Automated water line design system for hot stamping dies

Abstract

An automated water channel design system for hot stamping dies includes an input module, a water channel design module, a detection module, and an output module. The water channel design module determines the number of water channels and their styles based on a water channel design knowledge base, sequentially generating surface water channels, longitudinal inlet / outlet water channels, and inlet / outlet water grooves. The detection module uses a minimum distance algorithm to calculate the minimum distance from the surface water channel to the surface and the minimum distance from the water channel to the insert hole, avoiding water channels that do not meet the requirements. The output module outputs the water channel system on the die insert in the working area and displays a detection report, allowing users to modify the water channel system design. This invention automatically analyzes and processes the characteristics of the die insert, quickly generating surface cooling water channels, longitudinal inlet / outlet water channels, and inlet / outlet water grooves, solving the problem of reliance on the experience of die designers and proficiency in CAD software operation during the hot stamping die design process, and avoiding the problems of constant adjustments, repeated testing, and long design time in water channel design.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a technology in the field of hot stamping dies, specifically an automated water circuit design system for hot stamping dies. Background Technology

[0002] Hot stamping die design is a core technology in the hot stamping forming process. Current hot stamping die cooling system designs rely heavily on the skills and experience of die designers. This typically involves repeatedly checking for water channel interference and the maximum and minimum distance constraints between the water channels and the die surface. Simulations and other methods are then used to test whether the desired cooling effect is achieved, continuously adjusting the water channel layout. In practice, hot stamping die water channel design often accounts for more than half of the total die design time, resulting in very low efficiency and accuracy. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention addresses the problem that existing water circuit designs are manual and require constant adjustments and testing throughout the process. It proposes an automated water circuit design system for hot stamping dies, which can automatically analyze and process the characteristics of die inserts and quickly generate surface cooling water circuits, longitudinal inlet / outlet water circuits, and inlet / outlet water tanks. This solves the problem of dependence on the experience of die designers and their proficiency in CAD software during the hot stamping die design process, and avoids the problems of constant adjustments, repeated testing, and long design time in water circuit design.

[0004] This invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0005] This invention relates to an automated water channel design system for hot stamping dies, comprising: an input module, a water channel design module, a detection module, and an output module. The input module designs a user interface dialog box based on an interactive interface, allowing the user to select features and input parameters, which the system then reads and integrates. The water channel design module determines the number of water channels and the water channel style based on a water channel design knowledge base, sequentially generating surface water channels, longitudinal inlet / outlet water channels, and inlet / outlet water grooves. The detection module uses a minimum distance algorithm to calculate the minimum distance from the surface water channel to the surface and the minimum distance from the water channel to the insert hole, avoiding water channels that do not meet the requirements. The output module outputs the water channel system onto the die insert in the working area and displays a detection report, allowing the user to modify the water channel system design.

[0006] The input module selects the mold insert features of the current working area, inputs water channel design parameters, and stores them in an external data table. Users can update these parameters as needed later. This input module includes a user interface design unit and a water channel design parameter library unit. The user interface design unit is developed using the Block UIStyler development tool according to the principles of water channel design. The interface dialog box contains the operations required by the user, including mold insert feature selection and water channel design parameter input. The water channel design parameters can use system default values. In addition, it includes cancel avoidance, cancel water channel processing, help documentation, designer information icon buttons, and adds a "Water Channel Intelligent Design System" menu item to the UG NX10.0 menu bar. The water channel design parameter library unit stores the parameters input by the user, overwriting the original system default values.

[0007] The mold insert features include: profile, end face, bottom face, and boundary line.

[0008] The water channel design parameters include: cooling water channel diameter, minimum / maximum distance between water channel and surface, minimum / maximum distance between water channels, distance between water channel and sidewall, water channel clearance distance, and minimum distance between water tank and sidewall.

[0009] The water channel design module includes a surface water channel design unit and an auxiliary mechanism design unit. The surface water channel design unit offsets the boundary line according to the water channel design knowledge rule base, determines the first, corner, and last water channel hole on the offset line, calculates the position distribution of the water channel center hole and the corresponding correspondence method through Newton's iteration method, determines the number of water channels, automatically judges the degree of undulation of the insert surface, determines the water channel layout style, and generates single / two / three straight pipes respectively. The auxiliary mechanism design unit generates longitudinal inlet / outlet water channels near the two end faces of the mold insert according to the longitudinal water channel rules. When adjacent cooling water channels overlap longitudinally, they share a single inlet / outlet water channel. Then, it projects the channel onto the bottom surface and stretches it to obtain the inlet / outlet water tank.

