Evolutionary optimisation of tool shape parameters in sheet metal forming

Abstract

The numerical simulation of sheet metal forming processes is extensively used forthe analysis and the design of industrial parts avoiding the long and expensiveexperimental tryout procedures. This paper presents a new computational methodcoupling a finite element forming simulation and an evolutionary algorithm, in orderto optimise process parameters of sheet metal forming. The forming analysis isperformed by a commercial code and the evolutionary algorithm is described here.Applications are presented to demonstrate the applicability of the proposedmethod considering several relevant parameters including punch and die radii, punchand die angles and blank-holder force.