Abstract: Recycled carbon fibers are processed by rotational tumbling in a mixture with binder material to prepare fiber-containing particles having a dual-tapered shape and general alignment of fibers with a longitudinal direction of the particles. Bulk products including such fiber-containing particles are compounded with polymer and pelletized to prepare fiber-reinforced composite pellets, which are useful for applications such as injection molding to prepare molded products of carbon fiber-reinforced composite material with recycled carbon fibers.

Abstract: An intimate area thinning razor, in which a comb portion includes comb teeth, a blade edge exposed portion where a blade edge is exposed, and a cover portion where the blade edge is covered. The comb teeth are provided at both ends in the width direction of the cover portion and between both of the ends, and a set of the blade edge exposed portion and the cover portion arranged in a predetermined manner is disposed repeatedly. A ratio of a total of lengths between center portions in the width direction of the comb teeth adjacent to the plurality of blade edge exposed portions, relative to a length between center portions in the width direction of the comb teeth at outermost positions in the width direction of the comb portion, is 1/10 to 4/10. Groove portions are formed on an extended line of a gap between the comb teeth.

Abstract: A robotic fastening system is operative to autonomously fasten a first subassembly to a second subassembly at a plurality of fastening sites. A set of actuators arranged to move a fastening tool to the various ones of the fastening sites. A proximity sensor is fixed proximate the fastening tool and movable with the fastening tool. A controller circuit is operative to individually control each of the set of actuators and to read an output of the proximity sensor, where the controller circuit is programmed to execute a fastening-tool movement routine to move the fastening tool to a first one of the fastening sites.

Abstract: An ultrasonic knife has a cutting portion formed with at least one cutting edge and a fastening portion. The fastening portion has an external thread for connection to a sonotrode. The cutting portion and the fastening portion are formed in one piece from cemented carbide material. The cemented carbide material includes hard particles that are, at least predominantly, formed by tungsten carbide and a metallic binder. The external thread of the fastening portion has a thread pitch p and is shaped such that the root of the thread turns has a rounded shape with a root radius R of 0.2*p?R?0.3*p.

Abstract: A hydraulic system and method for service mode on a work machine is operatively coupled to a cutting element for felling trees. The hydraulic system comprises a hydraulic motor, a hydraulic pump, a feed actuator, a feed line, a directional control valve, a voltage battery, and a controller. The hydraulic motor is coupled to the hydraulic circuit for operating the cutting element. The hydraulic pump is operable to supply pressurized fluid to the hydraulic motor. The feed actuator extends or retracts the cutting element. The feed line is coupled to the hydraulic actuator. The directional control valve is located on the feed line of the feed actuator. The controller receives a cutting element service mode signal, moves the directional control valve to pressure the feed line for extending the cutting element where the valve is powered by the voltage battery upon receiving the cutting element service mode signal.

Abstract: A clutch brake removal tool configured to facilitate the removal of a single piece clutch brake from an input shaft. The clutch brake removal tool includes a rectangular shaped body having a plurality of walls forming a hollow interior volume. The body includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall and further includes a first end and a second end. The body has an opening at the second end providing access to the interior volume. The second end of the body has a leading edge wherein the leading edge is formed in a semicircular shaft so as to mateably abut against an input shaft. The first sidewall includes a first slot formed therein wherein the second end of the first slot is contiguous with the opening of the body. The second sidewall includes a second slot formed identical to the first slot and located on the opposing sidewall.

Abstract: A radial mounting torque plate for mounting a disk brake component for heavy-duty vehicles, the torque plate comprising an annular portion and a pair of mounting arms. The annular portion is formed with an opening for receiving an axle of the heavy-duty vehicle. The mounting arms are integrally formed with and extend longitudinally outward in opposite directions from the annular portion and have a T-shaped cross-section.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in a magnetic featherboard, the featherboard having an elongate main body with opposite lateral faces, a bottom face and front and rear faces; a plurality of resiliently deformable feathers arranged at one or both lateral faces of the main body, and at least two, on-off switchable permanent magnets respectively received in one of at least two spaced apart recesses of the main body such that a working face of the respective switchable permanent magnet is present at the bottom face of the main body. One improvement comprises (i) providing a resiliently deformable friction gasket adjacent the working face of each of the switchable permanent magnets and protruding, in an non-deformed state, a predetermined amount from the bottom face of the main body and the working faces, the gaskets deformable through magnetic clamping of the featherboard to a table.

