On the Use of a Computerised Tool Kit as an Analysis Aid for Product and Process Design of Clamshell Heat Exchangers

The paper illustrates the application of a tool kit of computer programs to evaluate possible process designs and tooling details for clamshell type heat exchangers. The work demonstrates modelling rules for analyzing local, regional and global features of a complex stamping.

Local analysis is performed on each critical area using the plane strain and axisymmetric approximations as well as a three dimensional model of the beads. Global three dimensional models are then used to investigate interactions between main features. The forming forces, flywheel energy and out-of-balance forces required to select the press are evaluated.

It is shown that the design and analysis programs within the Tool Kit are complementary to each other; each providing a different information perspective, each satisfying different lead time and accuracy requirements to address design and analysis needs. The ability of comparing solutions from the different computer tools is an excellent way of building confidence when using computer aided tools in a production environment.