IMPROVEMENT OF OPTIMUM PROCESS DESIGN SYSTEM BY NUMERICAL-SIMULATION

Recently, the optimum forming process design systems based on computer simulation have been actively developed. Until now, the optimum proce ss design system was developed in conjunction with the nonlinear FEA c ode and nonlinear optimization code. In the latter code, the 'sweeping simplex (S.S.) method' which could find the global minimum was recent ly proposed. This numerical system was applied to the process design w ith two design variables of complicated shape cup deep drawing. This s ystem could search optimum condition efficiently. In the present paper , we applied the system to a working process design with three design variables. To consider three design variables, we make the searched re gion a 3-D region and improve this system to increase its efficiency t o search. The improved system is applied to the optimum process design of the complex cup deep drawing. Further, the validity of this system is verified by comparison to experimental results. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.