Jerzy Rojek

Reliability assessment for sheet metal forming operations

Methodology developed for reliability calculations of structures is applied to estimate reliability of sheet metal forming operations. Sheet forming operations are one of the most common technological processes but still the tool and process design is a difficult engineering problem. Product defects are often encountered in the industrial practice. Material breakage, wrinkling, shape defects due to springback are most frequent defects in sheet metal forming operations. Numerical simulation allows us to evaluate product manufacturability and predict the defects at early stages of the design process. In the paper the so-called forming limit diagrams (FLD) are used as a criterion of material breakage in the manufacturing process. A zone of a FLD where good results are guaranteed with sufficient probability is considered as safe zone. Sheet forming operations are characterized with a significant scatter of the results. This can be caused by differences that can occur in forming of each part. Small differences in the contact conditions, for instance, can lead to significant changes in the deformation state of the sheet. In reliability-like approach we try to quantify intuitive terms of probability of failure/success of forming operations given some uncertainty of parameters characterizing a forming process like friction parameters or blankholding force. Since the employment of the gradient-based reliability techniques is very much limited due to the some degree of numerical noise introduced by the explicit dynamic algorithm used to perform sheet stamping simulation the method of adaptive Monte Carlo simulations were chosen for reliability assessment.

A residual correction method based on finite calculus

In this paper, a residual correction method based upon an extension of the finite calculus concept is presented. The method is described and applied to the solution of a scalar convection‐diffusion problem and the problem of elasticity at the incompressible or quasi‐incompressible limit. The formulation permits the use of equal interpolation for displacements and pressure on linear triangles and tetrahedra as well as any low order element type. To add additional stability in the solution, pressure gradient corrections are introduced as suggested from developments of sub‐scale methods. Numerical examples are included to demonstrate the performance of the method when applied to typical test problems.

Advances in FE explicit formulation for simulation of metalforming processes

Abstract This paper presents some advances of finite element explicit formulation for simulation of metal forming processes. Because of their computational efficiency, finite element programs based on the explicit dynamic formulation proved to be a very attractive tool for the simulation of metal forming processes. The use of explicit programs in the sheet forming simulation is quite common, the possibilities of these codes in bulk forming simulation in our opinion are still not exploited sufficiently. In our paper, we will consider aspects of bulk forming simulation. We will present new formulations and algorithms developed for bulk metal forming within the explicit formulation. An extension of a finite element code for the thermomechanical coupled analysis is discussed. A new thermomechanical constitutive model developed by the authors and implemented in the program is presented. A new formulation based on the so-called split algorithm allows us to use linear triangular and tetrahedral elements in the analysis of large plastic deformations characteristic to forming processes. Linear triangles and tetrahedra have many advantages over quadrilateral and hexahedral elements. Linear triangles and tetrahedra based on the standard formulations exhibit volumetric locking and are not suitable for large plastic strain simulation. The new formulation allows to overcome this difficulty. New formulations and algorithms have been implemented in the finite element code Stampack developed at the International Centre for Numerical Methods in Engineering in Barcelona. Numerical examples illustrate some of the possibilities of the finite element code developed and validate new algorithms.

Discrete Element Modelling of Rock Cutting

This paper presents numerical modelling of rock cutting processes. The model consists of a tool-rock system. 3D geometry is considered in the model. The rock is modelled using the discrete element method, which is suitable to study problems of multiple material fracturing like that of rock cutting. The paper presents brief overview of the theoretical formulation and calibration of the discrete element model by simulation of the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and indirect tension (Brazilian) tests. Numerical examples illustrate the paper. Rock cutting processes typical for underground excavation using both roadheader and TBM cutting tools are simulated. Numerical results are compared with the available experimental data.

