at least one first sub-area forms at least a strip running at least partially along an (outer) contour of the component or along an (outer) component edge. The strip can extend (starting from the (outer) component edge or from the (outer) contour) at least 0.005 m [meters], preferably at least 0.01 m or even at least 0.1 m and / or up to 0.3 m, preferably up to 0.2 m or even up to 0.1 m towards a center of the component. The strip can extend transversely to its direction of extension along the (outer) The contour or the (outer) edge of the component has a (homogeneous or inhomogeneous) strip width of preferably 0.05 m to 0.15 m, particularly preferably approximately 0.1 m. Preferably, the strip is formed along the entire (outer) contour of the component or along the entire (outer) edge of the component. This allows the component to be manufactured with a more ductile edge, which facilitates easier trimming of the (outer) contour of the component. Furthermore, a device for the heat treatment of a metallic component is proposed, which at least comprises: a heated first oven, at least one temperature control station designed and equipped to set a temperature difference between at least a first sub-area and at least a second sub-area of ​​the component, at least one press hardening tool at least one mechanical post-processing device assigned to the press hardening tool. Preferably, the first oven can be heated by radiant heat and / or convection. Preferably, the device further comprises a second, heatable oven, which can be heated in particular by radiant heat and / or convection. The second oven is particularly preferably part of the tempering station. Subordinate. Furthermore, it is preferred that the second furnace is provided and equipped to heat at least the first sub-area or the third sub-area of ​​the component by at least 50 K, preferably by at least 100 K, particularly preferably by at least 150 K or even by at least 200 K. In a further advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that at least the first or the second furnace be a continuous furnace or a chamber furnace. Preferably, the first furnace is a continuous furnace, in particular a roller hearth furnace. Particularly preferably, the second furnace is a continuous furnace, in particular a roller hearth furnace, or a chamber furnace, in particular a multi-layer chamber furnace with at least two chambers arranged one above the other. Preferably, the second furnace has an interior chamber, which can be heated, in particular (exclusively), by means of radiant heat, and in which a (nearly) uniform internal temperature can preferably be set. Particularly if the second furnace is designed as a multi-layer chamber furnace, several such interior chambers can be present, corresponding to the number of chambers. Preferably, radiant heat sources are arranged in the first furnace and / or in the second furnace (exclusively). Particularly preferably, at least one electrically operated heating element (not in contact with the component), such as at least one electrically operated heating loop and / or at least one electrically operated heating wire, is arranged in an interior compartment of the first furnace and / or in an interior compartment of the second furnace. Alternatively or additionally, at least one radiant tube, particularly gas-heated, can be arranged in the interior compartment of the first furnace and / or the interior compartment of the second furnace. Preferably, the interior compartment of the first furnace contains a radiant tube that is heated by a gas-fired radiant tube. Several radiant tube gas burners or radiant tubes are arranged in the furnace and / or the interior of the second furnace, with at least one gas burner firing into each tube. It is particularly advantageous if the inner area of ​​the steel tubes into which the gas burners fire is atmospherically separated from the furnace interior, so that no combustion gases or exhaust gases can enter the furnace interior and thus influence the furnace atmosphere. Such an arrangement is also referred to as "indirect gas heating." Preferably, the temperature control station is located downstream of the first furnace. At least one nozzle can be arranged or held in the temperature control station, which is designed and configured to discharge a fluid. Preferably, the at least one nozzle is designed and configured to discharge a fluid for cooling the at least one first sub-section and / or at least one third sub-section of the component.This makes it particularly advantageous to adjust the temperature difference between the at least one first sub-section or the at least one third sub-section and at least one second sub-section of the component. Preferably, the at least one nozzle is oriented such that it can discharge the fluid towards the first sub-section and / or a third sub-section of the component. Furthermore, a nozzle array with several nozzles is preferably arranged in the temperature control station, with each nozzle being designed and configured to discharge a specific fluid. A shape of the nozzle array and / or an arrangement of the multiple nozzles is particularly preferred, adapted to the (desired) geometry of the at least one first sub-section and / or the at least one third sub-section of the component. Preferably, at least one heating device is arranged in the temperature control station. Preferably, the heating device is designed to and The heating device is configured to introduce heat energy into at least one second sub-section of the component. Preferably, the heating device is arranged and / or oriented in the temperature control station such that the introduction of heat energy into the at least one second sub-section of the component can be carried out simultaneously or at least partially in parallel with the cooling of the at least one first sub-section and / or at least one third sub-section of the component by means of the at least one nozzle. Preferably, the heating device comprises (exclusively) at least one radiant heat source. Particularly preferably, the at least one radiant heat source is formed with at least one electrically operated heating element (which does not (mechanically and / or electrically) contact the component), such as at least one electrically operated heating loop and / or at least one electrically operated heating wire.Alternatively or additionally, at least one gas-heated radiant tube can be provided as a source of radiant heat. Preferably, the press hardening tool is arranged downstream of a second furnace. The press hardening tool is specifically designed and configured to simultaneously or at least partially deform and (at least partially) cool the component, particularly by quenching it. The at least one mechanical post-processing device is associated with the press hardening tool. Preferably, the post-processing device can be arranged, or is arranged, in the area of ​​the press hardening tool. Particularly preferably, the post-processing device can be aligned, or is aligned, towards the press hardening tool. Furthermore preferably, the post-processing device is connected to the press hardening tool, in particular electronically, mechanically, pneumatically, hydraulically, and / or via a signal system, such that the post-processing device interacts with the press hardening tool. The post-processing device can be a separate unit (from the press hardening tool) or at least partially integrated into and / or rigidly connected to the press hardening tool. The post-processing device can, for example, comprise a post-processing tool, in particular a separating tool, punching tool, and / or cutting tool, which is preferably integrally formed or integrated into the press hardening tool, especially an upper and / or lower shell, or which is rigidly connected to the press hardening tool. Thus, a first part of a post-processing tool, in particular a first cutting edge, can be connected to an upper shell of the press hardening tool, and / or a second part of a post-processing tool, in particular a second cutting edge, can be connected (directly and / or rigidly) to a lower shell of the press hardening tool.According to an advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the at least one mechanical post-processing device comprises at least one mechanical cutting tool. Preferably, the device serves to carry out a method proposed herein. According to an advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the device is designed and configured to carry out a method proposed herein. The details, features, and advantageous embodiments discussed in connection with the method may also occur in the device presented here, and vice versa. In this respect, full reference is made to the explanations given therein for a more detailed characterization of the features. In a further aspect, the use of a mechanical post-processing device for the (mechanical) trimming of a metallic component held in a press hardening tool is proposed, wherein the component has at least a first sub-area with lower strength properties and at least a second sub-area with (in comparison) higher strength properties, and wherein the trimming takes place (only) in and / or on the at least one first sub-area. The details, features, and advantageous embodiments discussed in connection with the method and / or the device can also occur in the application presented here, and vice versa. In this respect, full reference is made to the explanations given there for a more detailed characterization of the features. The invention and its technical context are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. It should be noted that the invention is not intended to be limited by the embodiments shown. In particular, unless explicitly stated otherwise, it is also possible to extract aspects of the situations illustrated in the figures and combine them with other components and / or findings from other figures and / or the present description. The figures schematically illustrate: Fig. 1: a diagram of a device for the heat treatment of a metallic component, and Fig. 2: a top view of a metallic component. Fig. 1 schematically shows a diagram of a device 8 for the heat treatment of a metallic component 1. The device 8 comprises a first furnace 9, a tempering station 10, and a press hardening tool 4. By way of example, a second furnace 12 is provided between the tempering station 10 and the press hardening tool 4. The device 8 here represents a hot forming line for press hardening. The tempering station 10 is directly downstream of the first furnace 9, so that a component 1 to be treated by the device 8 can be transferred directly into the tempering station 10 after leaving the first furnace 9. Furthermore, the second furnace 12 is directly downstream of the tempering station 10, and the press hardening tool 4 is directly downstream of the second furnace 12. Furthermore, the device shown in Fig. 1 includes a mechanical post-processing unit 11, which is associated with the press hardening tool 4. The mechanical post-processing unit 11 has a cutting tool 5 with which the metallic component 1 can be at least partially trimmed. Fig. 2 schematically shows a top view of a metallic component 1 with two first sections 2 and two second sections 3. The component also includes, by way of example, a third section 13. The component 1 is shown here in a state after press hardening. In the second sections 3, the component 1 is (fully martensitic) hardened. Thus, the component 1 exhibits high strength in the second sections 3. In contrast, the component 1 exhibits lower strength in the first sections. However, the component 1 exhibits its lowest strength in the third section 13. The third section 13 can, for example, serve to absorb impact energy acting on the component 1. According to the illustration in Fig. 2, one of the first sub-areas 2 of the component 1 forms a flange area 6 and another of the first sub-areas 2 forms a Area for a recess 7. Since the first sections 2 have reduced strength compared to the (fully martensitic) hardened second sections 3, the flange area 6 and the area for the recess 7 can be easily machined. In Fig. 2, the flange area 6 has not yet been machined. However, the area for the recess 7 has already been machined, so that the recess 7 is visible in Fig. 2. A method and a device for the heat treatment of a metallic component are described, which at least partially solve the problems outlined with reference to the prior art. In particular, the method and the device enable the production of a press-hardened component with highly precise contours in industrial series production. Furthermore, the method and the device can be implemented and operated with minimal energy consumption and / or with minimal investment costs. In addition, the method and the device allow for the shortest possible cycle time. Reference symbol list 1 component 2 first sub-area 3 second sub-area 4 Press hardening tool 5 cutting tool 6 Flange area 7 recess 8 Device 9 first oven 10 temperature control stations 11 Post-processing equipment 12 second oven 13 third sub-area