Abstract: An automated tissue section slicing, staining, and imaging system sequentially adheres tissue sections to a continuous substrate such that the staining, imaging, and interpretation of the tissue sections are readily carried out at high speed under machine control.

Abstract: In one embodiment, systems and methods include using an ultrasonic cutter in a ground detection system to prevent damage to a substrate. The method of detecting a substrate comprises attaching a workpiece clamp to the substrate. The method further comprises cutting a layer of coating disposed on the substrate with an ultrasonic cutter, wherein the ultrasonic cutter operates at a frequency of about 20 kHz to about 40 kHz, wherein the layer of coating is non-conductive. The method further comprises contacting the substrate with the ultrasonic cutter.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the technical field of cable processing, and discloses a method for processing a reaction force cone of a cable main insulating layer. The method includes: two ends of a cable are clamped through a clamping device, and the cable is enabled to pass through a cutting device; a cutting depth of the cutting device in a radial direction and a cutting position of the cutting device in an axial direction are adjusted; the cutting device is started, and the cable is cut by the cutting device to form the reaction force cone.

Abstract: An adjustment device of a punching device punches a workpiece on a die so that the workpiece is punched into a predetermined shape. The adjustment device includes a first drive mechanism that moves the punch or the die in a direction orthogonal to a punching direction, and a controller connected to the first drive mechanism. The controller brings the punch and the die into contact with each other by moving the punch or the die in four orthogonal directions in a plane perpendicular to the punching direction from an initial position where the punch is inserted into the punching die. The controller causes the first drive mechanism to move the punch or the die to a center position where a central axis of the punch and a central axis of the die are aligned with other.

Abstract: Elasticized absorbent articles containing weakened elasticized portions and methods of manufacture are disclosed. A method comprises applying a first amount of adhesive to a first portion of at least one of the first web of material and the elastic strand, applying a second amount of adhesive to a second portion of at least one of the first web of material and the elastic strand, covering the elastic strand with either the first surface of the first web of material or a first surface of a second web of material to form an elasticized web. The elasticized web comprises a heavy bonding region and a light bonding region, wherein the heavy bonding region comprises a greater area density of adhesive than the light bond region. Finally, the method may further comprise partially weakening the waist panel elastic strand at least at one location within the second region.

Abstract: There is provided a punching device for punching a workpiece into a predetermined shape using a die and a punch, the device including: load sensors which measure a load in a punching direction at at least three predetermined points different from each other; and a control device that calculates a first moment, which is a sum of moments of the measured load around a first axis, and a second moment, which is a sum of moments of the measured load around a second axis, with respect to the first and second axes on a plane perpendicular to the punching direction, and determines that foreign matter is generated in a case where a magnitude of at least one of the first and second moments is deviated from a range of predetermined values.

Abstract: Proposed is a device and a method for preventing worker safety accidents during machining and, more particularly, a device and a method for preventing worker safety accidents during machining, which can prevent worker safety accidents in advance by stopping an operation of a chuck or cutter and triggering an alarm when a part of a worker's body is present in the danger zone beyond the safety zone judged by an artificial intelligence (AI)-based analysis of work images/videos captured during turning, milling, and other machining using chucks or cutters.

Abstract: A cutting fluid delivery controller for a sawmill, and methods and systems for controlling delivery of cutting fluid to a saw blade in a sawmill. The saw blade is driven by a motor. The speed of the motor is regulated by a throttle lever having an idle speed position and a cutting speed position. The cutting fluid delivery controller includes a fluid valve configured to automatically turn on a flow of cutting fluid to the saw blade when the throttle lever is set to the cutting speed position, and to automatically turn off the flow of the cutting fluid when the throttle lever is set to the idle speed position. The cutting fluid delivery controller interconnects the fluid valve and the throttle lever to allow the operator to simultaneously control operation of the saw blade, and the flow of the cutting fluid to the saw blade, with a single operator manipulable actuator.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting workpieces has a saw and a carousel. The carousel has a plurality of workpiece-holding pockets and is mounted for rotation about a carousel axis to pass the workpiece-holding pockets from a first position remote of the saw through at least a second position proximate the saw.

