Some developments in the numerical simulation of metal forming processes

The paper describes developments in the numerical analysis of metal forming processes mainly motivated by industrial applications. It deals with a complete consideration of the unsteady contact developing between the material and the die, the regeneration of the finite element mesh during the course of the calculation, and with the simulation of superplastic forming processes. In particular, an approach relating both the contact pressure and the friction force to the motion of the material relative to the die surface leads to a convenient computational procedure and to a smooth numerical behaviour under friction. The topological part of the contact algorithm appears well‐suited also for the redefinition of the discretization mesh. As a selected application, superplastic forming is considered in conclusion. Industrial practice requires the adjustment of the forming pressure to a prescribed value of the maximum rate of deformation in the material.