Robustni maloserijski procesi preoblikovanja (Slovene)

Manufacturing of the formed workpieces made of technologically innovative materials in small batch production demands special concepts like forming at elevated temperatures, local heating during the forming process, incremental forming, improvement of the friction conditions with ecological friendly lubricants and finally combinations of the mentioned concepts aiming to achieve the optimal technological solutions. The objective of the proposed project is the analysis of the specific production parameters of particular manufacturing concept for small batch production combined with their integration into uniform system. For this purpose the decision making matrix shall be determined. This matrix shall enable the optimal selection and combination of the available technologies for the small batch production aiming the increase of the forming robustness at the selected innovative forming processes. The set-up of such decision matrix is entirely new, innovative approach for the selection of the optimal forming process designed for the manufacturing of the small batch components. The digital and experimental analyses of the forming of contemporary sheet metals at elevated temperatures will be performed. Forming at elevated temperatures improve the formability and decrease the springback of sheet metals. This is in particular efficient when the magnesium alloys are formed which have poor formability at the room temperature. The influential process parameters at incremental forming on the various steel grades, light alloys like aluminium and magnesium alloys and composites (steel – foam – steel) will be analysed aiming the production and finishing of sheet metal parts. The process parameters are affected mainly from the part geometry, required surface quality and selected material of the produced part. The friction conditions at cold and/or warm conventional and incremental forming will be analysed with particular concepts aiming to improve the friction characteristics of the forming process and decrease the ecological burdening of the environment. All above mentioned concepts will be linked in the decision matrix which will be used by industrial project partners for their needs when the optimal combination of small batch production technologies and concepts is required.

Project work contributes in great proportions to increase of significance with development and design of a decision model, which connects advanced technology and technological concepts, some of them also developed inside project period. The appropriate application of decision model can significantly reduce production time and eliminate production costs, errors before an actual production of the first reference prototypes. Therefore all influential factors and parameters which may have any effect to the technology were gathered in one place, which has not yet been done. A real contribution to the development of science is the computer model – algorithm, which evaluates input parameters and links them in a meaningful whole, according to which it offers appropriate and optimum solutions for each desired product. Results of the project offer great potential for international applications, as well as contributions to the global sphere of scientific research at academic conferences in the form of articles published in foreign scientific journals with the SCI index and thus promote scientific research achievements of Slovenian researchers and companies, thereby increasing the visibility of the Republic of Slovenia and its economy. The existing and gained knowledge of individual research groups that were involved in the project were mutually reinforced and connected with network activities. Results of project work provide a perfect basis for successful cooperation and development of new, by now unexplored approaches.

The project included several partners, for which participation is extremely important. Knowledge transfer into the practical applications and mutual exchange of experiences from different fields of technology. Project ensures new steps towards innovative paths of small batch production of prototypes and smooth development of new products. The Faculty of Engineering, University of Ljubljana and TECOS recognised great scientific interest and the promotion of their own knowledge, as well as consequently help the Slovenian market to compete nationally and internationally – worldwide - with other companies. The project is crucial because of an updated methods developed regarding decision-making systems, which can be also be used in other fields of industry. The project also plays an important reference for the following projects in the areas of manufacturing technologies. Companies can use the results and knowledge gained in order to enhance its market competitiveness in the production of products. Results of the project contribute to the reduction of the cost of development of production processes in range of 5 to 10% and reduction of the cost of components for at least 3%. Gained knowledge allows firms to expand business and increase its production capacities.