Abstract: A color filter and a manufacturing method thereof, and a display device are provided. The color filter includes a color filter substrate, a plurality of sub-pixel regions, wherein each of the sub-pixel regions includes a first signal region, a second signal region, and a laser path disposed between the first signal region and the second signal region, a first light-shielding sheet disposed on the first signal region and covered with a first indium tin oxide layer, and a second light-shielding sheet disposed on the second signal region and covered with a second indium tin oxide layer. Wherein, the first signal region receives signals through the first indium tin oxide layer, and the second signal region receives signals through the second indium tin oxide layer, therefore improving the problem of signal transmission delay caused by the regional signal impedance difference of the indium tin oxide layer.

Abstract: A microtome has a sectioning apparatus that comprises a microtome blade, for sectioning histological samples into thin prepared sections. The microtome is characterized in that an optical reading apparatus is present which reads an optically readable image pattern on the microtome blade, generates analog or digital image signals corresponding to the read image pattern and conveys the image signals to a control apparatus of the microtome.

Abstract: A system and a method for manufacturing laminated composite components is described. The system may include a cutting station configured to separate component layers from a ply of composition material according to a predefined pattern, a build station configured to stack the component layers according to a predetermined orientation, and a finishing station configured to compact the stacked component layers and provide the laminated composite component to an installation station.

Abstract: In a cutting device, a cutting blade is reciprocally movable within a movable range including a first retracted position away from a target to be cut and a cut complete position at which cutting of the target is to be completed. A memory is configured to store cutting data indicating the first retracted position. A controller is configured to perform controlling, in response to determining that the cutting blade has stopped at an intervening position between a cut start position at which cutting of the target is started and the cut complete position, a drive portion to move the cutting blade from the intervening position to a second retracted position positioned within the movable range and away from the target. The controller is configured to further perform updating the cutting data stored in the memory so as to indicate the second retracted position in place of the first retracted position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a die for cutting a shape or pattern from a material, the die being composed of a base plate (1) comprising an upper surface (2) and a lower surface (3). The die comprises one or more raised edges (4) in the form of a pattern or shape to be die-cut or embossed, on each of the upper and lower surfaces, such that the die can be used to die-cut or emboss two sheets of material simultaneously.

Abstract: A saw device includes a motor having a motor output shaft and a drivetrain that includes a gear train and a chain drive. The gear train has a first gear fixedly connected to the motor output shaft and a second gear fixedly connected to an intermediate shaft, the first gear meshing with the second gear so as to transmit rotation from the motor output shaft to the second gear. The chain drive has a driving sprocket fixedly connected to the intermediate shaft, a driven sprocket, and a chain configured to transmit rotation of the driving sprocket to rotation of the driven sprocket. The saw device further includes an arbor shaft fixedly connected to the driven sprocket, the arbor shaft configured to mount a saw blade such that the saw blade rotates with the arbor shaft, and an upper guard configured to enclose at least a portion of the saw blade.

Abstract: A substrate insertion system is configured for insertion of a substrate under a product being carried on a conveyor. A pre-perforated substrate and a method of inserting the pre-perforated substrates under products carried on a conveyor are also provided. Furthermore, a method is described including the construction and operation of a substrate insertion system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method configured to orient a plurality of studs into one and the same curvature based orientation. The system comprises a conveyor (108; 105) having a feeding direction and being arranged to receive a stud (200A, 200B) being oriented with its longitudinal extension in a direction transverse to the feeding direction. The system further comprises a sensor arrangement (160) configured to measure the curvature of the stud (200A, 200B) as seen along its longitudinal extension and as seen in a major plane of the conveyor (108; 105). Additionally, the system comprises a turning arrangement (170) configured to turn the stud (200A, 200B) 180 degrees around its longitudinal extension.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus and the method of operating same is provided. The apparatus includes a feed tower assembly configured to be attached to an object and a frame base plate movably attached thereto. The frame base plate has a pivotable arm assembly and an arm wheel thereon which accept a cutting member. A visual tension indicator is operably connected to the frame base plate and the arm assembly and configured to indicate an amount of tension applied to the cutting member.

