Minimization of Sheet Thickness Variation and other Defects of the Mini Drawn Parts Using the Genetic Algorithms Method

Abstract

Thickness variation is a major defect of the drawn parts made from sheet metals that influences the intensity of part defects. In the case of mini deep drawing, the sheet thickness variation along parts profile has the following effects on the drawn part geometry: increases the non-uniformity of the part diameter variation; influences the values of springback parameters (part edge radius deviations and angle of wall inclination); influences the intensity of wrinkling; causes the part cracking and fracture. Hence, the main objective in the mini scale deep drawing processes must be to increase the drawn part accuracy by minimizing the thickness variation in the drawn parts, i.e. to minimize the values of thinning and thickening. The present paper analyses the results of investigations made to minimize the thickness variation and hence to increase the accuracy of the mini drawn parts by determining the optimal values of the working parameters from the application of the Genetic Algorithms method.