A Sheet Metal Stamping Classification System for Product/Process Design and Material Specification

The paper describes a system currently under development, intended to be the spine for organizing an open-ended knowledge-based system for stampings within the sheet metal industry. The system is designed for those not necessarily expert in plasticity and strain theory, as well as applications where lead time is of prime importance. The objectives of the system are to develop:

• i
  a common vocabulary for BASIC SHAPES and DEFORMATION MODES
• ii
  an open-ended filing system for the organization of the knowledge i.e. the documentation of solutions and procedures used, as well as assessing historical data
• iii
  a procedure for deriving the FIRST FORM SHAPE and the number of forming stages and
• iv
  a system for the assessment of forming severity, force and energy calculations, material selection, tribological requirements and process planning.

The system is designed for Product Designers, Estimators, Process Designers, Materials Selection Specialists, and others in peripheral areas of sheet metal stampings.