Friction modelling in sheet metal forming simulations: application and validation on an U-Bend product
The accuracy of sheet metal forming simulations strongly depends on, amongst others, friction modelling. The industrial standard is to use the Coulomb friction model with a constant coefficient of friction. However, it is known that the true friction conditions are dependent on the tribology system, i.e. the applied sheet material, coating and tooling material, the lubrication and process conditions. In this paper, an approach is presented for friction modelling in sheet metal forming simulations. The approach is applied to the forming of U-bend test parts for varying tribology systems as commonly used in the automotive indus-try. The friction conditions per system are described using a physically-based friction model included in the Triboform Software. Friction in the U-bend simulations are described as a function of local contact pressure, relative sliding velocity and straining in the sheet material. The simulation results are validated using U-bend forming experiments. It is concluded that the numerical prediction of the punch force magnitude is highly sensitive to friction. In addition to an overall improvement of the prediction accuracy of stamping simulations by including friction modelling, this approach enables to model friction and the effect of varying tribology systems on the final stamped part quality.
Friction in Sheet Metal Forming Simulations: Modelling of New Sheet Metal Coatings and Lubricants
The quality of sheet metal formed parts is strongly dependent on the tribology and friction conditions that are acting in the actual forming process. These friction conditions are then dependent on the tribology system, i.e. the applied sheet material, coating and tooling material, the lubrication and process conditions. Although friction is of key importance, it is currently not considered in detail in sheet metal forming simulations. The current industrial standard is to use a constant (Coulomb) coefficient of friction, which limits the overall simulation accuracy. Since a few years back there is an ongoing collaboration on friction modelling between Volvo Cars, Tata Steel, TriboForm Engineering, AutoForm Engineering and the University of Twente. In previous papers by the authors, results from lab scale studies and studies of a door-inner part in Volvo Cars production have been presented. This paper focuses on the tribology conditions during early tryout of dies for new car models with an emphasis on the effect of the usage of new steel material coatings and lubricants on forming results. The motivation for the study is that the majority of the forming simulations at Volvo Cars are performed to secure the die tryout, i.e. solve as many problems as possible in forming simulations before the final design of the die and milling of the casting. In the current study, three closure parts for the new Volvo V60 model have been analysed with both Coulomb and TriboForm friction models. The simulation results from the different friction models are compared using thickness measurements of real parts, and 3D geometry scanning data of the parts. Results show the improved prediction accuracy of forming simulations when using the TriboForm friction model, demonstrating the ability to account for the effect of new sheet metal coatings and lubricants in sheet metal forming simulations.
A feasibility study of adolescent sex education: medical students as peer educators in Edinburgh schools
Objectives To determine the feasibility of medical students being involved in sex education in secondary schools, as lesson leaders in peer group discussions.