The Importance of Final Validation

There are TWO ways to get “accurate” results that will match reality as closely as possible:

StampingSimulation.com offers world class AutoForm-Incremental, using two levels of service: SimulateLite and SimulateComplete.

SimulateLite is a virtual tryout service, where 3D models of the actual tooling blocks (solids or surfaces) are used in simulation to run the tool as if it were actually in the press. When combined with the correct material properties (which should be collected via our lab testing service), this is effectively a “final validation” of the tool before it is built. If problems are found, our SimulateLite base cost includes a total of 3x simulations to help find and fix the problem, before any tool steel is cut.

SimulateComplete is a process design and engineering service. Starting with no more than the final 3D product shape, StampingSimulation Engineers design and simulate a complete working process, including the removal of typical sheet metal forming problems, either by process or product changes.

In either case, there are TWO ways to get “accurate” results that will match reality as closely as possible:

1. Always send us the final 3D tooling data (we need to simulate the “actual” tool design, once it is ready, for most accurate results.) This may be AFTER a SimulateComplete job is finished or just before data is released to the shop floor for machining.

2. Perform material lab testing, that is, send a sample of “actual” material to our lab for testing and the data will be used in simulation. (Generic properties or mills certs are never the same as the real material on the shop floor).

You can read more about material lab testing here.

We call the above two steps “final validation” and it should be done on every job, just before the tool is made to ensure there are no unexpected surprise or problems that appear due to tool design changes or errors that do not match the original simulations.

You may like to read more about the importance of material properties and metal forming here:

http://www.metalformingmagazine.com/digital-magazine/2011/03/index.asp (pages 40-41)