[0010] The Newton iteration method described above involves iteratively arranging water channels evenly between two adjacent water channels on the bias curve.

[0011] The method for automatically judging the degree of undulation of the insert surface is as follows: connect the corresponding water channel center holes on both ends, call the minimum distance algorithm to judge the minimum distance between the connecting line and the surface. If the distance is less than zero, it indicates that the surface undulation is large; if the distance is greater than the minimum distance from the water channel to the surface input by the user, call the maximum distance algorithm. If the maximum distance is less than the maximum distance from the water channel to the surface input by the user, it indicates that the surface undulation is small; otherwise, it indicates that the surface undulation is moderate.

[0012] The minimum distance algorithm described above uses a distance algorithm for surface objects. First, several points are discretized on the connecting line. Then, the surfaces that need to be intersected with the surface are selected. The distance value from the discrete points to the inlay surface is solved by the API function UF_MODL_ask_minimum_dist provided by the NX system. All discrete points are traversed, and the minimum value among the calculated distance values ​​is selected as the minimum distance.

[0013] The principle of the maximum distance algorithm is similar to that of the minimum distance algorithm, except that the maximum value is selected as the maximum distance when all discrete points are traversed to the distance values ​​from the mosaic surface.

[0014] The rules for determining the water channel layout are as follows: For mold inserts with small surface undulations, the water channel is configured as a single straight pipe; for mold inserts with medium surface undulations, the water channel is configured as two connected straight pipes; for mold inserts with large surface undulations, the water channel is configured as three connected straight pipes. Specifically:

[0015] a) Lay out a straight pipe: Connect the corresponding waterway center holes on both ends as the waterway centerline, and generate a straight pipe using the API function provided by the NX system according to the waterway design parameters of the input module.

[0016] b) Arrange two straight pipes: Discrete points are taken below the profile as the middle turning points of the waterway, and the center holes of the waterways at both ends are connected to form a broken line. Under the premise that the minimum distance from the broken line to the profile meets the user requirements, the minimum area judgment method is used, that is, the area that makes the broken line and the profile the smallest is selected as the center line of the waterway, and then two straight pipes are obtained by sweeping.

[0017] c) Arrange three straight pipes: Make a reference plane perpendicular to the surface of the insert through the center hole of the water channel, calculate the abrupt change point of the first derivative on the line of intersection with the offset surface of the insert, select the two optimal ones as the intermediate turning points of the water channel, connect the center hole of the water channel to the intermediate turning points respectively, sweep to obtain three straight pipes, and extend the middle straight pipe downward to the bottom surface of the insert.

[0018] The detection module performs waterway distance detection and avoidance processing after the design is completed. The detection module includes a distance detection unit and a waterway avoidance processing unit. The distance detection unit calculates the minimum / maximum distance between the waterway and the surface and the minimum distance between the waterway and the insert hole according to the minimum distance algorithm and the maximum distance algorithm. The waterway avoidance processing unit selects the appropriate avoidance method according to the distance between the waterway and the insert hole and automatically modifies the waterway to avoid the insert hole.

[0019] The output module generates a water system and a test report. The output module includes an output unit and a water system change processing unit. The output unit outputs the water system in the form of features on the mold insert in the working area based on the surface water system, longitudinal water system, and inlet / outlet water tanks obtained from the water system design module. It also displays the minimum / maximum distance between the surface water system and the surface in an information window. The water system change processing unit can perform semi-automatic change design. The user interacts to select the water system to be changed and the center point of the changed water system, and the system automatically updates the water system.

[0020] This invention relates to an automated water channel design method for hot stamping dies based on the above-mentioned system. According to the water channel design parameters obtained by user interaction and the characteristics of the die insert, the position distribution and corresponding manner of the center holes of the two water channels on the two end faces are calculated. In accordance with the principle of designing the cooling water channels with the die insert surface, the degree of surface undulation is judged, and the corresponding surface water channels and other auxiliary structures are arranged to quickly design the cooling water channel system of the die used for hot stamping of automobile B-pillars.

[0021] Technical effect

[0022] This invention integrates a water channel design rule base and, based on water channel design parameter constraints, automates the design process by replacing manual design work. It automatically generates surface water channels, longitudinal inlet / outlet water channels, and inlet / outlet water troughs. The system can automatically determine the degree of surface undulation to determine the water channel layout and employs a minimum area judgment method to obtain surface water channels that are arranged as closely as possible to the mold insert surface, thus improving cooling uniformity. Compared to existing technologies, this invention reduces reliance on mold designers' design experience and CAD software proficiency, significantly shortening design time. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the system of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the connection between the cooling water channel, the longitudinal water inlet channel, and the water inlet groove at the end face of the mold insert;

[0025] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing the arrangement of cooling water channels, longitudinal inlet / outlet water channels, and inlet / outlet water grooves on the mold insert surface when the surface undulation is small.

