Abstract: A method of manufacturing a panel using an initial die and a series of secondary dies includes sequentially defining multi-dimensional models for the series of secondary dies. The method includes simulating a geometry of an nth pre-panel, defining a multi-dimensional model of the nth secondary die based on the simulated geometry of the nth pre-panel, simulating operation of the nth secondary die on the nth pre-panel to determine geometry of an (n+1)th pre-panel, and determining a deviation between the simulated (n+1)th pre-panel and a target pre-panel geometry. If the deviation is outside tolerance, the method includes iteratively: adjusting the multi-dimensional model of the nth secondary die, simulating operation thereof to determine an adjusted simulated geometry of the (n+1)th pre-panel, and determining a deviation between the adjusted simulated geometry of the (n+1)th pre-panel and the target (n+1)th pre-panel, until the deviation is within the tolerance limit.

Abstract: A forming die includes a first die component with a male bead and a second die component with a female bead. The male bead and the female bead form a bead with a reverse bead geometry with the male bead having a groove and the female bead having a protrusion complimentary with the groove such that the protrusion is aligned with the groove when the male bead extends into the female bead. The male bead includes a push surface, a pair of sidewalls extending from the push surface to a main surface of the first die component, and the groove extends inwardly into the rib. And the female bead includes a stop surface and a pair of sidewalls extending from the stop surface to a main surface of the second die component, and the protrusion extends outwardly from the stop surface into the female bead.

Abstract: A method for compensating springback of a part includes running a finite element analysis (FEA) simulation of forming a panel using a model of forming die such that a panel with springback is simulated, determining at least two zero springback locations on the panel where hanging apertures are simulated, running an FEA simulation of the panel hanging from the hanging apertures, and comparing a geometry of the hanging panel to a geometry of a reference panel such that a difference between the geometry of the hanging panel and the geometry of the reference panel due to the springback is determined and compensated.

Abstract: A forming die includes a first die component with a male bead and a second die component with a female bead. The male bead and the female bead form a bead with a reverse bead geometry with the male bead having a groove and the female bead having a protrusion complimentary with the groove such that the protrusion is aligned with the groove when the male bead extends into the female bead. Also, the protrusion is adjustable in real-time within the female bead. A stamping machine with the first die component and the second die component has a control unit configured to adjust the protrusion in real-time as a function of mechanical property testing data, width testing data, thickness testing data, lubrication testing data and/or image sensor module data on one or more blanks to be stamped and/or one or more blanks that have been stamped.

Abstract: A forming die includes a first die component with a male bead and a second die component with a female bead. The male bead and the female bead form a bead with a reverse bead geometry with the male bead having a groove and the female bead having a protrusion complimentary with the groove such that the protrusion is aligned with the groove when the male bead extends into the female bead. The male bead includes a push surface, a pair of sidewalls extending from the push surface to a main surface of the first die component, and the groove extends inwardly into the rib. And the female bead includes a stop surface and a pair of sidewalls extending from the stop surface to a main surface of the second die component, and the protrusion extends outwardly from the stop surface into the female bead.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a panel using an initial die and a series of secondary dies includes sequentially defining multi-dimensional models for the series of secondary dies. The method includes simulating a geometry of an nth pre-panel, defining a multi-dimensional model of the nth secondary die based on the simulated geometry of the nth pre-panel, simulating operation of the nth secondary die on the nth pre-panel to determine geometry of an (n+1)th pre-panel, and determining a deviation between the simulated (n+1)th pre-panel and a target pre-panel geometry. If the deviation is outside tolerance, the method includes iteratively: adjusting the multi-dimensional model of the nth secondary die, simulating operation thereof to determine an adjusted simulated geometry of the (n+1)th pre-panel, and determining a deviation between the adjusted simulated geometry of the (n+1)th pre-panel and the target (n+1)th pre-panel, until the deviation is within the tolerance limit.

Abstract: A method for forming a stamped component from a blank material with an industrial stamping machine during a stamping process includes measuring a plurality of parameters of the stamping process. The parameters are provided as variables of the stamping process. The method further includes analyzing, by a stamping process model, the plurality of parameters to adjust the stamping process for the blank material, defining, by the stamping process model, a control parameter of the industrial stamping machine for the blank material, and stamping the blank material with the industrial stamping machine based on the defined control parameter to form the stamped component.

Abstract: A method of forming a part is provided by the present disclosure. The method includes forming a blank from a material, heating the blank, stamping the blank into a panel, and trimming the panel in a trim die. Trimming the panel includes heating a portion of the trim die locally adjacent a trim area of the panel at a temperature below an austenitizing (phase transformation) temperature of the material and trimming the panel with a cutting member.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a sheet metal stamping simulation is provided. The method may include defining elements of a finite-element mesh representing a stamped panel, operating on the elements to simulate deformation of the panel during stamping to generate, for each of the elements, incremental differential major and minor plastic strain values, applying a weighting factor to temporally adjacent pairs of the values to generate smoothed values, deriving, from the smoothed values and for each of the elements, a plurality of plastic strain incremental ratios representing plastic flow direction of the elements during the deformation, and altering colors of a map based on the ratios to represent changes in severity of plastic deformation of the stamped panel.