Abstract: A mobile machine tool (10), namely a manually-operated machine tool or semi-stationary machine tool, for machining a workpiece (W), wherein the machine tool has a plate-like guide element (30) with a guide surface (32) for guiding the machine tool on the workpiece (W) or the workpiece (W) on the machine tool, wherein the machine tool has a drive unit (11) with a drive motor (13) for driving a tool holder (14) arranged on the drive unit (11), wherein the drive unit (11) is, by means of a bearing arrangement (35), mounted adjustably on the guide element (30) in order to adjust at least two adjustment positions (S0, S1, S2) of the tool holder (14) relative to the guide surface (32) in which a work tool (15) arranged on the tool holder (14), penetrates into the workpiece (W), to different penetration depths.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method configured to orient a plurality of studs into one and the same curvature based orientation. The system comprises a conveyor (108; 105) having a feeding direction and being arranged to receive a stud (200A, 200B) being oriented with its longitudinal extension in a direction transverse to the feeding direction. The system further comprises a sensor arrangement (160) configured to measure the curvature of the stud (200A, 200B) as seen along its longitudinal extension and as seen in a major plane of the conveyor (108; 105). Additionally, the system comprises a turning arrangement (170) configured to turn the stud (200A, 200B) 180 degrees around its longitudinal extension.

Abstract: A controller of a cutting apparatus specifies a target position of an attaching portion in a fifth direction and controls a second moving mechanism to move the attaching portion in a third direction. If the controller determines that the attaching portion has reached the target position, the controller executes cutting processing based on the obtained cutting data by controlling the second moving mechanism based on a pressure corresponding value achieved when the attaching portion is located at the target portion. If the controller determines that the pressure corresponding value has reached a pressure threshold, the controller executes the cutting processing by controlling the second moving mechanism based on the pressure corresponding value achieved when the attaching portion is located at a first particular position where the pressure corresponding value is equal to or lower than the pressure threshold value. The controller restarts controlling the second moving mechanism.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to verify that proper tooling has been installed in a cable preparation apparatus and/or to calibrate the tooling prior to running the cable preparation apparatus with a cable inserted therein. The method includes: inserting a reference device between blades of the cable preparation device; moving the blades inward toward the reference device until the blades engage the reference device; collecting data to determine when the blades engage the reference device; and comparing the collected data of the blades to an expected range of data of the reference device, wherein if the collected data of the blades does not conform to the expected range of data of the reference device the tooling is not validated, and the apparatus alerts the user.

Abstract: A display device includes a display panel, a first printed circuit board over one surface of the display panel and including a first pad and a second pad, a pressure sensor between the display panel and the first printed circuit board, the pressure sensor including a first conductor connected to the first pad, and a second conductor forming a capacitance with the first conductor, a first adhesive portion contacting the second pad and the second conductor, and a second adhesive portion contacting the second conductor and the first printed circuit board.

Abstract: A mold used for blanking a metal plate to shape a blank to be drawn. The mold has a surface treatment film and a top face to be brought into contact with the metal plate and a peripheral end face communicated indirectly with the top face. At least the top face is coated with the surface treatment film.

Abstract: Lumber retrieval systems and methods feed a centrally located saw with a predetermined assortment of boards picked from certain stations distributed at either side of the saw. In some examples, an overhead trolley system carries individual boards in a certain sequence from chosen stations to a board-receiving apparatus. The board-receiving apparatus, in turn, feeds the boards to the saw. The saw then cuts the boards into board segments, which can be used for making prefabricated trusses and wall panels. In some examples, the trolley system has a laser-scanning feature for determining the location of the next-to-pick board while simultaneously transporting the board currently heading to the board-receiving apparatus. In some examples, the trolley system includes two board carriers each of which are dedicated or assigned to certain stations. In some examples, one carrier serves as backup for the other one when one of the carriers is broken or otherwise inactive.

Abstract: A method for formatting food products on a conveyor device includes a) receiving the food products in a plurality of parallel conveyor tracks, some of which include product gaps; b) outputting the food products into the parallel conveyor tracks in a specific product format; c) detecting the product supply in the conveyor tracks incoming on the input side individually for each of the conveyor tracks; and d) filling the product gaps in the conveyor tracks with food products, so that on the output side all of the parallel conveyor tracks are supplied with the food products. The product gaps are also filled with food products from a product buffer in that at least one of the food products is transferred from the product buffer to the conveyor track only when an odd number of product gaps exist in one of the conveyor tracks.

