This paper on "Automatic Design of Tools in Forging" was presented at the NAFEMS World Congress on Design, Simulation & Optimisation: Reliability & Applicability of Computational Methods - 9-11 April 1997, Stuttgart, Germany.

Abstract

We present a shape optimisation method for the automatic design of preforming tools in forging. In the frame of the hot forging of axisymmetrical parts in two steps, we use a BFGS algorithm to minimise a selected objective function by improving the shape of the preforming tools. The method requires the analytical calculation of the gradients of the function, which has been described in earlier papers. This study focuses on the choice of a new Bspline discretization of the tool shape, and presents some results of automatic die design.