System and method for determining material utilization percentage of digitally stamped parts

Abstract

A system for determining a material utilization percentage during a stamping process includes a first input comprising at least one finite element model (FEM) data file; a second input comprising a margin between an edge of a raw blank and an edge of an unfolded blank geometry; a third input comprising a selected material type; a graphical user interface (GUI); a finite element method (FEM) model database for receiving the first input via the GUI; a material database for receiving the third input via the GUI; and a controller configured to calculate a mass of the raw blank and a mass of a formed part based on the first input, the second input, and the third input, and to calculate the material utilization percentage based on the mass of the raw blank and the mass of the formed part.

Description

[0001] introduce The concepts described herein generally relate to systems and methods for determining the percentage of material utilization for stamped parts. More specifically, aspects of this disclosure relate to a mass-based system and method for determining material utilization during a computer numerical control (CNC) sheet metal stamping process based on the mass ratio of the formed part to the part cut.

[0002] Sheet metal stamping processes generally involve using a stamping press and various techniques, such as, but not limited to, punching, drawing, thinning, bending, piercing and / or trimming, to cut and form sheet metal into the desired shape.

[0003] Punching involves using a punch and a set of dies to cut a sheet of metal into approximate sizes to form a part. Deep drawing includes deep drawing, in which the cut material is gradually shaped, for example, but not limited to, a cylindrical shape, by pulling the cut material across a die with a decreasing radius. Thinning is a process that can be used after deep drawing; thinning involves further pressing the deep-drawn cut material with a specialized thinning die to uniformly reduce its wall thickness while maintaining the overall shape. Bending, if required, involves using a specialized bending die to form flanges and / or lips. Punching, if required, involves using a punch to form an opening within the part. Trimming involves removing excess material from the edges of the part to achieve precise dimensions.

[0004] CNC sheet metal stamping processes automate the control, movement, and precision of the machine tools used in each of the techniques described above by using pre-programmed computer software.

[0005] Area-based material utilization methods are used to calculate sheet metal utilization during CNC stamping processes, using the ratio between the area of ​​the final part and the area of ​​the part cut. However, the accuracy of area-based material utilization methods is reduced because the cut thickness can vary in processes such as deep drawing and / or thinning (which are generally used to manufacture, for example, but not limited to, battery cans used in battery cells), leading to unreliable material costs and inventory management. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In light of the above discussion, it is useful to develop a system and method for determining the mass-based material utilization percentage of stamped parts based on the mass ratio of the initial cut to the formed part, in order to provide a more accurate material utilization percentage, thereby leading to increased material costs and inventory management reliability.

[0007] The stamping process may include feeding a coil of metal material (e.g., but not limited to aluminum and / or steel) into a die that can move vertically to cut an initial cut from the coil of metal material having a length, width and a first thickness.

[0008] The initial cut material can then be fed into a deep drawing die having an upper die and a cut material holder that can move vertically along a first support to draw the initial cut material into a cavity, reducing the first thickness of the initial cut material to an in-process cut material with a second thickness, wherein the in-process cut material may include a thickness reduction of up to 30% compared to the first thickness.

[0009] The material cut during processing can then be fed into a thinning die that can move vertically along a second support to reduce the second thickness of the material cut during processing to a formed part with a third thickness, the formed part including a thickness reduced by up to 50% compared to the second thickness.

[0010] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the initial cut may have a length, a width, a first thickness, and an initial cut edge, which may be defined as the circumference of the initial cut. The unfolded cut geometry has an edge that can be defined as the circumference of the unfolded cut geometry. A margin may be defined between the edge of the initial cut and the edge of the unfolded cut geometry.

[0011] The cutting process may include a second length and a second thickness.

[0012] The formed component may include a second length and a third thickness.

[0013] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a system for determining the percentage of material utilization during a stamping process may include a first input, a second input, a third input, a graphical user interface (GUI), a finite element method (FEM) model database for receiving the first input via the GUI, a material database for receiving the third input, and a controller configured to determine an output based on the first, second, and third inputs, the output of which may include the percentage of material utilization.

[0014] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a method for determining the material utilization percentage (MU) during a stamping process is also disclosed.

[0015] The method for determining the percentage of material utilization may include: receiving first user input via a graphical user interface (GUI), wherein the first user input may include at least one finite element model (FEM) data file, wherein the GUI may be configured to send the first user input to an FEM model database; reading at least one of an unfolded cutting geometry and / or a formed part geometry via the controller, each of the cutting geometry and / or the formed part geometry being represented by a plurality of elements, wherein the unfolded cutting geometry and / or the formed part geometry can be read from at least one received FEM data file, and wherein the plurality of elements of each of the unfolded cutting geometry and / or the formed part geometry may include a plurality of nodes that can be associated with each of the plurality of elements; determining, via the controller, the nominal cutting thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry based on the plurality of elements read from the FEM model database; receiving second user input via the GUI, wherein the second user input may include a margin between the edge of the initial cut and the edge of the unfolded cutting geometry, wherein the GUI may be configured to send the second user input to the controller; determining, via the controller, the length of the initial cut and Width, wherein each of the length and width of the initial cut can be determined based on multiple nodes associated with each of multiple elements representing the unfolded cut geometry, and a received margin; receiving third user input via a GUI, wherein the third user input may include a selected material type, and wherein the GUI can be configured to send the third user input to a controller; comparing the selected material type with material data that may be stored in a material database via the controller, wherein the material data may include multiple material types and at least one material property that may be associated with each of the multiple material types; identifying at least one material property of the received selected material type via the controller; calculating the mass of the initial cut and the mass of the formed part via the controller, wherein the mass of the initial cut is calculated based on the nominal thickness of the determined unfolded cut geometry and the determined length and width of the initial cut, and the mass of the formed part is calculated based on the identified at least one material property, and the cumulative mass of each of multiple elements representing the unfolded cut geometry and / or the formed part geometry; and calculating a material utilization percentage via the controller based on the calculated mass of the initial cut and the mass of the formed part.

[0016] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the initial cut is defined as being coplanar with the XY plane, and determining the nominal cut thickness of the unfolded cut geometry based on multiple elements may include: reading multiple elements representing the unfolded cut geometry from an FEM model database via a controller; and cyclically passing through the multiple elements representing the unfolded cut geometry via the controller.

