Control of Sheet-Metal Forming Processes with Piezoactuators in Smart Structures

A draw pin was replaced ad hoc with a highly durable piezoactuator integrated in a force control cycle. The force progression during the sheet draw-in could be accurately adjusted according to a predetermined master curve. The master curve was taken up in the unregulated process and represents the quality criteria of a formed useable part.The real-time MATLAB Simulink XPC-Target simulation tool was used to develop an adjustment strategy that connects the specific signals of the press control (such as the tappet path, the die cushion position and the die cushion force) with the reference force (i.e., the master curve) and the actual force of the piezoactuator.