Abstract There are many sources of manufacturing variations in sheet metal assemblies, such as automotive bodies. These include non-isotropic material properties from cold rolling, springback in stamping, and distortion from residual stresses when components are clamped and spot welded. FE simulations have been used to predict these variations in order to better design tooling and processes. Such simulations require expertise in complex, multi-stage nonlinear analysis. We are investigating the feasibility of training machine learning algorithms in order to democratize these types of analyses. This requires the curation of large, validated, and balanced data sets. To this end, we have developed a multi-stage finite element simulation workflow encompassing component stamping and joining with a focus on examining deformations due to springback in two-part assemblies. Three connected simulations comprise the workflow: (1) component stamping with capture of springback, (2) assembly clamping, and (3) assembly joining, then release. The workflow utilizes explicit dynamic finite element analysis (FEA) and includes the transfer of intermediate solutions (geometries/stresses), as well as extraction of key geometric parameters of springback from both component- and assembly-level simulations. The NUMISHEET 1993 U-draw/bending benchmark was referenced for its tooling geometry and utilized for verification of the forming process simulation; variations of material and geometry were also simulated. In summary, this work provides a means of generating a design space of flexible two-part assemblies for applications such as dataset generation, design optimization, and machine learning.
more »
« less
Generating Large Datasets of Simplified Automotive Body-in-White Structures to Predict Springback Using Machine Learning
Abstract Automotive structures are primarily made of flexible sheet metal assemblies. Flexible assemblies are prone to manufacturing variations like springback which may be caused due to non-isotropic material properties from cold rolling, springback in the forming process, and distortion from residual stresses when components are clamped, and spot welded. This paper describes the curation of a large data set for machine learning. The domain is that of flexible assembly manufacturing in multi stages: component stamping, configuring components into sub-assemblies, clamping and joining. The dataset is generated by nonlinear FEA. Due to the size of the data set, the simulation workflow has been automated and designed to produce variety and balance of key parameters. Simulation results are available not just as raw FE deformed (sprung back) geometries and residual stresses at different manufacturing stages, but also in the form of variation zones and fits. The NUMISHEET 1993 U-draw/bending was used a reference for tooling geometry and verification of the forming process. Additional variation in the dataset is obtained by using multiple materials and geometrical dimensions. In summary, the proposed simulation method provides a means of generating a design space of flexible multi-part assemblies for applications such as dataset generation, design optimization, and machine learning.
more »
« less
- Award ID(s):
- 2029905
- PAR ID:
- 10529303
- Publisher / Repository:
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers
- Date Published:
- ISBN:
- 978-0-7918-8729-5
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Location:
- Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
More Like this
-
-
Abstract Sheet metal stamped and welded assemblies, such as the ones used in automotive body-in-white (BIW) structures, have various sources of manufacturing variations during stamping and assembly processes. One of the major contributors to these variations is the springback on clamping release due to elastic recovery. Mitigating these variations requires expert knowledge of mechanical behavior, tooling, and process design. No analytical models can be used for the variety of geometries. Nonlinear FEA is also being used to predict springback, but it is time-consuming and requires specialized expertise, which makes it difficult to use in design exploration. Machine learning holds the promise of democratizing such complex analyses. This paper presents several case studies for data curation/generation, ML training, and validation. The prediction and quantification of the effects of springback are done on two levels: (i) low granularity, which involves predicting variations in certain parameters that are critical to measuring and understand spring back, and (ii) high granularity, predicting the shape of the component while taking into account the effects of springback and the stresses in the components. The data required to train, test, and validate the ML models were generated previously using an automated, integrated multi-stage simulation approach that was necessary to produce large datasets. Stamping simulations were validated against NUMISHEET benchmarks and also compared to test results published by other researchers. Subsequently, machine learning models were trained on the curated dataset to predict 2D stamped component shapes after springback and stress distributions across these shapes. For the assembly dataset, parameters such as unconstrained planar minimum zone magnitudes, angles between component planes, and twist angles are predicted using machine learning models, including linear and polynomial regression, decision trees, gradient boosting regression, support vector regression, and fully connected neural networks, and compared for their performance using consistent metrics. Hyper-parameter tuning is performed to optimize model performance, with artificial neural networks demonstrating promising capabilities in understanding variations in forming and multi-stage assembly processes.more » « less
-
Abstract Aerospace composites assemblies/joining demand ultra-high precision due to critical safety requirements, which necessitate adherence to indicators of risk that are often difficult to quantify. This study examines one important indicator, the residual stress that arises as a result of dimensional mismatch between mating components during the composite structures assembly process. Conventional simulations of large components assemblies investigated the process at a local or global scale, but lacked detailed exploitation of multi-layer stress analysis at integrated scale for composite structures. We develop a novel digital twin simulation for joining large composite structures with mechanical fasteners. The digital twin simulation integrates global features and local features for detailed investigation of stresses. We perform a statistical analysis to better understand the numerical properties of residual stresses after the fastening. Goodness-of-Fit tests and normality tests are used to explore the probabilistic distributions of the stresses exceeding a chosen safety threshold. The case study is conducted based on composite fuselage joining. The results show the stresses in composite structures assembly follow extreme value distributions (such as Weibull, Gumbel) rather than the widely used Gaussian distribution. The stresses in joined composite structures differ across layers, which can be attributed to the anisotropic material behavior.more » « less
-
In recent decades, laser additive manufacturing has seen rapid development and has been applied to various fields, including the aerospace, automotive, and biomedical industries. However, the residual stresses that form during the manufacturing process can lead to defects in the printed parts, such as distortion and cracking. Therefore, accurately predicting residual stresses is crucial for preventing part failure and ensuring product quality. This critical review covers the fundamental aspects and formation mechanisms of residual stresses. It also extensively discusses the prediction of residual stresses utilizing experimental, computational, and machine learning methods. Finally, the review addresses the challenges and future directions in predicting residual stresses in laser additive manufacturing.more » « less
-
Abstract Single point incremental forming (SPIF) is a flexible manufacturing process that has applications in industries ranging from biomedical to automotive. In addition to rapid prototyping, which requires easy adaptations in geometry or material for design changes, control of the final part properties is desired. One strategy that can be implemented is stress superposition, which is the application of additional stresses during an existing manufacturing process. Tensile and compressive stresses applied during SPIF showed significant effects on the resulting microstructure in stainless steel 304 truncated square pyramids. Specifically, the amount of martensitic transformation was increased through stress superposed incremental forming. Finite element analyses with advanced material modeling supported that the stress triaxiality had a larger effect than the Lode angle parameter on the phase transformation that occurred during deformation. By controlling the amount of tensile and compressive stresses superposed during incremental forming, the microstructure of the final component can be manipulated based on the intended application and desired final part properties.more » « less
An official website of the United States government