[0017] The loop, which represents multiple elements of the unfolded cutting geometry, may include: reading part identifiers from the FEM model database via a controller, and the element thickness of each of the multiple elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry; determining, via the controller, the maximum thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry based on the element thickness of each of the multiple elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry; determining, via the controller, the minimum thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry based on the element thickness of each of the multiple elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry; calculating, via the controller, the absolute thickness difference of the unfolded cutting geometry based on the determined maximum thickness and the determined minimum thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry; and determining, via the controller, the nominal cutting thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry based on the average of the determined maximum thickness and the determined minimum thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry when the calculated absolute thickness difference may be greater than a predefined allowable thickness difference.

[0018] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the method may further include, when the determined absolute thickness difference is less than a predefined allowable thickness difference, identifying the nominal cut thickness as uniform via a controller.

[0019] According to one aspect of this disclosure, determining the initial cut length and width may include: reading a plurality of nodes from an FEM model database via a controller, the plurality of nodes being associated with each of a plurality of elements representing the unfolded cut geometry; and cyclically traversing the plurality of nodes that can be associated with each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cut geometry via the controller.

[0020] The loop through multiple nodes that can be associated with each of the multiple elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry may include: reading the X, Y, and Z coordinates of each of the multiple nodes that can be associated with each of the multiple elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry via a controller; identifying the minimum X value, maximum X value, minimum Y value, and maximum Y value of the initial cut via a controller; determining the length of the initial cut based on the identified minimum X value and the identified maximum X value via a controller; and determining the width of the initial cut based on the identified minimum Y value and the identified maximum Y value via a controller.

[0021] The following equation [Equation 1] can be used to calculate the component ( i Multiple elements j The cumulative mass of each : [Equation 1]; in: =Density of the sheet material; =Components ( i The number of elements in ) =Components ( i The number of elements in ) =Component identifier, where i It equals 1 or 2; =The thickness of the j-th element of the i-th component identified; and =The area of ​​the j-th element of the i-th component identified.

[0022] The initial mass of the cut material can be calculated using the following equations [Equation 2] and [Equation 3] ( ) and the quality of the formed components ( ): [Equation 2]; in: L = the length of the initial cut; W = the width of the initial cut; = The density of the plate material; and t = initial cutting thickness; and [Equation 3].

[0023] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the percentage of material utilization can be calculated using the following equation [Equation 4]: [Equation 4]

[0024] By providing a system and method for determining the percentage of material utilization for stamped parts based on the ratio of initial cut quality to the quality of the formed part, the percentage of material utilization is calculated with improved accuracy, thereby leading to improved material costs and inventory management reliability.

[0025] It should be understood that by providing a material utilization percentage calculated with improved accuracy, the material utilization percentage can be used by other systems, including but not limited to material ordering systems, to improve material costs and inventory management reliability by reducing the amount of material ordered, thereby more closely reflecting the actual amount of material to be ordered and the actual amount of material on hand.

[0026] The above-described features and advantages, as well as other features and accompanying advantages, will become apparent when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims, based on the following detailed description of illustrative examples and models used to carry out this disclosure. Furthermore, this disclosure expressly includes combinations and sub-combinations of the elements and features presented above and below.

[0027] This disclosure provides the following examples.

[0028] Example 1. A method for determining the percentage of material utilization during a stamping process, the method comprising: The system receives first user input via a graphical user interface (GUI), wherein the first user input includes at least one finite element method (FEM) data file, and wherein the GUI is configured to send the first user input to a finite element method (FEM) model database. The unfolded cutting geometry and / or the formed part geometry are read via a controller, each of the unfolded cutting geometry and / or the formed part geometry being represented by a plurality of elements from the FEM model database, wherein the unfolded cutting geometry and / or the formed part geometry are read from at least one received FEM data file, and wherein each of the plurality of elements representing each of the unfolded cutting geometry and / or the formed part geometry includes a plurality of nodes associated with each of the plurality of elements; The nominal cutting thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry is determined via the controller based on the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry read from the FEM model database. The second user input is received via the GUI, wherein the second user input includes a margin between the edge of the initial cut and the edge of the unfolded cut geometry, wherein the GUI is configured to send the second user input to the controller; The length and width of the initial cut are determined via the controller, wherein each of the length and width of the initial cut is determined based on the plurality of nodes associated with each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cut geometry, and the received margin. The third user input is received via the GUI, wherein the third user input includes a selected material type, and wherein the GUI is configured to send the third user input to the controller; The selected material type is compared with material data stored in a material database via the controller, wherein the material data includes multiple material types and at least one material property associated with each of the multiple material types; At least one material property of the selected material type received via the controller identifier; The mass of the initial cut and the mass of the formed part are calculated via the controller, wherein the mass of the initial cut is calculated based on the nominal cut thickness of the determined unfolded cut geometry and the determined length and width of the initial cut, and wherein the mass of the formed part is calculated based on the identified at least one characteristic and the cumulative mass of each of the plurality of elements representing the geometry of the formed part; and The material utilization percentage is calculated via the controller based on the calculated mass of the initial cut and the mass of the formed part.

[0029] Example 2. The method for determining the material utilization percentage according to Example 1, wherein determining the nominal cut thickness of the unfolded cut geometry based on the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cut geometry includes: The controller reads the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry from the FEM model database; and Via the controller, the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry are cyclically traversed, wherein cyclically traversing the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry includes: The controller reads the part identifier from the FEM model database, as well as the element thickness of each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry; The controller determines the maximum thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry based on the element thickness of each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry. The minimum thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry is determined via the controller based on the element thickness of each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry; Via the controller, the absolute thickness difference of the unfolded cutting geometry is calculated based on the determined maximum thickness and the determined minimum thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry; and When the calculated absolute thickness difference is greater than the predefined allowable thickness difference, the nominal cutting thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry is determined by the controller based on the average of the determined maximum thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry and the determined minimum thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry.

[0030] Example 3. The method for determining the percentage of material utilization according to Example 2 further includes: When the determined absolute thickness difference is less than the predefined allowable thickness difference, the nominal cutting thickness is marked as uniform via the controller.

[0031] Example 4. The method for determining the material utilization percentage according to Example 2, wherein determining the length and width of the initial cut comprises: Via the controller, read from the FEM model database the plurality of nodes associated with each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry; and Via the controller, cyclically traversing the plurality of nodes associated with each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry, wherein cyclically traversing the plurality of nodes associated with each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry includes: The controller reads the X, Y, and Z coordinates of each of the plurality of nodes associated with each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry; The controller identifies the minimum X value, maximum X value, minimum Y value, and maximum Y value of the initial cut. The controller determines the initial cut length based on the identified minimum X value and the identified maximum X value; and The width of the initial cut is determined by the controller based on the identified minimum Y value and the identified maximum Y value.

