Qualitative interview-based survey on acquisition methods for material data used in industrial sheet metal forming simulations

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Sheet metal forming simulations are widely used for optimizing the part geometry and material utilization. The accuracy of such simulations largely depends on the quality of the data available for creating the models, which particularly comprise component and tool geometries, tribological conditions and material properties. This work focuses on strategies and methodologies for acquiring material data used in finite element (FE) simulations. Semi-structured interviews with simulation experts from industry were conducted within the framework of a qualitative exploratory survey. The interviews followed a guided framework that ensured consistency while allowing for an open discussion. According to common qualitative survey strategies, all interviews were recorded and transcribed. To structure the information, the transcripts were analyzed and categorized using a coding scheme. Finally, the information was evaluated and interpreted to derive common practices in material characterization for forming simulations. The interviews revealed that similar simulation software tools and material testing methods are used for determining necessary material data. However, different approaches exist for modelling tribology, defining yield surfaces, selecting flow curve criteria and creating forming limit curves (FLC). Highly accurate material data improve the predictive quality of the simulations, but the costs for the acquisition of these data are often considerable.