Abstract: Methods for reworking structures and reworked cellular core panels, reworked structures comprising the reworked cellular core panels, and guides and cutting apparatuses for reworking cellular acoustic panels and reworking cellular acoustic and non-acoustic panels are disclosed.

Abstract: A medium cutting device according to an embodiment may include: a fixed blade provided on one side with respect to a conveyance path in which a medium is conveyed in a thickness direction of the medium orthogonal to a surface of the medium and including a cutting edge thereof; a rotary blade provided on the other side with respect to the conveyance path in the thickness direction, and including a cutting edge thereof, wherein the rotary blade is rotatable and configured to be rotated in a rotation direction so that the cutting edge of the rotary blade passes through the cutting edge of the fixed blade to cut the medium being conveyed. The rotary blade includes, on an outer circumferential surface, a recessed portion provided on a side of the cutting edge of the rotary blade in a reverse direction opposite to the rotation direction of the rotary blade.

Abstract: A printer includes: a conveyor; a printing device; a full-cut unit provided downstream of the printing device; a roller provided downstream of the full-cut unit; a nip member; a motor; and a controller configured to: control the full-cut unit to fully cut the printing medium; control the motor to establish a state in which a leading printing medium is nipped between the roller and the nip member; and control the conveyor to convey a succeeding printing medium downstream while controlling the printing device to perform printing on the succeeding printing medium.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus cuts a fabric using a rotary blade and a fixed blade that are built into a cutter head. The fixed blade is linked, to the other-end side of a swing arm of which one end is pivotally fitted on a blade frame by a swing shaft. The fixed blade is urged by a coil spring connected to the one-end side of the swing arm. When a prescribed resistance force is applied to the fixed blade, a position sensor detects movement of the swing arm, a fixed blade drive cylinder drives the swing arm in response to the detection, and the fixed blade is moved to an accommodation position that is above the position during cutting and that is on an opposite side in the advancing direction of the cutter head.

Abstract: A method for controlling a sawing machine with a sawing tool, which is driven by an electrical sawing tool drive with a first frequency converter, and with a sawing feed device for moving the driven sawing tool at a feed rate in relation to a workpiece to be sawn, and also to such a sawing machine. The feed rate is changed over from an idling feed rate to a working feed rate when the sawing tool engages in the workpiece. A value of a physical variable which corresponds to the torque transferred from the sawing tool drive to the sawing tool or from which a change in this torque can be calculated is determined here at the first frequency converter. The changeover from the idling feed rate to the working feed rate takes place in dependence on the value of this physical variable.

Abstract: An energy-saving environment-friendly digital lettering machine comprises a conveying mechanism, a rewinding mechanism and a machine base, wherein the machine base is provided with a working platform, and the conveying mechanism and the rewinding mechanism are respectively arranged on the left side and the right side of the working platform; the lettering machine further comprise a lettering mechanism, the working platform is provided with at least one lettering mechanism, and each lettering mechanism is arranged on the working platform through a corresponding mounting base, wherein the conveying mechanism, the lettering mechanism and the rewinding mechanism are all electrically connected with a control system of the lettering machine. This equipment combines the X-axis moving assembly and the Z-axis moving assembly with the lettering assembly, the lettering assembly can move in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, and the lettering cutter engraves patterns on the material part.

Abstract: A metal foil bonding device (50) for bonding pieces of metal foil (2) on the successively conveyed sheet-shaped electrodes (1) on the conveyor plates (20) is provided. When it is detected that there is an abnormality in a piece of metal foil (2) to be bonded to the sheet-shaped electrode (1) on the conveyor plate (20) next conveyed to the metal foil bonding device (50), the conveyor plate (20) next conveyed to the metal foil bonding device (50) is temporarily stopped right before the metal foil bonding device (50).

Abstract: Robotic system includes a control system and a slave device which is controlled by the control system. The slave device has a robotic grasping device formed of a rigid base and at least one finger which is movable to facilitate grasping of objects. At least one sensor is provided which senses a force applied to the finger. A cutting tool having a cutting jaw is also attached to the base. The cutting jaw is arranged to pivot on a pivot axis responsive to a pivot motion of the finger. The forces exerted on the cutting jaw are sensed with the sensor during a first predetermined range of finger motion associated with a cutting mode of operation.

