Projects B: Systems

 Project area B is focussed on the development of tool production methods for sheet-bulk metal forming. This is supplemented by the development relevant measuring and monitoring devices and technololgies in order to analyze the components of the manufacturing system as well as the workpieces theselves  As friction has a significant influence on the processes of sheet-bulk metal  forming and is directly connected to the forming tool, the tribological system is researched in several projects of project area B. Research is focussed towards tools surface design in order to support process design as well as to tool wear reduction and adaptation of the tribological system to the local requirements within sheet-bulk metal forming. Project area B is completed by a project researching towards design for manufacture. This project is of special importance as it has to collect and summarise the results of all the other projects within the TCRC in order to support the construction sufficiently to guarantee functional workpieces.

The fundamentals of this field of research have been researched in the first funding period of the TCRC. The developed technologies were supported with measurment and inspection methods, which, on the one hand , analysed the functionality of single components of the manufacturing system and, on the other hand, enabled the direct influence on the forming process by means of closed loop control in order to achieve suitable workpieces. The accompanying self learning construction system assists both product and process development by means of a knowledge base. The results of project area B need to be deepened and transferred to improved process conditions in project area A. In this field the application of locally adapted and optimised surface properties for the forming tools with regards to the running-in characteristics of the tools is of increasing importance.

Project area B consists of 8 research project involving 6 institutes and 8 researchers. It covers all 3 universities involved in TCRC 73. In Dortmund machining of tools and the influence of the machining step on the tools surface are subjected as well as the influence of bionic structures on the SBMF-process. In Hannover the horizontal load on the machine tools, its effect on the process and the possibilities to compensate it are researched as well as grinding strategies that are to improve tool properties are investigated. The focus in Erlangen is on the knowledge based system and investigations on coatings.