Claims

Claims 1. Method for the heat treatment of a metallic component (1) comprising at least the following steps: a) Heating the component (1), b) Setting a temperature difference between at least a first sub-area (2) and at least a second sub-area (3) of the component (1), c) at least partially forming and / or cooling the component (1) in a press hardening tool (4), d) Mechanical post-processing of at least one first partial area (2) of the component (1).

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the component is heated by at least 500 K in step a) by means of radiant heat and / or convection.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the temperature difference in step b) is set by cooling the at least one first sub-area (2) and / or heating the at least one second sub-area (3).

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mechanical finishing in step d) is carried out with at least one mechanical cutting tool (5).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the component (1) is held in the press hardening tool (4) during the mechanical post-processing.

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one first partial region (2) of the component (1) forms a flange region (6) and / or a region for a recess (7).

7. Device (8) for heat treatment of a metallic component (1), comprising at least: a heated first oven (9), at least one temperature control station (10) which is designed and equipped to set a temperature difference between at least one first sub-area (2) and at least one second sub-area (3) of the component (1), at least one press hardening tool (4), 8. At least one mechanical post-processing device (11) associated with the press hardening tool (4).

9. Device according to claim 7, wherein the at least one mechanical post-processing device (11) comprises at least one mechanical cutting tool (5). Device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the device (8) is provided and configured for carrying out a method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

10. Use of a mechanical post-processing device (11) for trimming a metallic component (1) held in a press hardening tool (4), wherein the component (1) has at least a first sub-area (2) with lower strength properties and at least a second sub-area (3) with higher strength properties. exhibits and wherein the pruning takes place in and / or on the at least one first sub-area (2).