International Deep Drawing Research

Abstract

The International Deep Drawing Research Group's (IDDRG) 14th Biennial Congress, which was held in Germany, attracted an international group of engineers and scientists involved in sheet metal forming and fabrication. Nearly 300 delegates and guests of 25 national groups participated. Open sessions took place April 21-23, 1986, in Cologne, and closed working group sessions were conducted in Munich, April 24-26, 1986. The closed working sessions were limited to delegates and advisers from IDDRG member countries. During the open sessions, 28 technical papers were featured as were poster presentations with more than 50 abstracts. The meeting's theme was "Sheet Metal-Requirements and Solutions." The inaugural session included welcoming addresses by the president of the IDDRG-Dr. Christoph Schneider of Thyssen Stahl AG, Germany-and various officials represen ting German technical associations. Three keynote papers"Modern Methods for Car Body Design," "Development of PressForming Processes for Autobody Panels," and "Chemical Surface Treatment and Corrosion Protection in the Automotive Industry," outlined three different aspects of the current challenges facing both the automotive industry, as a user of sheet metal, and the steel industry, as that material's producer. The first paper reviewed state-ofthe-art car body design, including computer performed structural analysis and sheet steel properties in contrast to plastic alternatives. Several areas of further research and development were raised, including: modeling of the forming process to predict sheet thickness after forming, essential for accurately improving structural analysis; achieving spotless joining techniques; and developing sound deadening materials and structures. The second paper reviewed pressforming processing, highlighting traditional press lines and transfer presses. Outlined were the difficulties encountered in press-forming by using sheet aluminum RSLA sheet steel, and coated sheet steel. Several areas of continued RD lubricants and die surface parameters for forming aluminum and coated sheet steel; properties and forming methods for metalplastic-metal laminate; and computer simulation of sheet forming processes. The third keynote paper dealt with car body corrosion and protection, reviewing anti-corrosion techniques applied by material manufacturers as well as paint and automotive industries. The paper also stressed that further progress in developing higher levels of surface quality may be achieved only by close cooperation between all of the involved industries.