Page 39 - MetalForming December 2017

meaningful information and analyzing the impact of these measurements on manufacturing results yields better anticipation and improved manage- ment of our processes, and, ultimately, greater efficiency and improved results.
With so many variables present in today’s forming system, the metalform- ing industry must move from trial-and- error to a science and engineering approach. Experience remains vital, but we must recognize when to incor- porate new information into the prob- lem-solving process. The industry has made great progress via computer forming and structural simulation. The ease of use of these programs masks their complexity and caveats. But, devi- ations from reality can occur in many places, from a material model not matched to the sheetmetal grade, to the assumption that friction is uniform throughout the stamping. Furthermore, what metal properties should we add
to the model? We must account for the full range of potential properties for a given grade.
Sometimes new information isn’t necessary. We can benefit from looking at what we already have, just from a new perspective. For almost 20 years, Dr. Stuart Keeler has shared his knowl- edge and experience with the readers of MetalForming and the attendees of the Precision Metalforming Association’s conferences. He has helped the sheet- metal-forming industry move from knowing how a part is formed to under- standing why the sheetmetal behaved in a predictable manner and how to use this knowledge to make a better prod- uct. With Dr. Keeler’s retirement, I’m attempting to follow in his path, and I can only hope to make a similar impact on our community. I look forward to sharing my perspective with you, and look forward to your comments, ques- tions, critiques and criticisms. MF
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