| Abstract: | A method for determining optimal motion of tools in metal forming processes from the finite element simulation is proposed. In this method, the calculated results such as the deforming shape and the stress and strain distributions are monitored in each deformation step of the finite element simulation, and the forming motion of tools is iteratively optimized on the basis of a feedback control referring to the monitored results. The present method is applied to determination of the motion of rolls for forming plates into desired curvatures in plane-strain three-roll bending. Fuzzy reasoning is used to obtain the movement of the top roll in each deformation step, and the effects of the plate thickness and the difference between the desired and the calculated curvatures are taken into consideration. To avoid the delay of the control, the effect of the curvature distribution during bending is included in the fuzzy reasoning. It is shown that decrease in the curvature near both ends of the bent plate in three-roll bending is prevented by the use of the present method. |
