Automobile Construction: 'Tailored Blanks' and Connecting Rods

H. K. D. H. Bhadeshia

Tailored blanks are made by welding together different kinds of steels, often with different thicknesses, so that local properties in what finally becomes a single component, are optimised. This leads to weight and cost savings, and outstanding engineering. Photographs taken from displays at Warwick University.

The bit identified on the mini is made from a tailored blank	The vertical line joins two different steels, which also differ in thickness. The blank is at the back, fabricated using laser welding, and the final component is in front.
The process which leads to the manufacture of connecting rods, beginning with the blank at the top.	Two connecting rods in each forging
The final products before finish machining