[0032] Example 5. The method for determining the percentage of material utilization according to Example 4, wherein the cumulative mass of each of the plurality of elements is calculated using the following equation [Equation 1]. ): [Equation 1]; in: =Density of the sheet material; =Components ( i The number of elements in ) = By each component ( i The number of elements in ). =Component identifier, where i It equals 1 or 2; =The thickness of the j-th element of the i-th component identified; and =The area of ​​the j-th element of the i-th component identified.

[0033] Example 6. The method for determining the material utilization percentage according to Example 5, wherein the mass of the initial cut is calculated using the following equations [Equation 2] and [Equation 3] respectively. ) and the mass of the formed component ( ): [Equation 2]; in: L = the length of the initial cut; W = the width of the initial cut; = The density of the plate material; and t = initial cutting thickness; and [Equation 3].

[0034] Example 7. The method for determining the material utilization percentage according to Example 6, wherein the material utilization percentage is calculated using the following equation [Equation 4] ( ): [Equation 4]

[0035] Example 8. A system for determining the percentage of material utilization during a stamping process, the system comprising: First user input; Finite Element Method (FEM) model database; A second user input that is different from the first user input; A third user input that is different from the first and second user inputs; Materials database; A graphical user interface (GUI) operable to receive input from the first user, the second user, and the third user; and A controller that communicates with the FEM model database and the material database, wherein the GUI is configured to send a first user input to the FEM model database, a second user input to the controller, and a third user input to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to: The first user input is received via the GUI; Read the unfolded cutting geometry and / or the formed component geometry, each of which is represented by a plurality of elements, wherein the unfolded cutting geometry and / or the formed component geometry is read from the received first user input, and wherein each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry and / or the formed component geometry includes a plurality of nodes associated with each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry and / or the formed component geometry; The nominal cutting thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry is determined based on the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry read from the FEM model database. The second user input is received via the GUI; The length and width of the initial cut are determined, wherein each of the length and width of the initial cut is determined based on the plurality of nodes associated with each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cut geometry, and the received second user input; The third user input is received via the GUI; The third user input is compared with material data stored in the material database, wherein the material data includes multiple material types and at least one material property associated with each of the multiple material types; Identify the at least one material property from the received third user input; Calculate the mass of the initial cut and the mass of the formed component, wherein the mass of the initial cut is calculated based on the nominal cut thickness of the determined unfolded cut geometry and the determined length and width of the initial cut, and wherein the mass of the formed component is calculated based on at least one of the identified material properties and the cumulative mass of each of the plurality of elements representing the geometry of the formed component; and The percentage of material utilization is calculated based on the mass of the initial cut material and the mass of the formed component.

[0036] Example 9. A system for determining the material utilization percentage according to Example 8, wherein determining the nominal cut thickness of the unfolded cut geometry based on the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cut geometry includes: The controller reads the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry from the FEM model database; and Via the controller, the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry are cyclically traversed, wherein cyclically traversing the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry includes: The controller reads the part identifier and the element thickness of each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry from the FEM model database. The controller determines the maximum thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry based on the element thickness of each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry. The minimum thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry is determined via the controller based on the element thickness of each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry; Via the controller, the absolute thickness difference of the unfolded cutting geometry is calculated based on the determined maximum thickness and the determined minimum thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry; and When the calculated absolute thickness difference is greater than the predefined allowable thickness difference, the nominal cutting thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry is determined by the controller based on the average of the determined maximum thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry and the determined minimum thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry.

[0037] Example 10. A system for determining the material utilization percentage according to Example 9, wherein the controller is further configured to: When the determined absolute thickness difference is less than the predefined allowable thickness difference, the nominal cutting thickness is determined to be uniform.

[0038] Example 11. A system for determining the material utilization percentage according to Example 9, wherein determining the length and width of the initial cut comprises: Via the controller, multiple nodes associated with each of the multiple elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry are read from the FEM model database; and Via the controller, cyclically traversing the plurality of nodes associated with each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry, wherein cyclically traversing the plurality of nodes associated with each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry includes: The controller reads the X, Y, and Z coordinates of each of the plurality of nodes associated with each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry; The controller identifies the maximum X value, minimum X value, maximum Y value, and minimum Y value of the initial cut material. The initial cut length is determined by the controller based on the identified maximum X value and the identified minimum X value; and The width of the initial cut is determined by the controller based on the identified maximum Y value and the identified minimum Y value.

[0039] Example 12. A system for determining the percentage of material utilization according to Example 11, wherein the cumulative mass of each of the plurality of elements is calculated using the following equation [Equation 1]. ): [Equation 1]; in: =Density of the sheet material; =Components ( i The total number of elements in ) = By each component ( i The number of elements in ). =Component identifier, where i It equals 1 or 2; =The thickness of the j-th element of the i-th component identified; and =The area of ​​the j-th element of the i-th component identified.

[0040] Example 13. A system for determining the percentage of material utilization according to Example 12, wherein the mass of the initial cut is calculated using the following equations [Equation 2] and [Equation 3], respectively. ) and the mass of the formed component ( ): [Equation 2]; in: L = the length of the initial cut; W = the width of the initial cut; = The density of the plate material; and t = initial cutting thickness; and [Equation 3].

