Optimisation design of aluminium radiator extrusion die using response surface method

Abstract

The most important way to improve the quality of aluminium extrudates and enhance the life‐time of extrusion dies is to ensure that the material flows through the die land exit with the same velocity. In this paper, an optimisation strategy was developed for an aluminium radiator extrusion die design. A computer aided optimisation model was built based on the Box‐Behnken experimental design, response surface method and particle swarm algorithm. The parameters, such as depth, location of the die aperture, etc. were selected as the design variables. Through a series of simulations and optimisations, an optimal aluminium radiator extrusion die with uniform velocity distribution was obtained. Compared to the original die, the velocity difference across the cross‐section of the extrudate was reduced from 16·5 to 4·4 mm s−1. The extrudate was not bent and met the practical requirements.