Abstract: An apparatus for trimming a sheet metal panel in a die set. A grinding tool including a grinding wheel driven by a rotary drive is used to grind away a shear affected zone from the trimmed edge formed by the trim steel. The grinding tool is disposed within a cavity defined by the reciprocating die and is oriented to grind away a shear affected zone as the reciprocating die moves the grinding tool into engagement with the trimmed edge.

Abstract: An apparatus for trimming a sheet metal panel in a die set. A grinding tool including a grinding wheel driven by a rotary drive is used to grind away a shear affected zone from the trimmed edge formed by the trim steel. The grinding tool is disposed within a cavity defined by the reciprocating die and is oriented to grind away a shear affected zone as the reciprocating die moves the grinding tool into engagement with the trimmed edge.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a sheet metal stamping simulation is provided. The method may include defining elements of a finite-element mesh representing a stamped panel, operating on the elements to simulate deformation of the panel during stamping to generate, for each of the elements, incremental differential major and minor plastic strain values, applying a weighting factor to temporally adjacent pairs of the values to generate smoothed values, deriving, from the smoothed values and for each of the elements, a plurality of plastic strain incremental ratios representing plastic flow direction of the elements during the deformation, and altering colors of a map based on the ratios to represent changes in severity of plastic deformation of the stamped panel.

Abstract: A method of forming a part is provided by the present disclosure. The method includes forming a blank from a material, heating the blank, stamping the blank into a panel, and trimming the panel in a trim die. Trimming the panel includes heating a portion of the trim die locally adjacent a trim area of the panel at a temperature below an austenitizing (phase transformation) temperature of the material and trimming the panel with a cutting member.

Abstract: An exemplary die assembly includes a die member, a blankholder, and a collapsible spacer moveable back-and-forth between an extended position and a collapsed position. The collapsible spacer establishing a first gap between the die member and the blankholder in the extended position. The collapsible spacer establishing a second, smaller gap between the die member and blankholder in the collapsed position. An exemplary forming method includes maintaining a distance between a die member and a blankholder with a collapsible spacer when forming a workpiece into a desired shape, and collapsing the collapsible spacer to permit the die member and the blankholder to move closer together.

Abstract: An exemplary die assembly includes, among other things, a first die having a male bead, a second die having a female bead configured to receive the male bead to hold a workpiece between the first die and the second die, and a step in the male bead, the female bead, or both. An exemplary forming method includes, among other things, holding a workpiece between a male bead of a first die and a female bead of a second die, wherein the male bead, the female bead, or both have at least one step.

Abstract: An apparatus for trimming a sheet metal panel in a die set. A grinding tool including a grinding wheel driven by a rotary drive is used to grind away a shear affected zone from the trimmed edge formed by the trim steel. The grinding tool is disposed within a cavity defined by the reciprocating die and is oriented to grind away a shear affected zone as the reciprocating die moves the grinding tool into engagement with the trimmed edge.

Abstract: An exemplary die assembly includes a die member, a blankholder, and a collapsible spacer moveable back-and-forth between an extended position and a collapsed position. The collapsible spacer establishing a first gap between the die member and the blankholder in the extended position. The collapsible spacer establishing a second, smaller gap between the die member and blankholder in the collapsed position. An exemplary forming method includes maintaining a distance between a die member and a blankholder with a collapsible spacer when forming a workpiece into a desired shape, and collapsing the collapsible spacer to permit the die member and the blankholder to move closer together.

Abstract: An exemplary die assembly includes, among other things, a first die having a male bead, a second die having a female bead configured to receive the male bead to hold a workpiece between the first die and the second die, and a step in the male bead, the female bead, or both. An exemplary forming method includes, among other things, holding a workpiece between a male bead of a first die and a female bead of a second die, wherein the male bead, the female bead, or both have at least one step.

Abstract: A method of forming a hemming tool includes providing a computer generated model of a panel including a flange in an unhemmed position and of a hemming tool including a hemming surface. Hemming the flange with the hemming tool is virtually simulated in the computer generated model. At least one non-conformity is identified along the flange in the computer generated model after virtually simulating hemming. The computer generated model is then modified to a modified computer generated model by adjusting the flange to change the at least one defect. Hemming the flange in the unhemmed position with the hemming tool is then virtually simulated in the modified computer generated model in the modified computer generated model.

Abstract: A method of forming a hemming tool includes providing a computer generated model of a panel including a flange in an unhemmed position and of a hemming tool including a hemming surface. Hemming the flange with the hemming tool is virtually simulated in the computer generated model. At least one non-conformity is identified along the flange in the computer generated model after virtually simulating hemming. The computer generated model is then modified to a modified computer generated model by adjusting the flange to change the at least one defect. Hemming the flange in the unhemmed position with the hemming tool is then virtually simulated in the modified computer generated model in the modified computer generated model.