FEM Investigation on Thermal Effects on Force in High-Speed Blanking of Mild Steel

Abstract

This study consists of a numerical investigation of high-speed blanking of mild steel. A finite element model of the high-speed blanking process was developed using ABAQUS/explicit, and the strain rate and temperature-dependent behavior of the work material were included in the model by using the Johnson-Cook hardening model for mild steel. The blanking simulations had a punch speed ranging from 30 mm/s to 60 mm/s to study the influence of the thermal behavior of mild steel on the blanking force. In addition, the influence that the clearance, thickness of the work material and tool edge radius had on the blanking force was studied while changing the punch speed. The simulations revealed that the blanking force decreases when the punch speed increases beyond a certain amount as a result of thermal softening of the mild steel. Also, the clearance, material thickness and tool edge radius were observed to influence the development of the temperature. The results of this study can help understand the high-speed blanking process in order to design an apparatus for further research into high-speed blanking.