Advantage in Friction Control in the Automotive Press Shop by Prelube 2nd Generation

Abstract

Prelubes of the 2nd generation are the lubricant solution to the important challenges for the production in the automotive press shop during the last two decades. These challenges are increasing flexibility, reduction of scrap, smaller production batches, multiple parts and high strength steels. Tools to manage this rising complexity are standardization, better process control and simulation of process chains. The demands for a modern forming lubricant in the automotive press shop have to be aligned to the process chain of the body in white process. Tribology is only one part along the chain of application, corrosion protection, compatibility with welding, adhesives and the E-coating process of the body in white. Two main factors for unstable tribological conditions in the press shop are the uneven distribution of the oiling coming from the steel mill and the transient temperature behavior of the tool during the production cycle. Both can be controlled more easily by reduction of the oil amount with an advanced Prelube 2nd generation. The verification comes by strip drawing experiments and press shop trials. The reduction of the lubricant amount gives additionally benefits e.g. compatibility for the welding, adhesive process and finally the environment.