DRAW-IN MAP FOR STAMPING DIE TRYOUT

Sheet metal forming is a manufacturing process in which flat sheet metal is drawn into a die cavity to form a product shape. Draw-in amount is the single most important stamping index that controls all forming characteristics (strains and stresses), formability failures (splits, wrinkles) and surface quality (distortions) on a panel. Adaptation of a new die set for repetitively stamping sheet metal parts to a part design specification is simplified by using a math-based simulation of the stamping operation under specified engineering stamping conditions for the specified part. The stamping simulations are used to create an engineered draw-in map comparing selected locations on the peripheral edge of the stamped part with corresponding locations on the peripheral edge of its original sheet metal blank. The resulting map of sheet metal draw-in dimensions reflect suitable displacements of the metal sheet between the binder ring and binder surface of the female die member at all such locations as the punch member of the die set executes its stamping operation. The engineered draw-in dimensions for a simulated part identify specific locations for adjustment of the binder ring/binder surface system in adapting the die set for production of parts.