[0026] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing the arrangement of cooling water channels, longitudinal inlet / outlet water channels, and inlet / outlet water grooves on the mold insert surface when the surface undulation is moderate.

[0027] Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing the arrangement of cooling water channels, longitudinal inlet / outlet water channels, and inlet / outlet water grooves on the mold insert surface when the surface undulation is large.

[0028] In the diagram: 1. Inlay boundary line; 2. Cooling water passage hole; 3. Inlay end face; 4. Longitudinal water inlet; 5. Water inlet groove; 6. Overlapping longitudinal water inlet / outlet; 7. Plug hole; 8. Inlay profile; 9. Profile cooling water passage; 10. Longitudinal water outlet; 11. Water outlet groove; 12. Intermediate cooling water passage. Detailed Implementation

[0029] like Figure 1 As shown in the figure, the framework of a hot stamping die water channel design system according to this embodiment includes: input, water channel design, detection, and output modules. The input module designs a user interface dialog box based on the interactive interface, allowing the user to select features and input parameters, which the system reads and integrates. The water channel design module determines the number of water channels and the water channel style based on the water channel design knowledge base, and sequentially generates surface water channels, longitudinal inlet / outlet water channels, and inlet / outlet water grooves. The detection module calls a minimum distance algorithm to calculate the minimum distance from the surface water channel to the surface, the minimum distance from the water channel to the insert hole, etc., and avoids water channels that do not meet the requirements. The output module outputs the water channel system on the die insert in the working area and displays a detection report, allowing the user to modify the water channel system design.

[0030] like Figure 2 As shown, by offsetting the boundary line 1 of the insert, the system will automatically calculate the position distribution and corresponding method of the cooling water channel holes 2 on the end face 3 of the insert, and preliminarily determine the number of water channels; then, based on the degree of undulation of the surface, it will automatically determine whether the water channel layout is a single / two / three straight pipe.

[0031] like Figure 3 As shown, when the surface undulation is small, a single straight pipe is arranged. In this case, the water channel layout algorithm is as follows: connect the corresponding water channel center holes on both ends as the water channel centerline, and generate a straight pipe as the surface cooling water channel 9 through the API function provided by the NX system according to the water channel design parameters of the input module. The two ends of the water channel are sealed with plug holes 7.

[0032] Then, the auxiliary mechanism design unit is invoked to generate longitudinal inlet channel 4 and longitudinal outlet channel 10 based on the generated cooling water channel 9 and geometric constraints such as the distance between the longitudinal inlet / outlet channels and the sidewall. For example... Figure 2 As shown, when adjacent cooling water channels overlap longitudinally, they can share a single longitudinal inlet / outlet water channel 6. Next, the longitudinal inlet / outlet water channel ports are projected onto the bottom surface of the insert, and the minimum envelope curve of the projected portion is calculated. This curve is then stretched to obtain the inlet groove 5 and the outlet groove 11. The above is an automatic design scheme for auxiliary mechanisms such as longitudinal inlet / outlet water channels and inlet / outlet grooves. This scheme is also applicable to other mold inserts, and will not be elaborated upon further when discussed later.

[0033] like Figure 4As shown, when the surface undulation is moderate, two straight pipes are arranged. At this time, the water channel layout algorithm is as follows: Discrete points are taken below the insert surface 8 as the middle turning points of the water channel, and the center holes of the water channels at both ends are connected to form a broken line. Under the premise that the minimum distance from the broken line to the surface meets the user requirements, the minimum area judgment method is used, that is, the one that makes the area enclosed by the broken line and the surface the smallest is selected as the center line of the water channel. Then, two straight pipes are obtained by sweeping as the surface cooling water channel 9, and the ends of the water channel are sealed with plug holes 7.

[0034] like Figure 5 As shown, when the surface undulation is large, three straight pipes are arranged. At this time, the water channel layout algorithm is as follows: make a reference plane perpendicular to the insert surface 18 through the cooling water channel hole, calculate the first derivative mutation point on the intersection line with the surface offset surface, select the two optimal ones as the middle turning points of the water channel, connect the water channel center hole to the middle turning point, sweep to obtain three straight pipes, and extend the middle straight pipe downward to the bottom surface of the insert. The two ends of the surface water channel and the lower end of the middle pipe are all sealed with plug holes 21.

