Author(s)

F.W. Lim, Z. Hu, I. Pillinger, P. Hartley, F.R. Hall & C.E.N. Sturgess

Abstract

Application of different contact algorithms to the finite-element modelling of metal forming processes F.W. Lim, Z. Hu, I. Pillinger, P. Hartley, F.R. Hall, C.E.N. Sturgess School of Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering, The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK ABSTRACT The modelling of contact between tools and workpiece is a critical part of the finite-element analysis of metal forming processes, but is especially difficult due to the large changes in the shape of the workpiece that take place during forming operations. In this paper, four contact algorithms based on the Lagrange multiplier and the penalty function approaches are discussed and successfully applied to the modelling of a metal forming process. The results are compared and the various algorithms are assessed on the basis of computational efficiency and stability. INTRODUCTION Metal forming can be considered to be a process of interaction between a yielded work- piece

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