Product and process optimization involves the integration of all the activities from product concept through production/field support to simultaneously optimize the product and its manufacturing processes to meet cost and performance objectives. This paper describes the use of a numerical computational method for the design and manufacture of an example sheet metal component. The goal is to optimize the product parameters (e.g., die and punch geometry, blank material and thickness), and process parameters (e.g., punch volocity, binder pressure, friction) in order to improve the chances of success for a stamping operation. With the increasing power and availability of computational tools, simulation of stamping operations may be the best way to optimize these parameters rather than the trial and error method of real forming often used in industry. Some sample results of this study are presented.
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/raghu-echempati/43/
ISBN: 8173196770