FEM numerical simulations of the mechanical clinching process of HC260Y steel

Abstract

This paper presents the results of FEM numerical simulations, of the HC260Y steelsheet mechanical clinching process. The starting tool parameters were chosen for the central composite design of experiments, in order to find out which tool parameters have the largest contribution to the sheet joint interlock. Assessment of the mathematical model, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed within the design of experiments. This numerical analysis was done to find the most suitable tool geometry and tool work stresses, so that the tool sets for further experiments could be manufactured and results compared with numerical results.