Integration of artificial neural network and simulated annealing algorithm to optimize deep drawing process

Deep drawing is characterized by very complicated deformation affected by the process parameter values including die geometry, blank holder force, material properties, and frictional conditions. The aim of this study is to model and optimize the deep drawing process for stainless steel 304 (SUS304). To achieve the purpose, die radius, punch radius, blank holder force, and frictional conditions are designated as input parameters. Thinning, as one of the major failure modes in deep drawn parts, is considered as the process output parameter. Based on the results of finite element (FE) analysis, an artificial neural network (ANN) has been developed, as a predictor, to relate important process parameters to process output characteristics. The proposed feed forward back propagation ANN is trained and tested with pairs of input/output data obtained from FE analysis. To verify the FE model, the results obtained from the FE model were compared with those of several experimental tests. Afterward, the ANN is integrated into a simulated annealing algorithm to optimize the process parameters. Optimization results indicate that by selecting the proper process parameter settings, uniform wall thickness with minimum thinning can be achieved.     

Experimental Investigation on Micro Deep Drawing of Stainless Steel Foils with Different Microstructural Characteristics

In the present work, austenitic stainless steel(ASS) 304 foils with a thickness of 50 μm were first annealed at temperatures ranging from 700 to 1100℃ for 1 h to obtain different microstructural characteristics.Then the effects of microstructural characteristics on the formability of ASS 304 foils and the quality of drawn cups using micro deep drawing(MDD) were studied, and the mechanism involved was discussed. The results show that the as-received ASS304 foil has a poor formability and cannot be used to form a cup using MDD. Serious wrinkling problem occurs on the drawn cup, and the height profile distribution on the mouth and the symmetry of the drawn cup is quite nonuniform when the annealing temperature is 700 ℃. At annealing temperatures of 900 and 950 ℃, the drawn cups are both characterized with very few wrinkles, and the distribution of height profile, symmetry and mouth thickness are uniform on the mouths of the drawn cups. The wrinkling becomes increasingly significant with a further increase of annealing temperature from 950 to 1100 ℃. The optimal annealing temperatures obtained in this study are 900 and 950 ℃ for reducing the generation of wrinkling, and therefore improving the quality of drawn cups. With nonoptimized microstructure, the distribution of the compressive stress in the circumferential direction of the drawn foils becomes inhomogeneous, which is thought to be the cause of the occurrence of localized deformation till wrinkling during MDD.     

SUS304不锈钢ELID镜面磨削正交化实验研究

SUS304不锈钢具有高耐腐耐磨性和良好的综合性能而被广泛应用,但其高韧性和低导热性使传统的SUS304不锈钢磨削或车削工艺存在一定困难。在线电解修整ELID(Electrolytic in-process dressing)磨削技术能有效地用于SUS304不锈钢镜面磨削加工。本文主要对SUS304不锈钢进行ELID镜面磨削正交化实验研究以获得合理的工艺参数。首先利用#325砂轮进行7个影响因素2水平的正交磨削实验,获得初步的优化参数,然后利用#1200砂轮进行3个影响因素2水平的正交镜面磨削实验。通过改变削件砂轮转速、X和Y平台移动速度、进给率和ELID电源件等各种磨削条件,获得优化后的磨削工艺参数,进行了相应的磨削验证,并讨论了工艺参数对磨削特性的影响。研究了不同砂轮磨粒对表面粗糙度的影响,使用#8000金刚石砂轮对SUS304不锈钢镜面磨削,获得表面粗糙度Ra=3.6 nm。     

Study on process parameters and its analytic application for nonaxisymmetric rectangular cup of multistage deep drawing process using low carbon thin steel sheet

Multistage deep drawing process is widely used to obtain various nonaxisymmetric rectangular cups. This deep drawing scheme including drawing and ironing processes consists of several tool sets to carry out a continuous production within one progressive press. To achieve the successive production, design and fabrication of the necessary tools such as punch, die, and other auxiliary devices are critical, therefore, a series of process parameters play an important role in performing the process design. This study focuses on the tool design and modification for developing the rectangular cup with an aspect ratio of 5.7, using cold-rolled low carbon thin steel sheet with the initial thickness of 0.4 mm. Based on the design results for the process and the tools, finite element analysis for the multistage deep drawing process is performed with thickness control of the side wall in intermediate blanks as the first approach. From the results of the first approach, it is shown that the intermediate blanks could experience failures such as tearing, wrinkling, and earing by excessive thinning and thickening. To solve these failures, the modifications for the deep drawing punches are carried out, and the modified punches are applied to the same process. The simulation results for the multistage rectangular deep drawing process are compared with the thickness distributions before and after the punch shape modifications, and with the deformed shape in each intermediate blank, respectively. The results of finite element reanalysis using the modified punches show significant improvement compared with those by using the original designed punch shapes.     