[0041] Example 14. The method for determining the material utilization percentage according to Example 13, wherein the material utilization percentage is calculated using the following equation [Equation 4] ( ): [Equation 4]

[0042] Example 15. A system for determining the percentage of material utilization during a stamping process, the system comprising: The first user input includes at least one finite element model (FEM) data file; Finite Element Method (FEM) model database; The second user input includes the margin between the edge of the initial cut and the edge of the unfolded cut geometry; The third user input includes the selected material type; Materials database; A graphical user interface (GUI) operable to receive the first user input, the second user input, and the third user input; and A controller communicating with the FEM model database and the material database, wherein the GUI is configured to send a first user input to the Finite Element Method (FEM) model database, a second user input to the controller, and a third user input to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to: At least one FEM data file is received via the first user input, wherein the at least one FEM data file is received into the FEM model database; Read the unfolded cutting geometry and / or the formed component geometry, each of which is represented by a plurality of elements, wherein the unfolded cutting geometry and / or the formed component geometry is read from the received at least one FEM data file, and wherein each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry and / or the formed component geometry includes a plurality of nodes respectively associated with each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry and / or the formed component geometry; The nominal cutting thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry is determined based on the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry read from the FEM model database. The margin between the edge of the initial cut and the edge of the unfolded cut geometry is received via a second input; The length and width of the initial cut are determined, wherein each of the length and width of the initial cut is determined based on the plurality of nodes associated with each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cut geometry, and the received margin; The selected material type is received via the third user input, wherein the selected material type is received into the material database; The selected material type is compared with material data stored in the material database, wherein the material data includes multiple material types and at least one material property associated with each of the multiple material types; Identify at least one material property of the selected material type received; Calculate the mass of the initial cut and the mass of the formed component, wherein the mass of the initial cut is calculated based on the nominal cut thickness of the determined unfolded cut geometry and the determined length and width of the initial cut, and wherein the mass of the formed component is calculated based on the identified at least one material property and the cumulative mass of each of the plurality of elements representing the geometry of the formed component; and The percentage of material utilization is calculated based on the mass of the initial cut material and the mass of the formed component.

[0043] Example 16. A system for determining the percentage of material utilization according to Example 15, wherein determining the nominal cut thickness of the unfolded cut geometry based on the plurality of elements includes: The controller reads the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry from the FEM model database; and Via the controller, the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry are cyclically traversed, wherein cyclically traversing the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry includes: The controller reads the part identifier and the element thickness of each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry from the FEM model database. The controller determines the maximum thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry based on the element thickness of each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry. The minimum thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry is determined via the controller based on the element thickness of each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry; Via the controller, the absolute thickness difference of the unfolded cutting geometry is calculated based on the determined maximum thickness and the determined minimum thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry; and When the calculated absolute thickness difference is greater than the predefined allowable thickness difference, the nominal cutting thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry is determined by the controller based on the average of the determined maximum thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry and the determined minimum thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry.

[0044] Example 17. A system for determining the material utilization percentage according to Example 16, wherein determining the length and width of the initial cut includes: Via the controller, multiple nodes associated with each of the multiple elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry are read from the FEM model database; and Via the controller, cyclically traversing the plurality of nodes associated with each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry, wherein cyclically traversing the plurality of nodes associated with each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry includes: The controller reads the X, Y, and Z coordinates of each of the plurality of nodes associated with each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry; The controller identifies the maximum X value, minimum X value, maximum Y value, and minimum Y value of the initial cut material. The controller determines the initial cut length based on the identified maximum X value and the identified minimum X value; and The width of the initial cut is determined by the controller based on the identified maximum Y value and the identified minimum Y value.

[0045] Example 18. A system for determining the percentage of material utilization according to Example 17, wherein the cumulative mass of each of the plurality of elements is calculated using the following equation [Equation 1]. ): [Equation 1]; in: =Density of the sheet material; =Components ( i The total number of elements in ) = By each component ( iThe number of elements in ). =Component identifier, where i It equals 1 or 2; =The thickness of the j-th element of the i-th component identified; and =The area of ​​the j-th element of the i-th component identified.

[0046] Example 19. A system for determining the material utilization percentage according to Example 18, wherein the at least one material property is the density of the sheet material used to form the initial cut; and The mass of the initial cut material is calculated using the following equations [Equation 2] and [Equation 3], respectively. ) and the mass of the formed component ( ): [Equation 2]; in: L = the length of the initial cut; W = the width of the initial cut; = The density of the plate material; and t = initial cutting thickness; and [Equation 3].

[0047] Example 20. A system for determining the material utilization percentage according to Example 19, wherein the material utilization percentage is calculated using the following equation [Equation 4] ( ): [Equation 4] Attached Figure Description

[0048] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure, and these embodiments, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0049] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the sheet metal stamping process according to this disclosure.

[0050] Figure 1A It is a schematic diagram of the initial cutting according to this disclosure.

[0051] Figure 1B It is a schematic diagram of material cutting during the processing according to this disclosure.

[0052] Figure 1CIt is a schematic diagram of the components formed according to this disclosure.

[0053] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a system for determining the percentage of material utilization according to this disclosure.

[0054] Figure 3 This is a schematic illustration of a mass-based system and method for determining the percentage of material utilization during a sheet metal stamping process based on the mass ratio of the formed part to the part cut, according to flowchart illustrations of this disclosure.

[0055] Figure 4 This is a schematic illustration of a flowchart illustrating a zero-thickness-difference-based method for determining the initial cut thickness (i.e., the cut thickness before formation) according to the present disclosure.

[0056] Figure 5 This is a schematic illustration of a flowchart illustrating a method for determining the size of an initial cut, according to the present disclosure.

[0057] Figure 6 This is a schematic illustration of a flowchart illustrating a method for determining component quality and cutting quality, according to the present disclosure.

[0058] The accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and may present slightly simplified representations of various preferred features of the present disclosure as disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, positions, and shapes. Details relating to such features will be determined in part by the specific intended application and environment of use. Detailed Implementation

[0059] This disclosure allows for embodiments in many different forms. Representative examples of this disclosure are shown in the accompanying drawings and described in detail herein as non-limiting examples of the disclosed principles. Therefore, elements and limitations described in the abstract, introduction, summary, and detailed description sections but not expressly set forth in the claims should not be incorporated individually or collectively into the claims by implication, inference, or otherwise.

[0060] For the purposes of this description, unless specifically denied, the use of the singular includes the plural, and vice versa; the terms “and” and “or” should be both conjunctions and disjunctive words; and the words “including,” “contains,” “comprising,” “having,” etc., should mean “including but not limited to.” Furthermore, approximate words such as “approximately,” “almost,” “substantially,” “generally,” “approximately,” etc., may be used herein in the sense of “being, near, or almost being” or “within its 0-5%” or “within acceptable manufacturing tolerances,” or a logical combination of the above.

[0061] like Figure 1As schematically illustrated, the stamping process 100 includes feeding a coil of metal material 120 (e.g., but not limited to aluminum and / or steel) 110 into a die 130, which is movable vertically 135 to cut a piece of metal material 120 having a length of [missing information]. L 1 ,width W 1 and the first thickness is T 1 Initial cutting ( Figure 1A ).

