SIMULATION OF SLAB EDGING BY THE 3-D RIGID-PLASTIC FEM

A simulation of edger rolling with a 3-D model is made by the rigid-pl astic FEM. The slab shape and the rolling force calculated by the FEM are in good agreement with experimental values for Al materials at amb ient temperature and 2S-Al materials at various temperatures. A new me thod in which a very thin array of elements is attached before the ent ry to cope with the singularity point is presented. The method leads t o simplification of the program, to improvment of the precision of the simulation and to acceleration of the convergence processes. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.