This thesis consists of seven papers. All deal with the modelling and
simulation of metal working processes. The aim of the research has been to
increase understanding of this kind of process by studying specific problems
and making models. The processes that have been studied are hot rolling,
bending and ironing. In this work experimental, numerical and empirical
modelling is used.
In Paper 1 the springback in V-die bending was calculated using the finite
element method. Springback was calculated for sheets of steel and aluminium
with different thickness. The results were compared to experiments.
Paper 2
analyse an ironing process where friction and clearance distance were
parameters of major importance for the outcome of the process. The
sensitivity of the real process was confirmed in the FE simulation.
Paper 3 and Paper 4 concern unplanned asymmetric rolling. In paper 3 it was
shown that many parameters influence front-end bending in plate. The main
contribution with this paper is that the problem is studied using
experimental design and the developed model shows the interacting
parameters. Paper 4 studies strip tracking in a mill when the conditions in
the roll gap vary over the strip width. The results show that it is
important to regard the mill and the roll behaviour in the FE-model.
Paper 5 and paper 6 show the application of neural networks in rolling mills.
In paper 5 a neural network based on temperature simulations is developed for
the set-up of a finishing train. It is shown that a neural network trained
on simulations can reproduce the results accurately. The neural network
became considerably faster than the original physically based model. In
Paper 6 a neural network is used for the force prediction in a plate mill.
Different combinations of input data was tested for the model the results
show that it is beneficial to include physically based data into the neural
model and that the best model is obtained when the network is fed with data
from the previous pass (adapted).
In the last paper the flatness in plate and strips is studied with the finite
element method, a comparison was made between two different FE codes.