[0035] The detection module automatically detects the minimum / maximum distance between the water channel and the surface, and the minimum distance between the water channel on the surface and the insert hole after the water channel design module is completed, and handles water channel problems caused by insert holes or other irregular features.

[0036] The output module automatically generates corresponding surface water channels, longitudinal inlet / outlet water channels, and inlet / outlet water grooves on the mold insert after the water channel design and testing. It also generates a test report, displaying the maximum / minimum distance from the water channel to the mold insert surface and marking the water channels that need adjustment. In addition, design changes can be made. Users can interactively select the water channels to be changed and the center point of the changed water channels, and the changed water channels will be automatically updated.

[0037] like Figures 2-5 As shown, the arrow indicates the direction of water flow within the cooling water system.

[0038] In this embodiment, a hot stamping die water circuit design system is embedded into the NX UG 10.0 software as a plug-in, and its usage is the same as that of the NX UG system.

[0039] Through practical experiments, in the modeling environment, the above system was run by opening the "Intelligent Waterway Design System" menu item in the menu bar. The system selected mold insert features such as the profile, end face, bottom face, and boundary line; input waterway design parameters including a waterway diameter of 8mm, a minimum distance of 8mm between the waterway and the profile, and a waterway spacing of 8mm; and then the "Automatic Waterway Design" button was selected. The program automatically generated profile waterways, longitudinal inlet / outlet waterways, and inlet / outlet water channels sequentially. A message box popped up listing the minimum / maximum distance from each profile waterway to the profile. Waterways that did not meet the distance requirements were displayed as "Needs Adjustment," and the corresponding profile waterways were highlighted in red. Depending on the complexity of different mold insert profiles, the entire calculation process took approximately 30 seconds to 3 minutes. Then, the design modification unit was called to modify the waterways that needed adjustment. Finite element simulation was performed on the modified water channel insert and compared with the insert without cooling water channels. It was found that the former had a lower maximum temperature at the rounded corners and a more uniform temperature distribution on the mold surface, which is more conducive to achieving sufficient strength and hardness distribution in the sheet metal during actual production.

[0040] Compared with existing technologies, this system uses the external interface provided by UG NX for secondary development, realizing the automatic arrangement of surface water channels, longitudinal inlet / outlet water channels, and inlet / outlet water grooves, and automatically handling the avoidance of insert hole positions. This simplifies the tedious and complex manual design work of cooling water channels for hot stamping dies, reduces human error and reliance on experience, and improves the accuracy of design and work efficiency.

[0041] The above-described specific implementations can be partially adjusted by those skilled in the art in different ways without departing from the principles and purpose of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the claims and is not limited to the above-described specific implementations. All implementation schemes within the scope of the claims are bound by the present invention.

Claims

1. An automated water circuit design system for hot stamping dies, characterized in that, include: The system comprises an input module, a waterway design module, a detection module, and an output module. The input module designs a user interface dialog box based on the interactive interface, allowing users to select features and input parameters, which the system then reads and integrates. The waterway design module determines the number of waterways and their styles based on a waterway design knowledge base, sequentially generating surface waterways, longitudinal inlet / outlet waterways, and inlet / outlet water channels. The detection module uses a minimum distance algorithm to calculate the minimum distance between surface waterways and the surface, and the minimum distance between waterways and insert holes, avoiding waterways that do not meet the requirements. The output module outputs the waterway system onto the mold inserts in the working area and displays a detection report, allowing users to modify the waterway system design. The water channel design module includes a surface water channel design unit and an auxiliary mechanism design unit. The surface water channel design unit offsets the boundary line according to the water channel design knowledge rule base, determines the first, corner, and last water channel hole on the offset line, calculates the position distribution of the water channel center hole and the corresponding correspondence method through Newton's iteration method, determines the number of water channels, automatically judges the degree of undulation of the insert surface, determines the water channel layout style, and generates single / two / three straight pipes respectively. The auxiliary mechanism design unit generates longitudinal inlet / outlet water channels near the two end faces of the mold insert according to the longitudinal water channel rules. When adjacent cooling water channels overlap longitudinally, they share a single inlet / outlet water channel. Then, it projects the channel onto the bottom surface and stretches it to obtain the inlet / outlet water tank.

