Philipp Thumann, M.Sc.

To improve the efficiency in sheet metal manufacturing, more and more press systems with increased stroke rates are in use. Due to the increased stroke rates, the structural-dynamic loads too increase. Thereby, not only the press systems are highly loaded, but also the tools for manufacturing the blanks. This has to be accounted for in the early design phase of the tools in the virtual process chain.

Because of safety requirements, high safety factors are used during the design of the tools, leading to high manufacturing costs. Furthermore, stroke rates are limited due to the movement of high masses of the tools, reducing the productivity of the press system.

To reach smaller allowable safety factors, resulting eventually in fewer costs, and to improve the stroke-limitation, a simulation methodology for the evaluation of the durability of selected tool components is developed.