Implementation of an open-die forging process for large hollow shafts for wind power plants with respect to an optimized microstructure
To realize large wind power plants in an economically feasible way, it is necessary to identify potential for lightweight design of the generator hollow-shafts, which are commonly produced by casting. The weight of these shafts can significantly be reduced by producing them by open-die forging, since the forming of the material leads to a higher strength, which allows to reduce the wall thickness noticeable. This paper describes the development and implementation of a forging process for hollow shafts with respect to an optimized microstructure. To numerically investigate this process, a realistic finite element simulation model was developed in a first step. The kinematic of the tools has been implemented authentically to provide a realistic material flow and process conditions. Additionally, a material model for the steel 42CrMo4 was integrated into the simulation model to predict the resulting microstructure. Using the implemented FE model, the forging process was optimized manually to achieve a homogeneous and fine-grained microstructure. The optimization was based upon a variation of different forging parameters and the sequence of forging steps. In the next step, a forging on laboratorial scale was performed to validate the simulation model. For this purpose, after forging, specimens from the hollow shaft were evaluated by metallography to determine the final grain size. A comparison of the results with the numerical simulation showed a general agreement of the measured grain size with the numerically calculated grain size. Based upon these results, the process model was transferred to an FE model with an industrial scale. By this it was possible to analyze the transferability of the used FE model regarding the assumptions about the kinematics and the sequence of the forging steps. A numerical investigation of the industrial process proved the scalability of the process to an industrial relevant geometry.
New approach for the optimization of pass-schedules in open-die forging
Open-die forging is an incremental forming process, which is mainly used for the production of large parts with high requirements regarding the mechanical properties and reliability of the forged parts. Finite element analysis (FEA) is able to simulate open die forging sequences. It is therefore very suitable to confirm, whether a selected schedule will be successful in terms of reaching the desired geometry and internal product quality. However, it is comparably slow and therefore not suitable for early process design, when out of an almost infinite number of potential sequences of strokes, an appropriate pass schedule needs to be designed. This is today usually achieved by pass schedule planning software, which takes into account volume constancy, empirical spread behavior and average temperature evolution. However, they do not account for product quality characteristics like microstructure and voids closure. In this paper recently developed fast models, which are able to calculate the temperature, equivalent strain and microstructure evolution along the core fibre of a forged workpiece are coupled with an optimization algorithm to allow automatic pass schedule layout and optimization. Different cost functions are evaluated regarding their impact on the resulting properties of the workpiece. The results indicate that for an overall optimization of open-die forging processes different phenomena and influencing parameters need to be considered, since all of these parameters have a significant influence on the resulting properties such as equivalent strain, temperature and grain size of the ingot.
Three-dimensional elasticity problems for the prismatic bar
A general solution is given to the three-dimensional linear elastic problem of a prismatic bar subjected to arbitrary tractions on its lateral surfaces, subject only to the restriction that they can be expanded as finite power series in the axial coordinate z. The solution is obtained by repeated differentiation of the tractions with respect to z, establishing a set of sub-problems . A recursive procedure is then developed for generating the solution to from that for . This procedure involves three steps: integration of the stress and displacement fields with respect to z, using an appropriate Papkovich–Neuber (P–N) representation; solution of two-dimensional in-plane and antiplane corrective problems for the tractions in that are independent of z; and expression of these corrective solutions in P–N form. The method is illustrated by an example.