A Simultaneous Engineering Approach for Free Form Bifurcated Sheet Metal Products

Abstract

In this paper a simultaneous engineering approach is introduced to cope with the complex and elaborative engineering design process for bifurcated sheet metal products. The design process comprises product design, sheet blank design, and tool design. Free form surfaces derived from mathematical optimization processes are the starting point for product, tool, and sheet blank design. Part design is strongly connected and references to the underlying free form surface. For the 3D-CAD models a modeling concept is introduced where free form surfaces are referenced from an external source. A workflow to manage the design process and to deal with possible changes and iterations during product development is also developed and presented.