[0062] Then, the initial cut material The feed 140 is fed into the deep drawing die 150, which has an upper die 150A and a cutting clamp 150B. The cutting clamp 150B is movable vertically 155 along the first support 160 to hold the initial cut material. First thickness T 1 Reduced to have a second thickness T 2 During the processing of material B I2 ( Figure 1B During the processing, material B is cut. I2 It may include its thickness relative to the first thickness. T 1 Reduced by up to 30%.

[0063] Then the material B will be cut during the processing. I2 The feed material 170 is fed into the thinning dies 180A and 180B, which can move vertically 185 along the second support column 190 to cut the material B during the processing. I2 second thickness T 2 Reduced to have a third thickness T 3 The formed component P F ( Figure 1C ), the formed component P F This can include its thickness compared to the second thickness. T 2 Reduced by up to 50%.

[0064] like Figure 1A The initial cutting is illustrated schematically in the diagram. Including length L 1 ,width W 1 First thickness T 1 and the initial cutting edge B IEInitial cutting edge B IE Defined as initial cut The circumference of the unfolded cut material B. D The geometry has edge B DE The edge B DE Defined as unfolded cut material B D The circumference of the geometric shape. At the initial cutting stage. Edge B IE and unfolded cut material B D Edge of geometric shape B DE Define the margin M between them.

[0065] like Figure 1B The diagram illustrates the cutting of material B during the processing. I2 The geometry includes a second length L 2 Second thickness T 2 .

[0066] like Figure 1C The schematic diagram shows the formed component P. F Including the second length L 2 and third thickness T 3 .

[0067] Using method 1000 ( Figure 3 The system 200 for determining the material utilization percentage MU during the stamping process 100. Figure 2 The diagram is schematically represented as a flowchart.

[0068] System 200 includes a first input 210, a second input 220, a third input 230, a graphical user interface (GUI) 240 for receiving the first user input 210, the second user input 220, and the third user input 230, a finite element method (FEM) model database 250 for receiving the first input 210 from the GUI 240, a material database 260 for receiving the third input 230, and a controller 270 configured to determine an output 280 based on the first input 210, the second input 220, and the third input 230, the output 280 including a material utilization percentage MU.

[0069] Figure 3 The diagram illustrates a method 1000 for determining the material utilization percentage MU during the stamping process 100.

[0070] The method 1000 for determining the material utilization percentage MU includes: receiving 1100 first user input 210 via a graphical user interface 240, wherein the first user input 210 includes at least one finite element method (FEM) data file, and wherein the GUI 240 is configured to send the first user input 210 to a finite element method (FEM) model database 250; and reading 1200 unfolded cut material B via a controller 270. D Geometry and / or formed component P F Geometric shape, in which the unfolded cut material B D Geometry and / or formed component P F Each of the geometric shapes consists of multiple (N) elements. j This indicates that the unfolded cutting material B... D Geometry and / or formed component P F At least one of the geometric shapes is read from at least one FEM data file 210 received at 1100, and there are multiple elements therein. j Each of them includes multiple (N) elements. j Each of the associated multiple (M) nodes l ; via controller 270, the cutting material B is unfolded based on the representation read from FEM model database 250. D Multiple (N) elements of a geometric shape j Determine the cutting material B with a unfolded diameter of 1300. D The nominal cutting thickness NT of the geometry; receiving 1400 second user inputs 220 via GUI 240, wherein the second user inputs 220 include the initial cutting thickness. Edge B IE and unfolded cut material B D Edge of geometric shape B DE The margin M between, where GUI 240 is configured to send a second user input 220 to controller 270; via controller 270, an initial cut of 1500 is determined. length L 1 and width W 1 The initial cutting material length L 1 and width W 1 Each of the cut pieces D in the representation is based on the expansion of the cutting. B Each of the multiple elements of the geometry has multiple associated nodes. lThe margin received at 1400 is used to determine the material type; via GUI 240, a third user input 230 is received at 1600, wherein the third user input 230 includes the selected material type, and wherein the GUI is configured to send the third user input 230 to controller 270; via controller 270, the selected material type 230 is compared with material data 290 stored in material database 260 at 1700, wherein material data 290 includes a plurality of material types 292, and at least one material property 294 associated with each of the plurality of material types 292; via controller 270, at least one material property 294 of the selected material type 230 received at 1600 is identified at 1800; via controller 270, the initial cut mass is calculated at 1900. and the quality of the formed components The initial cut mass Based on the unfolded cutting B determined at 1300. D The nominal cut thickness NT of the geometry and the initial cut determined at 1500. length L 1 and width W 1 To calculate and form the mass of the component. Based on the material property 294 identified at 1800, and the component P represented by the calculation at 1900, the part is formed. F Multiple elements of a geometric shape j The cumulative mass of each of them To calculate; and via controller 270, based on the initial cut mass calculated at 4200. and the quality of the formed components To calculate the material utilization percentage (MU) of 5000.

[0071] like Figure 4 The diagram illustrates, based on the unfolded cut material B. D Multiple (N) elements of a geometric shape j Determine the cutting material B with a unfolded diameter of 1300. D The nominal cut thickness NT of the geometry includes: 1200 representing the unfolded cut thickness B read from the FEM model database 250 via controller 270. D Multiple (N) elements of a geometric shape j ; and via controller 270, cycle 2000 through the unfolded cutting D B Multiple (N) elements of a geometric shape j .

[0072] Cycle 2000 uses the unfolded cutting material B to represent the process. DMultiple (N) elements of a geometric shape j Includes: reading 2100 part identifiers from the FEM model database 250 via controller 270. i , and the cut material B representing the unfolded material D Multiple (N) elements of a geometric shape j Thickness of each element in T ( i ); via controller 270, based on the unfolded cutting B D Multiple (N) elements of a geometric shape j Thickness of each element in T ( i ), determine the 2200 unfolded cutting material B D Maximum thickness of geometry GrtT 2210, 2220, 2230, 2240; via controller 270, based on the unfolded cutting material B D Multiple (N) elements of a geometric shape j Thickness of each element in T ( i ), determine the 2300 unfolded cutting material B D Minimum thickness of the geometry LstT 2310, 2320, 2330, 2340; via controller 270, based on the unfolded cut B determined at 2200. D Maximum thickness of geometry GrtT The unfolded cut material B is determined at 2210, 2220, 2230, 2240 and at 2300. D Minimum thickness of the geometry LstT Calculate the cut material B at 2400° for the given values ​​2310, 2320, 2330, and 2340. D Absolute thickness difference D of geometric shape i ); and when the calculated absolute thickness difference D( i (greater than the predefined allowable thickness difference) At that time, via controller 270, based on the unfolded cut B determined at 2200 D Maximum thickness of geometry GrtT The unfolded cut material B is determined at 2210, 2220, 2230, 2240 and at 2300. D Minimum thickness of the geometry LstT The average values ​​of 2310, 2320, 2330, and 2340 are used to determine the cut material B at a unfolded size of 2500. D The nominal cutting thickness for the geometry is NT 2520 or 2530.

