Phase-Division-Based Dynamic Optimization of Linkages for Drawing Servo Presses

Existing linkage-optimization methods are designed for mechanical presses; few can be directly used for servo presses, so development of the servo press is limited. Based on the complementarity of linkage opti- mization and motion planning, a phase-division-based linkage-optimization model for a drawing servo press is established. Considering the motion-planning principles of a drawing servo press, and taking account of work rating and efficiency, the constraints of the optimization model are constructed. Linkage is optimized in two modes： use of either constant eccentric speed or constant slide speed in the work segments. The performances of optimized link- ages are compared with those of a mature linkage SL4- 2000A, which is optimized by a traditional method. The results show that the work rating of a drawing servo press equipped with linkages optimized by this new method improved and the root-mean-square torque of the servo motors is reduced by more than 10%. This research pro- vides a promising method for designing energy-saving drawing servo presses with high work ratings.

Design of a Servo Mechanical Press with Redundant Actuation

A servo press is a new type of mechanical press that is driven by programmable motors and offers superior performance such as low noise, excellent efficiency and high precision for metal forming operations. Similar to multi-link mechanical presses, a servo mechanical press tends to grow in size as the tonnage increases that calls for larger, heavy duty servo motors, which could be expensive and may not even be available. In this paper, a new concept of servo mechanical press with redundant actuation is proposed firstly using two servo motors driving one input shaft, i.e. one-point-two-motor mode that makes it possible to produce a larger press with available servomotors. Then the punching mechanism design is detailed. The performance indices are set up including mechanical advantage reciprocal and link force ratios. A bounded feasible solution space is constructed for dimensional synthesis based on non-dimensional link lengths and assembly conditions. The performance atlases are depicted over the bounded feasible solution space that lead to a visual solution of the punching mechanism with global optimization. Finally, case studies are given to illustrate the design method with visual global optimization, and a prototype with 200 t punching force is being developed in our laboratory to demonstrate efficacy of the new concept for servo mechanical press. The presented research provides a feasible solution to the development of heavy-duty servo mechanical presses and finds potential applications in the development of other types of heavy equipments with electric drive.

Optimal Design of a Main Driving Mechanism for Servo Punch Press Based on Performance Atlases

The servomotor drive turret punch press is attracting more attentions and being developed more intensively due to the advantages of high speed,high accuracy,high flexibility,high productivity,low noise,cleaning and energy saving.To effectively improve the performance and lower the cost,it is necessary to develop new mechanisms and establish corresponding optimal design method with uniform performance indices.A new patented main driving mechanism and a new optimal design method are proposed.In the optimal design,the performance indices,i.e.,the local motion/force transmission indices ITI,OTI,good transmission workspace good transmission workspace(GTW) and the global transmission indices GTIs are defined.The non-dimensional normalization method is used to get all feasible solutions in dimensional synthesis.Thereafter,the performance atlases,which can present all possible design solutions,are depicted.As a result,the feasible solution of the mechanism with good motion/force transmission performance is obtained.And the solution can be flexibly adjusted by designer according to the practical design requirements.The proposed mechanism is original,and the presented design method provides a feasible solution to the optimal design of the main driving mechanism for servo punch press.

Effects of TiCN Composite Die with Low Thermal Conductivity on Hot Forging Performances

Titanium carbonitride based composite （TiCN-metallic binder） was developed as die material for replacement of cemented tungsten carbide. The effects of thermal conductivity characteristic of the TiCN composite on hot forging performances were investigated using a servo press with ram motion control. Three types of the die materials; （a） tool steel for hot working, （b） cemented tungsten carbide with high thermal conductivity and （c） TiCN composite with low thermal conductivity were compared. In hot upsetting of a chrome steel workpiece, the TiCN composite die was confirmed to reduce the forging load by approximately 20% at slow forging speed. This is because the die with low thermal conductivity could prevent the workpiece from rapid cooling induced by heat transfer at the die-workpiece interface. In addition, the material flow of the workpiece to a die cavity was improved. Furthermore, the wear depth/wear coefficient of the TiCN composite was lower than that of the tool steel and the cemented tungsten carbide in the numerical analysis of wear due to the combination of low thermal conductivity and high hardness.

Deep Drawing with Local Hardening on Digital Multi-axis Servo Press

The paper discusses a new drawing technology, based on a synchronized movement of ram and cushion with multiple bending operations in alternating directions called ＂bi-directional deep drawing（BDD）.＂ The goal is to avoid local thinning by strengthening the weak point using local hardening. BDD operations are realized before the conventional deep drawing process. This results in a local strain hardening at the weak point of the workpiece, which is usually located at the bottom punch radius. Two major aspects have to be given attention due to the high number of process parameters. On the one hand, for process design, it is helpful to have a tool by means of which it is possible to simultaneously create both the machine program for the servo press and the initial configuration for the process simulation. From the authors＇ point of view, this complexity can only be represented by a numerical analysis method, on the other hand. Consequently, both aspects are given attention in this paper.

Does friction contribute to formability improvement using servo press?

Servo press forming machines are advanced forming systems that are capable of imparting interrupted punch motion,resulting in enhanced room temperature formability.The exact mechanism of the formability improvement is not yet established.The contribution of interrupted motion in the ductility improvement has been studied through stress relaxation phenomena in uniaxial tensile(UT)tests.However,the reason for improved formability observed when employing servo press is complicated due to the additional contribution from frictional effects.In the present work,an attempt is made to decouple the friction effect on formability improvement numerically.The improved formability is studied using a hole expansion test(HET).The limit of forming during hole expansion is modeled using the Hosford–Coulomb(HC)damage criteria,which is implemented as a user subroutine in a commercial explicit finite element(FE)software.Only the contribution of stress relaxation is accounted for in the evolution of the damage variable during interrupted loading.Therefore,the difference between simulation and experimental hole expansion ratio(HER)can be used to decouple the friction effect from the overall formability improvement during hole expansion.The improvement in HER due to stress relaxation and friction effect is different.The study showed that the model effectively captures the hole expansion deformation process in both monotonic and interrupted loading conditions.Compared to stress relaxation,friction effect played a major role during interrupted HET.