Numerical simulation of car body elements pressing applying tailor welded blanks – practical verification of results

The cycle of investigations on applying tailor welded blanks (TWB) for sheet forming processes was conducted at Department of Materials Technology of the Silesian University of Technology and as The European Research Project Acronym SIM-TWB. The model of tailor welded blank (TWB model) have been worked out and great number of FEM simulations of stamping process of different geometry drawpieces using TWB were conducted. The paper presents the practical verification of simulation results of stamping process of car body drawpieces: B-pillar and reinforcement of floor of boot, applying TWB for stamping. Stampack – a commercial program for FEM simulation was applied, as well as worked out 5-zones TWB model have been used. The practical verification showed the good agreement of results of simulation and practical experiments of stamping processes of both chosen drawpieces. Hence worked out TWB model is proper and recommend to simulation of TWB forming processes.

Discrete/Finite Element Modelling of Rock Cutting with a TBM Disc Cutter

This paper presents advanced computer simulation of rock cutting process typical for excavation works in civil engineering. Theoretical formulation of the hybrid discrete/finite element model has been presented. The discrete and finite element methods have been used in different subdomains of a rock sample according to expected material behaviour, the part which is fractured and damaged during cutting is discretized with the discrete elements while the other part is treated as a continuous body and it is modelled using the finite element method. In this way, an optimum model is created, enabling a proper representation of the physical phenomena during cutting and efficient numerical computation. The model has been applied to simulation of the laboratory test of rock cutting with a single TBM (tunnel boring machine) disc cutter. The micromechanical parameters have been determined using the dimensionless relationships between micro- and macroscopic parameters. A number of numerical simulations of the LCM test in the unrelieved and relieved cutting modes have been performed. Numerical results have been compared with available data from in-situ measurements in a real TBM as well as with the theoretical predictions showing quite a good agreement. The numerical model has provided a new insight into the cutting mechanism enabling us to investigate the stress and pressure distribution at the tool–rock interaction. Sensitivity analysis of rock cutting performed for different parameters including disc geometry, cutting velocity, disc penetration and spacing has shown that the presented numerical model is a suitable tool for the design and optimization of rock cutting process.

The influence of hot pressing conditions on mechanical properties of nickel aluminide/alumina composite

The influence of hot pressing conditions on mechanical properties of nickel aluminide/alumina composite has been investigated in the present paper. In particular, effect of the process parameters, viz. compacting pressure, sintering temperature and sintering time on the evolution of density, elastic constants and tensile strength properties of the intermetallic-ceramic composite has been studied. Elastic constants, the Youngs modulus and Poissons ratio, have been evaluated using an ultrasonic testing method, and the tensile strength has been determined by a Brazilian-type splitting test. Microscopic observations of microstructure evolution complemented the experimental procedure. Experimental results have been confronted with theoretical models showing a good agreement between the data compared.

SIMULATION OF POWDER SINTERING USING A DISCRETE ELEMENT MODEL

Abstract This paper presents numerical simulation of powder sintering. The numerical model introduced in this work employs the discrete element method which assumes that material can be modelled by a large assembly of discrete elements (particles) of spherical shape interacting among one another. Modelling of sintering requires introduction of the cohesive interaction among particles representing interparticle sintering forces. Numerical studies of sintering have been combined with experimental studies which provided data for calibration and validation of the model. In the laboratory tests evolution of microstructure and density during sintering have been studied. Comparison of numerical and experimental results shows a good performance of the numerical model developed

Particle-fluid interaction inside a beater mill

In this work a trajectory study of particles through a beater mill (sometimes referred to as a fan mill) was performed. The attention was focused on particle behaviour. We used the CFD-DEM (Discrete Element Method) commercial code, ANSYS Fluent. Particles of different sizes were analysed. Results highlight particle behaviour, fluid flow conditions and mark places requiring geometrical improvements. Most of the improvements needed are in the mills classifier, where perpendicular walls and large vortices hinder the filtration process, by suspending the particles inside the classifier.

A study of densification and microstructure evolution during hot pressing of NiAl/Al2O3 composite

Evolution of the density and the microstructure during hot pressing of NiAl/Al2O3 composite has been investigated in the present paper. In particular, the effect of the process parameters, viz. compacting pressure, sintering temperature and sintering time, on the evolution of the density of the intermetallic–ceramic composite has been studied. Evolution of the density has been related to microstructure changing. Porosity, pore structures and grains rearrangement have been analysed in microscopic observations.