Simulation of sheet metal forming with FORGE®
Sheet metal forming is used for manufacturing thin products. The process can be carried out as a cold or a hot forming process (Hot Press Forming, HPF).
FORGE® simulates both types of sheet metal forming operations in order to optimize process parameters and to ensure the parts’ quality.
predictive simulation
FORGE® allows accurate prediction of:
- Final shape with the prediction of final thickness
- Defects like striction
- Residual stresses
- Press loads including loads to apply on the blank holders
- Metallurgic changes in the case of Hot Press Forming
Flow limit diagram with FORGE®
features oF FORGE® for sheet metal forming
- Dedicated meshing technology for thin products allowing multiple elements in the thickness without impacting CPU time
- Genuine elasto-plastic model for cold operations for accurate elastic spring back and residual stresses
- Anisotropic models and complex hardening models (kinematic hardening)
- For HPF, embedded heat treatment models to accurately predict metallurgic phase transformation and martensite production
- Accurate temperature prediction thanks to coupled part-dies analysis
- With a unique software, multiple operations can be achieved: forming operations as well as subsequent blanking operations are accurately and easily analyzed
Case study: sheet metal forming of a car B-pillar
The example presented here corresponds to the hot forming of a B-pillar in a car body. Following the stamping operation, the part formed is cooled between the two dies which makes it possible to check its microstructure and its final shape. The FORGE® software can be used in this type of configuration and considering the microstructural changes.
Thickness evolution
Temperature evolution