An analysis of the nosing process of metal tubes

In this paper, the finite element method is used to investigate the cold nosing process of partially laterally constrained metal tubes with a conical die from a tube billet. A series of simulations on the tube nosing using the FEM program ANSYS/LS-DYNA was carried out. The influences of the process parameters such as tube length, tube thickness, die fillet radius, die angle, friction factor, strength coefficient and strain hardening exponent of the billet material on the critical nosing ratio of the tube are analysed. Experiments were carried out with stainless steel SUS304 tube billets at room temperature, and the results of experiments were compared with the FEM calculations.     

Analysis of the allowable deep drawing height of rectangular steel parts

This paper presents a theoretical, numerical and experimental analysis of the allowable (maximum) deep drawing height (DDH) of rectangular cups made of steel. In particular, a new expression to calculate the allowable DDH of rectangular deep drawing, based on the equivalent diameter concept and the volume conservation principle, is proposed and compared with those theoretical expressions currently available in the literature. Finite element method simulations together with experimental data taken from a set of 20 industrial steel parts are used to evaluate the accuracy of each theoretical expression. The results have shown that the new expression has superior precision than those existing in the literature.     

Optimization of the design parameters of modified die in hydro-mechanical deep drawing using LS-DYNA

The use of a modified die enhances the limiting draw ratio compared to that obtainable in a conventional deep drawing operation. Application of these dies, in conventional deep drawing, eliminated the use of blank holder but enhances the tendency of wrinkling in drawn products. In hydro-mechanical deep drawing process, the punch deforms the blank to its final shape by moving against a controlled pressurized fluid. In this paper, a new concept of the application of modified dies in hydro-mechanical deep drawing is presented. The finite element (FE) simulations of a deep-drawing process using modified dies are performed using the 2-D explicit finite element code LS-DYNA, with the aim of optimization of design parameters and the results are compared with the experimental values. The initial design steps in the design of modified die in finite element simulation were taken from the concept of Tractrix die. The use of Tractrix die enhances the draw ratio but simultaneously increases the tendency of wrinkling. In this paper the design parameters of modified Tractrix die for hydro-mechanical deep drawing are optimized for the successful drawing of cups. It is also experimentally verified that by using such modified dies in hydro-mechanical deep drawing, deeper cups are drawn without wrinkling.     

Experimental and mathematical analysis of simulation results for sheet metal parts in deep drawing

In this paper, deep drawing of conical and cylindrical cups without blank holder is investigated using a conical die design. These cups are produced by pushing circular blanks by pushing the flat head punch in a single stroke. ANSYS APDL 14.0 was then used to investigate the effects of die and punch geometry, half-cone angle, die and punch fillet radius, and drawing load. The thickness distribution of the cup was numerically investigated to determine the optimal process design, and mathematical analysis was adopted to determine the thickness distribution and longitudinal stress calculation. An experimental set-up was designed to validate the simulation results for conical and cylindrical shaped sheet-metal cups. Tensile tests were carried out to obtain the flow of the stress-strain curve for the simulation. The drawing characteristics of materials were investigated by performing Erichsen cupping and Vickers hardness tests. Experiments were conducted on blanks of aluminum alloys and stainless steel with initial thicknesses of 1.5 mm. A cylindrical cup of ss304 with LDR of up to 2.2 and conical cup of AA1100 with LDR of up to 2.7 were successfully achieved. Finite element simulation results showed good agreement with the mathematical and experimental results.     

The design of blank’s initial shape in the near net-shape deep drawing of square cup

Deep drawing process is very useful in industrial field because of its efficiency. The deep drawing is affected by many process variables, such as blank shapes, profile radii of punch and die, formability of materials and so on. Especially, in order to obtain the optimal products in deep drawing process, blank shape is very important formability factor. In this paper, the finite element method is used to investigate the cup height of the square cup drawing process. In order to verify the prediction of FEM simulation of the product’s height and forming load in the square cup drawing process, the experimental data are compared with the results of the current simulation. A finite element analysis is also utilized to acquire the designed profile of the drawn products, a reverse forming method for obtaining the initial blank’s shape according to the forward square cup drawing simulation is proposed. The design of initial blank’s shape is also certified to obtain the designed profile of drawn cups by experiment. The influences of the blank’s shape on the height of product, the forming load, the maximum effective stress and the maximum effective strain are also examined.     

