Simulations and Optimization of Manufacturing of Automotive Parts

Abstract

Fast progress in modeling of metal processing encourage researchers to look for better technologies, which can be done through optimization of their design. Authors have developed the computer system ManuOpti for optimization of manufacturing chains based on materials processing. Application of this system to simulations and optimization of manufacturing of automotive parts was the general objective of the paper. ManuOpti software enables performing optimization by the user with little experience in the computer science and in the optimization methods. On the other hand, the application of the optimization techniques is efficient only when reliable material models and accurate numerical methods are applied. Therefore, validation of models describing microstructure evolution in automotive steel (Dual Phase-DP) was the next objective of the paper. Physical simulations of thermal cycles were performed and the experimental results were used to validate the model. Numerical tests with the ManuOpti system recapitulate the paper. Case studies for the tests included various thermal cycles of the continuous annealing of DP steels.