[0073] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the method 1000 for determining the material utilization percentage MU further includes, when the determined absolute thickness difference is less than a predefined allowable thickness difference... At that time, the nominal cutting thickness NT mark 2525 is uniformly determined by the controller 270.

[0074] like Figure 5 The schematic diagram shows the determination of an initial cut of 1500. length L 1 and width W 1 Includes: reading 3100 and representing the unfolded cut material B from the FEM model database 250 via controller 270. D Multiple (N) elements of a geometric shape j Each of the associated multiple (M) nodes l ; and via controller 270, cycle 3000 passes through the cutting material B indicating unfolding. D Multiple (N) elements of a geometric shape j Each of the associated multiple (M) nodes l .

[0075] Cycle 3000 passes through the cutting B representing the unfolded process. D Multiple (N) elements of a geometric shape j Each of the associated multiple (M) nodes l Includes: reading 3100 and indicating the unfolded cutting material B via controller 270. D Multiple (N) elements of a geometric shape j Each of the associated multiple (M) nodes l The X coordinate x of each in i ), Y coordinate y( i ) and Z coordinate z( i ); via controller 270, the initial cutting of 3200 and 3300 is identified. The minimum X values ​​MinX 3210, 3220, the maximum X values ​​MaxX 3260, 3270, the minimum Y values ​​MinY 3310, 3320, and the maximum Y values ​​MaxY 3360, 3370 are given. The controller 270 determines the initial cutting value of 1500 based on the minimum X values ​​MinX 3210, 3220 identified at 3250 and the maximum X values ​​MaxX 3260, 3270 identified at 3200. length L 1; and via controller 270, based on the minimum Y values ​​MinY 3310 and 3320 determined at 3300 and the maximum Y values ​​MaxY 3360 and 3370 determined at 3350, the initial cutting value of 1500 is determined. width W 1 .

[0076] like Figure 6 As illustrated schematically, at 1900, the following equation [Equation 1] is used to calculate the FEM model database 250. k Component 4100 ( i Multiple elements j The cumulative mass of each of them Method 4000: [Equation 1]; in: =Density of the sheet material; =Components ( i The number of elements in ) =Components ( i The number of elements in ) =Component identifier, where i It equals 1 or 2; =The thickness of the j-th element of the i-th component identified; and =The area of ​​the j-th element of the i-th component identified.

[0077] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the mass of the component formed by 4200 is calculated using the following equations [Equation 2] and [Equation 3]. ) and the quality of the initial cut ( ): [Equation 2]; in: L = the length of the initial cut; W = the width of the initial cut; = The density of the plate material; and t = initial cutting thickness; and [Equation 3].

[0078] According to one aspect of this disclosure, at 5000, the percentage of material utilization is calculated using the following equation [Equation 4] ( ): [Equation 4]

[0079] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a system 200 for determining the percentage of material utilization MU during a stamping process 100 is also disclosed.

[0080] The system 200 for determining the percentage of material utilization MU during the stamping process 100 includes a first user input 210, a second user input 220, a third user input 230, a finite element method (FEM) model database 250, a material database 260, a graphical user interface 240 operable to receive the first user input 210, the second user input 220, and the third user input 230, and a controller 270 communicating with the FEM model database 250 and the material database 260.

[0081] The GUI is configured to send a first user input 210 to a finite element model database 250, a second user input 220 to a controller 270, and a third user input 230 to a controller 270.

[0082] The second user input 220 is different from the first user input 210, and the third user input 230 is different from the first user input 210 and the second user input 220.

[0083] Controller 270 is configured to receive 1100 first user input 210, wherein the first user input 210 is received into FEM model database 250 via GUI 240, wherein GUI 240 is configured to send the first user input 210 to FEM model database; and read 1200 unfolded cut material B. D Geometry and / or formed component P F Geometric shape, cutting material B D Geometry and / or formed component P F Each geometric shape consists of multiple (N) elements. j This indicates that the unfolded cutting material B... D Geometry and / or formed component P F The geometry is read from the first user input 210 received at 1100, and each of the plurality of (N) elements includes a cut B representing the unfolding. D Geometry and / or formed component P F Multiple (N) elements of each geometric shape j Each of the associated multiple (M) nodes l ; based on the representation unfolded from the FEM model database 250, the cutting material B DMultiple (N) elements of a geometric shape l Determine the cutting material B with a unfolded diameter of 1300. D The nominal cutting thickness NT of the geometry; receiving second user input 220 via GUI 240; determining the initial cutting thickness 1500. length L 1 and width W 1 The initial cutting material length L 1 and width W 1 Each of the pieces in the B section is based on the unfolded cut material. D Multiple (N) elements represented by geometric shapes j Each of the associated multiple (M) nodes l The process involves: determining the second user input 220 received at 1400; receiving a third user input 230 at 1600, wherein the third user input 230 is received in the material database 260 via the GUI 240; comparing the third user input 230 with material data 290 stored in the material database 260 at 1700, wherein the material data 290 includes a plurality of material types 292 and at least one material property 294 associated with each of the plurality of material types 292; identifying at least one material property 294 from the received third user input 230 at 1800; and calculating the initial cut mass at 1900. and the quality of the formed components The initial cut mass Based on the unfolded cutting B determined at 1300. D The nominal cut thickness NT of the geometry, and the initial cut determined at 1500. length L 1 and width W 1 Calculate, and the mass of the components formed therein. Based on at least one characteristic identified at 1800, and representing the unfolded cut material B D Geometry and / or formed component P F Multiple elements of a geometric shape j The cumulative mass of each of them To calculate; and based on the initial cut mass and the quality of the formed components Calculate the material utilization percentage (MU) of 5000.

[0084] As mentioned above Figure 4 The discussed material cutting B is based on representation expansion.D Multiple (N) elements of a geometric shape j Determine the cutting material B with a unfolded diameter of 1300. D The nominal cut thickness NT of the geometry includes: a 1200 unfolded cut thickness B read from the FEM model database 250 via controller 270. D Multiple (N) elements of a geometric shape j ; and via controller 270, cycle 2000 passes through the unfolded cut B, calculated at 1900. D Multiple (N) elements of a geometric shape j .