基于Deform的304不锈钢的车削仿真与实验研究

不锈钢是典型的难加工材料。为进一步研究不锈钢的切削机理,利用Deform 3D有限元软件对304不锈钢的车削过程进行了仿真,仿真结果可以为切削用量的优化选择提供理论依据。采用正交试验法,在CA6140A车床上进行了车削304不锈钢的加工试验,用测力仪测量了切削力数值,并比较分析了试验结果与有限元仿真的结果。     

A study on high ratio cup drawing by Maslennikov’s process

Deep drawing of sheet metals using Maslennikov’s technique has been analyzed by analytical and finite element simulation approaches. A new friction model based on local contact conditions has been used in the finite element (FE) simulations of the process. Compared to traditional Coulomb friction model, the results of FE simulations with the new friction model show good correlation with analytical calculations. The effects of key process parameters such as rubber ring thickness, ring inner diameter, die hole diameter, and die profile radius on the results have been investigated. The results showed that very deep cups without thinning in the side wall portion can be achieved with this process. Based on the results of FE analysis, it was found that the maximum drawing ratio can be achieved by adopting a combination of process parameters which correspond to points nearest to the fracture limit.     

Laser shock forming of SUS304 stainless steel sheet with elliptical spot

A novel forming method by laser shock wave with elliptical spot is reported. The mechanism of laser shock forming (LSF) and equation of pressure pulse were presented, and SUS304 stainless steel with a thickness of 0.4?mm was experimentally investigated. Firstly, the deformed specimen was measured by ARGUS optical measuring system, and the results of major and minor strain and material thickness reduction of sheet metal to analyze the deformation qualities were provided. Secondly, the major and minor strains were imported into forming limit diagram (FLD) to evaluate the forming parameters. The result clearly shows that all measurement points are below the forming limit curves of the SUS304 steel. Finally, the thickness reduction along long-axis direction was simulated and analyzed by using ABAQUS finite element (FE) software. The simulated results are basically in agreement with the experiment data.     

The effect of a multistep deep-drawing process with circular and rectangular shapes on the deformation of AZ31 magnesium sheets

This study has mostly focused on the forming limit, microstructural change, and anisotropy that arise from rectangular and circular deep drawing of magnesium sheets. Moreover, this study predicts the change in the material thickness and the forming depth at the first forming process that produces the rectangular cup by the deep drawing of the rectangular blank. Further, by using the rectangular cup that is formed by the first forming process, when the circular and square cups in the rectangular cup are simultaneously manufactured in the so-called second forming process, the effect of the clearance between the die and punch on the change in the product thickness according to forming depth associated with microstructural analysis is investigated. The forming temperature is optimized to maximize formability. The results obtained in this study are utilized as data for predicting the die clearance and the change in the thickness.     

A study of process and die design for ball valve forming from stainless steel tube

In this paper, two process and die design methods for ball valve forming from stainless steel tubes are compared: one is the tube hydroforming method (THFM), and the other is the tube nosing method (TNSM). Simulations on hydraulic expansion, axial feeding, and tube nosing of the ball shell forming with the two methods using the program DEFORM-3D are carried out. The influence of the two methods on workpiece formability and wall thickness distribution of ball valve forming is examined. A tube nosing experiment is carried out with a SUS304 stainless steel tube at room temperature. An accepted product of ball valve satisfying the industrial demand is obtained using TNSM.     

Manufacturing process of bezel frame for strength-reinforced TFT LCD module by progressive hemming of SUS304 stainless steel sheet

In this study, the design procedure for a progressive multi-hemming forming process has been proposed for manufacturing bezel frames for strength-reinforced TFT LCD (Thin-film-transistor liquid-crystal display) modules. First, a strength analysis was performed using Finite element (FE) simulations to determine the minimum number of required folding edges. Subsequently, anoother FE analysis was carried out in order to investigate the effects of the process parameters on the dimensional accuracy of the bezel frame and to design the progressive hemming process. The analytical results were validated by hemming experiments performed using SUS304 stainless steel with a thickness of 0.3 mm. Finally, the quality of the bezel frame was estimated through measurements of its dimensional accuracy and bending stiffness. From the experimental results, it was confirmed that a bezel frame with a height distribution of 1.5±0.05 mm and a respectable bending stiffness of 70 N/mm could be manufactured using the proposed process.     