2. The automated water circuit design system for hot stamping dies according to claim 1, characterized in that, The input module selects the mold insert features of the current working area, inputs water channel design parameters, and stores them in an external data table. Users can update these parameters as needed later. This input module includes a user interface design unit and a water channel design parameter library unit. The user interface design unit is developed using the Block UI Styler development tool based on the principles of water channel design requirements. The interface dialog box contains user-required operations, mold insert feature selection, and water channel design parameter input. The water channel design parameters can use system default values. It also includes options to cancel obstacle avoidance, cancel water channel processing, and icons for help documentation and designer information. A "Water Channel Intelligent Design System" menu item is added to the UG NX10.0 menu bar. The water channel design parameter library unit stores user-input parameters, overwriting existing system default values. The mold insert features include: a profile surface, an end face, a bottom surface, and a boundary line; The water channel design parameters include: cooling water channel diameter, minimum / maximum distance between water channel and surface, minimum / maximum distance between water channels, distance between water channel and sidewall, water channel clearance distance, and minimum distance between water tank and sidewall.

3. The automated water circuit design system for hot stamping dies according to claim 1, characterized in that, The Newton iteration method described above involves iteratively arranging water channels evenly between two adjacent water channels on the bias curve. The method for automatically judging the degree of undulation of the insert surface is as follows: connect the corresponding center holes of the water channels on both ends, call the minimum distance algorithm to judge the minimum distance between the connecting line and the surface. If the distance is less than zero, it indicates that the surface undulation is large; if the distance is greater than the minimum distance from the water channel to the surface input by the user, call the maximum distance algorithm. If the maximum distance is less than the maximum distance from the water channel to the surface input by the user, it indicates that the surface undulation is small; otherwise, it indicates that the surface undulation is moderate. The minimum distance algorithm described above uses a distance algorithm for surface objects. First, several points are discretized on the connecting line. Then, the surfaces that need to be intersected with the surface are selected. The distance value from the discrete points to the inlay surface is solved by the API function UF_MODL_ask_minimum_dist provided by the NX system. All discrete points are traversed, and the minimum value among the calculated distance values ​​is selected as the minimum distance.

4. The automated water circuit design system for hot stamping dies according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rules for determining the water channel layout are as follows: for mold inserts with small surface undulations, the water channel is set as a single straight pipe; for mold inserts with medium surface undulations, the water channel is set as two straight pipes connected together; and for mold inserts with large surface undulations, the water channel is set as three straight pipes connected together.

5. The automated water circuit design system for hot stamping dies according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that, The rules for determining the waterway layout specifically include: a) Lay out a straight pipe: Connect the corresponding waterway center holes on both ends as the waterway centerline, and generate a straight pipe using the API function provided by the NX system according to the waterway design parameters of the input module; b) Arrange two straight pipes: Discrete points are taken below the profile as the middle turning points of the waterway, and the center holes of the waterways at both ends are connected to form a broken line. Under the premise that the minimum distance from the broken line to the profile meets the user requirements, the minimum area judgment method is used, that is, the one that makes the area enclosed by the broken line and the profile the smallest is selected as the center line of the waterway, and then two straight pipes are obtained by sweeping. c) Arrange three straight pipes: Make a reference plane perpendicular to the surface of the insert through the center hole of the water channel, calculate the abrupt change point of the first derivative on the line of intersection with the offset surface of the insert, select the two optimal ones as the intermediate turning points of the water channel, connect the center hole of the water channel to the intermediate turning points respectively, sweep to obtain three straight pipes, and extend the middle straight pipe downward to the bottom surface of the insert.

6. The automated water circuit design system for hot stamping dies according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection module performs waterway distance detection and avoidance processing after the design is completed. The detection module includes a distance detection unit and a waterway avoidance processing unit. The distance detection unit calculates the minimum / maximum distance between the waterway and the surface and the minimum distance between the waterway and the insert hole according to the minimum distance algorithm and the maximum distance algorithm. The waterway avoidance processing unit selects the appropriate avoidance method according to the distance between the waterway and the insert hole and automatically modifies the waterway to avoid the insert hole.

7. The automated water circuit design system for hot stamping dies according to claim 1, characterized in that, The output module generates a water system and a test report. The output module includes an output unit and a water system change processing unit. The output unit outputs the water system in the form of features on the mold insert in the working area based on the surface water system, longitudinal water system, and inlet / outlet water tanks obtained from the water system design module. It also displays the minimum / maximum distance between the surface water system and the surface in an information window. The water system change processing unit can perform semi-automatic change design. The user interacts to select the water system to be changed and the center point of the changed water system, and the system automatically updates the water system.

8. A method for designing an automated water circuit for a hot stamping die based on the system described in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, Based on the water channel design parameters and mold insert features obtained from user interaction, the position distribution and corresponding method of the center holes of the two water channels on the two end faces are calculated. In accordance with the principle of designing the cooling water channels with the mold insert surface, the degree of surface undulation is judged, and the corresponding surface water channels and other auxiliary structures are arranged to quickly design the mold cooling water channel system for hot stamping of automobile B-pillar.

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