[0085] Cycle 2000 uses the unfolded cutting material B to represent the process. D Multiple (N) elements of a geometric shape j Includes: reading 2100 part identifiers from the FEM model database 250 via controller 270. i , and the cut material B representing the unfolded material D Multiple (N) elements of a geometric shape j Thickness of each element in T ( i ); via controller 270, based on the unfolded cutting B D Multiple (N) elements of a geometric shape j Thickness of each element in T ( i ), determine the 2200 unfolded cutting material B D Maximum thickness of geometry GrtT 2210, 2220, 2230, 2240; via controller 270, based on the unfolded cutting material B D Multiple (N) elements of a geometric shape j Thickness of each element in T ( i ), determine the 2300 unfolded cutting material B D Minimum thickness of the geometry LstT 2310, 2320, 2330, 2340; via controller 270, based on the unfolded cut B determined at 2200. D Maximum thickness of geometry GrtT The unfolded cut material B is determined at 2210, 2220, 2230, 2240 and at 2300. D Minimum thickness of the geometry LstT Calculate the cut material B at 2400° for the given values ​​2310, 2320, 2330, and 2340. D Absolute thickness difference D of geometric shape i ); and when the calculated absolute thickness difference D( i(greater than the predefined allowable thickness difference) At that time, via controller 270, based on the unfolded cut B determined at 2200 D Maximum thickness of geometry GrtT The unfolded cut material B is determined at 2210, 2220, 2230, 2240 and at 2300. D Minimum thickness of the geometry LstT The average values ​​of 2310, 2320, 2330, and 2340 are 2520 and 2530, respectively. Determine the cut material B at 2500 mm. D The nominal cutting thickness for the geometry is NT 2510, 2520.

[0086] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the method 1000 for determining the material utilization percentage MU further includes, when the determined absolute thickness difference is less than a predefined allowable thickness difference... At that time, the nominal cutting thickness NT mark 2525 is uniformly determined by the controller 270.

[0087] As mentioned above Figure 5 The discussion focused on determining an initial cut size of 1500. length L 1 and width W 1 Includes: reading 3100 and representing the unfolded cut material B from the FEM model database 250 via controller 270. D Multiple (N) elements of a geometric shape j Each of the M associated nodes l ; and via controller 270, cycle 3000 passes through the cutting material B indicating unfolding. D Multiple (N) elements of a geometric shape j Each of the associated multiple (M) nodes l .

[0088] Cycle 3000 passes through the cutting B representing the unfolded process. D Multiple (N) elements of a geometric shape j Each of the associated multiple (M) nodes l Includes: reading 3100 and indicating the unfolded cutting material B via controller 270. D Multiple (N) elements of a geometric shape j Each of the associated multiple (M) nodes l The X coordinate x of each in i ), Y coordinate y( i ) and Z coordinate z( i ); via controller 270, the initial cutting of 3200 and 3300 is identified. The minimum X values ​​MinX 3210, 3220, the maximum X values ​​MaxX 3260, 3270, the minimum Y values ​​MinY 3310, 3320, and the maximum Y values ​​MaxY 3360, 3370 are given. The controller 270 determines the initial cutting value of 1500 based on the minimum X values ​​3210, 3220 identified at 3250 and the maximum X values ​​3260, 3270 identified at 3200. length L 1 ; and via controller 270, based on the minimum Y values ​​MinY 3310 and 3320 determined at 3300 and the maximum Y values ​​MaxY 3360 and 3370 determined at 3350, the initial cutting value of 1500 is determined. width W 1 .

[0089] As mentioned above Figure 6 The discussion focuses on calculating the FEM model database 250 at 1900 using the following equation [Equation 1]. k Component 4100 ( i Multiple elements j The cumulative mass of each of them Method 4000: [Equation 1]; in: =Density of the sheet material; =Components ( i The number of elements in ) = By each component ( i The number of elements in ). =Component identifier, where i It equals 1 or 2; =The thickness of the j-th element of the i-th component identified; and =The area of ​​the j-th element of the i-th component identified.

[0090] The method for determining the percentage of material utilization according to claim 5, wherein at 4200, the initial cut mass is calculated using the following equations [Equation 2] and [Equation 3], respectively. ) and the quality of the formed components ( ): [Equation 2]; in: L = the length of the initial cut; W = the width of the initial cut; = The density of the plate material; and t = initial cutting thickness; and [Equation 3].

[0091] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the percentage of material utilization for 5000 is calculated using the following equation [Equation 4] ( ): [Equation 4]

[0092] A system and method for determining the percentage of material utilization for stamped parts based on the ratio of initial cut quality to the quality of the formed part is provided to calculate the percentage of material utilization with improved accuracy, thereby leading to improved material costs and inventory management reliability.

[0093] It should be understood that by providing a material utilization percentage calculated with improved accuracy, the material utilization percentage can be used by other systems, including but not limited to material ordering systems, to improve material costs and inventory management reliability by reducing the amount of material ordered, thereby more closely reflecting the actual amount of material to be ordered and the actual amount of material on hand.

[0094] In view of the foregoing disclosure, those skilled in the art will appreciate these and other associated benefits of this disclosure.

[0095] The detailed description and accompanying drawings are intended to support and describe this teaching, but the scope of this teaching is defined solely by the claims. While some best modes and other embodiments for carrying out this teaching have been described in detail, various alternative designs and embodiments exist for practicing the teaching as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for determining the percentage of material utilization during a stamping process, the method comprising: The system receives first user input via a graphical user interface (GUI), wherein the first user input includes at least one finite element method (FEM) data file, and wherein the GUI is configured to send the first user input to a finite element method (FEM) model database. The unfolded cutting geometry and / or the formed part geometry are read via a controller, each of the unfolded cutting geometry and / or the formed part geometry being represented by a plurality of elements from the FEM model database, wherein the unfolded cutting geometry and / or the formed part geometry are read from at least one received FEM data file, and wherein each of the plurality of elements representing each of the unfolded cutting geometry and / or the formed part geometry includes a plurality of nodes associated with each of the plurality of elements; The nominal cutting thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry is determined via the controller based on the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry read from the FEM model database. The second user input is received via the GUI, wherein the second user input includes a margin between the edge of the initial cut and the edge of the unfolded cut geometry, wherein the GUI is configured to send the second user input to the controller; The length and width of the initial cut are determined via the controller, wherein each of the length and width of the initial cut is determined based on the plurality of nodes associated with each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cut geometry, and the received margin. The third user input is received via the GUI, wherein the third user input includes a selected material type, and wherein the GUI is configured to send the third user input to the controller; The selected material type is compared with material data stored in a material database via the controller, wherein the material data includes multiple material types and at least one material property associated with each of the multiple material types; At least one material property of the selected material type received via the controller identifier; The mass of the initial cut and the mass of the formed part are calculated via the controller, wherein the mass of the initial cut is calculated based on the nominal cut thickness of the determined unfolded cut geometry and the determined length and width of the initial cut, and wherein the mass of the formed part is calculated based on the identified at least one characteristic and the cumulative mass of each of the plurality of elements representing the geometry of the formed part. as well as The material utilization percentage is calculated via the controller based on the calculated mass of the initial cut and the mass of the formed part.