Experimental and numerical analysis of titanium/aluminum clad metal sheets in sheet hydroforming

Clad metals are becoming increasingly emphasized in sheet metal applications. In this research, sheet hydroforming process (SHF) was adopted to improve the formability of Ti/Al clad metal sheets and SUS 304 metal sheets used in computer, communication, and consumer product housings. Both finite element simulation and experimental verification were carried out to investigate the deformation of blanks. Several significant process parameters, such as holding force, friction, counter pressure history, and blank dimensions, were discussed for improving the formability of the two metal sheets. In SHF simulation, a virtual film technique was proposed to realistically approach the hydraulic loading condition during SHF. Finally, the deformed shape and thickness distribution of parts manufactured with SHF were compared with the results of simulation. Good agreements were obtained.     

Analysis of deep drawing of sheet metal using the Marform process

This paper deals with the deep drawing of metal cups using the Marform process. Using this technique, higher limiting drawing ratios can be obtained compared with the conventional deep drawing process. The analytical model of the process is presented initially, followed by the finite element simulations using ABAQUS software. A new friction model based on local contact conditions is presented and used in the finite element (FE) simulations of the process. Compared with traditional Coulomb friction model, the results of the FE simulations with the new friction model showed good correlation with experimental results. The results showed that the maximum thinning occurs at the punch profile portion, and by increasing the forming pressure, thinning of the sheet metal propagates from the punch profile portion to the side wall. At low forming pressures, wrinkles appear in the flange, whilst at higher pressures, fracture is the main defect of the Marform process.     

汽车横梁拉深成形的有限元分析

建立了汽车横梁拉深的有限元三维模型,对其拉深成形过程进行了数值模拟,并与实验结果对比分析,说明数值模拟方法的可行性。在此基础上讨论了摩擦润滑条件、压边力和凸模的虚拟冲压速度对板料拉深过程的影响。通过有限元模拟分析方法得到最佳压边力数值,然后通过综合分析数值模拟结果和拉深实验结果确定了实际拉深过程中的最佳压边力。结果表明,在实际拉深过程中要尽量减小模具和板料的摩擦;在模拟拉深成形时,当虚拟冲压速度大于一定值时,会使模拟结果严重失真,因此,汽车横梁拉深数值模拟时最大虚拟冲压速度不要大于2000mm／s。     

Fabrication of micro-channel arrays on thin stainless steel sheets for proton exchange membrane fuel cells using micro-stamping technology

Bipolar plates are one of the crucial components of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Because of the expensive production costs of traditional graphite bipolar plates, which require a few millimeters thickness over the space, the resulting metal bipolar plate reduces the cost, and the thickness can be reduced to the micron range. This study explored the application of micro-stamping technology to produce thin metal bipolar plates with the relevant process parameters. In this study, the channel design was 0.8?×0.75 mm for the use of a rigid punch on a 50-μm-thick stainless steel sheet (SUS 304) for micro-channel stamping processes. The finite element method and the experimental results were used to analyze the main parameters of the micro-stamping process. The traditional material model and the scale factor modified material model were used for simulation. The experimental results verified that the modified material model is more realistic for products and has superior similarity because the punch load is relatively small. This study used updated Lagrangian formulation concept to establish an elastic–plastic deformation finite element analysis model and scale factor to modify the calculation to effectively simulate the micro-stamping process for metal bipolar plates.     

SUS304亚稳奥氏体不锈钢在耦合摩擦和变形条件下的磨损行为研究

在自制的耦合摩擦和变形的试验机上初步研究了SUS304亚稳奥氏体不锈钢带的磨损变形行为,分析了在耦合摩擦和变形条件下的形变量、磨痕表面的马氏体转变以及磨痕形貌与试验条件的关系。结果表明:研制的试验机实现了SUS304亚稳奥氏体不锈钢带的摩擦和塑性变形的耦合行为;不仅带试样摩擦表面的形貌随正压力增加变化明显,而且其形变量和诱发转变的马氏体量均增大,但马氏体量增加对SUS304奥氏体不锈钢的磨损无明显影响。