Abstract: A method of operating an automated hair processing system (10) and the automated hair processing system (10), comprising a portable hand-held hair processing appliance, a hair processing unit arranged at the appliance, and a position monitoring arrangement (30), the arrangement comprising a plurality of position sensors (32) arranged to be attached to a subject (12) whose hair is to be processed, a transmitter (34) that is operatively coupled with at least two position sensors (32) of the plurality of position sensors (32), and a position controller (42) that is arranged to detect a relative orientation between the at least two position sensors (32) of the plurality of position sensors (32) attached to the subject whose hair, and that signals a misorientation state.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a paint roller manufacturing system and method uses a fabric-coating applicator to apply a fabric adhesive onto a portion of a perforated paint roller cover fabric material having a plurality of perforations through which adhesive may flow, and into the plurality of perforations and into interstitial spaces of the fabric material, to yield a length of coated fabric. An inner strip and an outer strip are wound about a mandrel in offset relation. A strip-coating applicator is used to apply a strip adhesive to the outer strip as it is wound about the mandrel. Simultaneously with the step of applying the strip adhesive to the outer strip, a portion of the coated paint roller fabric material is received at the outer strip and the length of coated fabric is wound about at least the outer strip to form a paint roller tube.

Abstract: Implementations of a miter jig are provided. The miter jig can be used to fabricate a non-perpendicular miter joint, the miter joint being formed by beveling each of two parts (e.g., wooden panels) to be joined to form a corner. By using a miter jig, each of the parts to be joined can be cut to have a bevel angle of up to 80°. In this way, a corner having an acute angle or an obtuse angle can be formed. The miter jig is configured so that it can be secured to a workpiece and comprises a base plate connected to a top plate by a hinge, at least two adjustable brace assemblies configured to set the angle of the top plate relative to the base plate, and a cutting implement guide configured to guide a cutting implement to cut a workpiece at an angle.

Abstract: A method for operating a slicing machine for cutting slices of product from a strand-shaped product to be cut, preferably food, having a cutting device comprising a circular blade that rotates on a cutting plane about an axis of rotation and is driven by an electric circular blade motor, having a carriage that carries a support plate for placing the product to be sliced and can be displaced at a carriage speed vs parallel to the cutting plane, and having a chain of a chain frame that is driven by an electric chain frame motor for transporting away cut slices of product at a transport speed vT and for depositing them on a receiving table or a conveyor belt, with a number n?2 of strands of product to be sliced being placed parallel to one another on the support plate with their strand axes aligned.

Abstract: A cutter is positioned at a cutting position according to a virtual coordinate system. Media is cut at the cutting position using the cutter to create a cut. The actual location of the cut in the media is detected and the virtual coordinate system is calibrated based on an offset between the cutting position and the actual cut location.

Abstract: A pizza pan is disclosed including guidelines configured to aid in precisely cutting a pizza into slices with desired shapes. The pizza pan includes a flat base, vertical walls surrounding the flat base, a plurality of guidelines formed upon the flat base, and for each of the guidelines, a visible guideline locator situated upon one of the walls proximate to the guideline. The guidelines are configured to receive and guide a sharpened edge of a round pizza cutting tool as the tool cuts the pizza.

Abstract: A method for producing an iron-based sintered alloy, which is used in sliding components in pairs and has a composition including, in terms of percent by mass, Ti: 18.4 to 24.6%, Mo: 2.8 to 6.6%, C: 4.7 to 7.0%, Cr: 7.5 to 10.0%, Ni: 4.5 to 6.5%, Co: 1.5 to 4.5%, Al: 0.6 to 1.0%, the balance being Fe and unavoidable impurities, wherein the method is carried out such that the alloy has a structure in which hard particles are dispersed in an island form in a matrix and, while an area ratio thereof is kept constant, a maximum circle equivalent diameter thereof is controlled to a predetermined value of 40 to 10 ?m.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting edge cracks of an element of a sheet metal product is provided. The method includes calculating a first stress associated with a forming process employing a first die; calculating a second stress associated with a finishing process employing a second die; combining the first stress and the second stress to formulate a total stress; simulating the sheet metal product to produce a benchmark stress; and comparing the total stress and the benchmark stress to determine if the element predictively contains edge cracks.