2. The method for determining the material utilization percentage according to claim 1, wherein determining the nominal cut thickness of the unfolded cut geometry based on the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cut geometry comprises: The controller reads the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry from the FEM model database. as well as Via the controller, the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry are cyclically traversed, wherein cyclically traversing the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry includes: The controller reads the part identifier from the FEM model database, as well as the element thickness of each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry; The controller determines the maximum thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry based on the element thickness of each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry. The minimum thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry is determined via the controller based on the element thickness of each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry; Via the controller, the absolute thickness difference of the unfolded cutting geometry is calculated based on the determined maximum thickness and the determined minimum thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry; and When the calculated absolute thickness difference is greater than the predefined allowable thickness difference, the nominal cutting thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry is determined by the controller based on the average of the determined maximum thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry and the determined minimum thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry.

3. The method for determining the material utilization percentage according to claim 2, further comprising: When the determined absolute thickness difference is less than the predefined allowable thickness difference, the nominal cutting thickness is marked as uniform via the controller.

4. The method for determining the material utilization percentage according to claim 2, wherein determining the length and width of the initial cut comprises: The controller reads the plurality of nodes associated with each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry from the FEM model database; as well as Via the controller, cyclically traversing the plurality of nodes associated with each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry, wherein cyclically traversing the plurality of nodes associated with each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry includes: The controller reads the X, Y, and Z coordinates of each of the plurality of nodes associated with each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry; The controller identifies the minimum X value, maximum X value, minimum Y value, and maximum Y value of the initial cut. The controller determines the initial cut length based on the identified minimum X value and the identified maximum X value; and The width of the initial cut is determined by the controller based on the identified minimum Y value and the identified maximum Y value.

5. The method for determining the material utilization percentage according to claim 4, wherein the cumulative mass of each of the plurality of elements is calculated using the following equation [Equation 1]. ): [Equation 1]; in: =Density of the sheet material; =Components ( i The number of elements in ) = By each component ( i The number of elements in ). =Component identifier, where i It equals 1 or 2; =The thickness of the j-th element of the i-th component identified; as well as =The area of ​​the j-th element of the i-th component identified.

6. The method for determining the material utilization percentage according to claim 5, wherein the mass of the initial cut is calculated using the following equations [Equation 2] and [Equation 3] respectively. ) and the mass of the formed component ( ): [Equation 2]; in: L = the length of the initial cut; W = the width of the initial cut; = The density of the plate material; as well as t = initial cutting thickness; as well as [Equation 3].

7. The method for determining the material utilization percentage according to claim 6, wherein the material utilization percentage is calculated using the following equation [Equation 4] ( ): [Equation 4] 8. A system for determining the percentage of material utilization during a stamping process, the system comprising: First user input; Finite Element Method (FEM) model database; A second user input that is different from the first user input; A third user input that is different from the first and second user inputs; Materials database; A graphical user interface (GUI) operable to receive input from the first user, the second user, and the third user; as well as A controller that communicates with the FEM model database and the material database, wherein the GUI is configured to send a first user input to the FEM model database, a second user input to the controller, and a third user input to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to: The first user input is received via the GUI;    Read the unfolded cutting geometry and / or the formed component geometry, each of which is represented by a plurality of elements, wherein the unfolded cutting geometry and / or the formed component geometry is read from the received first user input, and wherein each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry and / or the formed component geometry includes a plurality of nodes associated with each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry and / or the formed component geometry;    The nominal cutting thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry is determined based on the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry read from the FEM model database.    The second user input is received via the GUI;    The length and width of the initial cut are determined, wherein each of the length and width of the initial cut is determined based on the plurality of nodes associated with each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cut geometry, and the received second user input;    The third user input is received via the GUI;    The third user input is compared with material data stored in the material database, wherein the material data includes multiple material types and at least one material property associated with each of the multiple material types; Identify the at least one material property from the received third user input;    The mass of the initial cut and the mass of the formed part are calculated, wherein the mass of the initial cut is calculated based on the nominal cut thickness of the determined unfolded cut geometry and the determined length and width of the initial cut, and wherein the mass of the formed part is calculated based on at least one of the identified material properties and the cumulative mass of each of the plurality of elements representing the geometry of the formed part. as well as The percentage of material utilization is calculated based on the mass of the initial cut material and the mass of the formed component.

9. The system for determining the material utilization percentage according to claim 8, wherein determining the nominal cut thickness of the unfolded cut geometry based on the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cut geometry comprises: The controller reads the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry from the FEM model database. as well as Via the controller, the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry are cyclically traversed, wherein cyclically traversing the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry includes: The controller reads the part identifier and the element thickness of each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry from the FEM model database. The controller determines the maximum thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry based on the element thickness of each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry. The minimum thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry is determined via the controller based on the element thickness of each of the plurality of elements representing the unfolded cutting geometry; Via the controller, the absolute thickness difference of the unfolded cutting geometry is calculated based on the determined maximum thickness and the determined minimum thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry; and When the calculated absolute thickness difference is greater than the predefined allowable thickness difference, the nominal cutting thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry is determined by the controller based on the average of the determined maximum thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry and the determined minimum thickness of the unfolded cutting geometry.

10. The system for determining the material utilization percentage according to claim 9, wherein the controller is further configured to: When the determined absolute thickness difference is less than the predefined allowable thickness difference, the nominal cutting thickness is determined to be uniform.

Images