Research on Blank Optimization Design Based on Low-Carbon and Low-Cost Blank Process Route Optimization Model

The optimization of blank design is the key to the implementation of a green innovation strategy. The process of blank design determines more than 80% of resource consumption and environmental emissions during the blank processing. Unfortunately, the traditional blank design method based on function and quality is not suitable for today’s sustainable development concept. In order to solve this problem, a research method of blank design optimization based on a low-carbon and low-cost process route optimization is proposed. Aiming at the processing characteristics of complex box type blank parts, the concept of the workstep element is proposed to represent the characteristics of machining parts, a low-carbon and low-cost multi-objective optimization model is established, and relevant constraints are set up. In addition, an intelligent generation algorithm of a working step chain is proposed, and combined with a particle swarm optimization algorithm to solve the optimization model. Finally, the feasibility and practicability of the method are verified by taking the processing of the blank of an emulsion box as an example. The data comparison shows that the comprehensive performance of the low-carbon and low-cost multi-objective optimization is the best, which meets the requirements of low-carbon processing, low-cost, and sustainable production.

Development of a Rubber Diaphragm Forming Simulation System Based on ABAQUS

Rubber diaphragm forming is one of very important manufacture method in aircraft manufacturing. In order to achieve the purpose of precise forming and high efficient simulation of the rubber diaphragm forming for the aircraft sheet metal parts in CAE software of ABAQUS, first the blank design module is developed and embedded into ABAQUS in the use of one step inverse finite element method because there is no blank design algorithm in ABAQUS. Then according to the characteristics of the rubber diaphragm forming, development technology on ABAQUS is applied to develop a rubber diaphragm forming simulation system based on combining Graphical User Interface GUI and the scripting language of Python. In this system, the parameter definition plug-in and finite element modeling module are designed to save a lot of tedious steps, so the blank parameters and process parameters can be defined rapidly and the simulation process can be simplified in ABAQUS, which can greatly improve the analysis speed and improve the efficiency of the finite element method. Finally the accuracy and effectiveness of the rubber diaphragm forming simulation system are verified by the simulation of a typical part that is a door frame bracket of aircraft.

Feasibility Study of Complex Sheet Hydroforming Process: Experimental and Modelling

The application of finite element method (FEM) in the area of metal forming and material processing has significantly increased in the recent years. The presented study provides details of the development of a finite element modelling approach to form a part via sheet hydroforming (SHF) process. Both FEM analysis and experimental trials were introduced in this study to produce a complex shape component from Inconel 718 material. The FEM provides a robust feasibility study for forming this part in terms of blank design, load path and process design optimisation. The simulated hydroformed part was validated by performing experimental trials. The analysis demonstrated close correlation between the predicted FE model and the physical trial.