Numerical representation of a complete body construction process chain, focusing on new approaches for integrating the drying process

In recent years a host of methods for the virtual modelling of the car body production process chain have been published. From deep-drawing to clamping, joining and hemming, major progress has been made in this field. The modelling of the influence of the adhesive-curing and paint-drying processes following cathodic dip-coating on tolerances now represents a further step in the process. This will make it possible, from this point forwards, to completely model the car body production process chain, to forecast influences on dimensional tolerance, right from the planning phase, and to react to this prior to purchasing operating equipment. Paints and adhesives cure and sheet metals reach their final strength at approx. 200°C. Through the use of hybrid structures with divergent thermal expansion coefficients and an inhomogeneous temperature distribution in the oven, the dimensional stability of the cured assemblies can be influenced during this process. Using a test assembly, processes ranging from forming to hemming will be presented and the process chain completed with regard to the dryer process. Current challenges and successes already achieved will be presented.