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Sheet metal stamping involves a system of complex tribological (friction, lubrication, and wear), heat transfer, and material strain interactions. Accurate coefficient of friction, strain, and lubrication regime data is required to allow proper modeling of the various sheet stamping processes. In addition, non-intrusive means of monitoring the coefficient of friction in production stamping operations would be of assistance for efficiently maintaining proper stamping quality and to indicate when adjustments to the various stamping parameters, including maintenance, would be advantageous. One of the key sub-systems of the sheet metal stamping process is the draw bead. This paper presents an investigation of the tribology of the draw bead using a Draw Bead Simulator (DBS) Machine and automotive zinc-coated sheet steels. The investigation and findings include: 1) A new, non-intrusive method of measuring the surface temperature of the sheet steel as it passes through the draw bead.

The effect of forming strains on the fatigue behavior of an automotive mild steel, interstitial free steel, was studied after being prestrained by balanced biaxial stretch and plane strain. In the long life region, higher than 5×105 reversals, prestrain improves fatigue resistance. In the short life region, prestrain reduces fatigue resistance. At even shorter fatigue lives, the detrimental effect of prestrain diminishes. For plane strains, the fatigue behavior is anisotropic. In the direction perpendicular to the major strain, the steel exhibits much better fatigue resistance than in the direction parallel to the major strain.

This paper describes a program of coastdown and wind tunnel tests conducted with the objective of establishing a correlation between the aerodynamic drag force measured at the Lockheed-Martin Low-Speed Wind Tunnel (LSWT) and that inferred from coastdown results on the test track. The result of this correlation establishes, in principle, the capability to project what the aerodynamic drag force inferred by a future coastdown test will be (for a future, as-yet unavailable property) based on a current database of wind tunnel results. The correlation is accompanied by a rigorous uncertainty analysis to assess the quality of the correlation and its supporting data.

Thixomolding (1) is a relatively new process in which the metallic slurry is injected into a die cavity tool at semi-solid or liquid temperatures to form near net-shape products from the solid feedstock. As part of on-going research into Thixomolding technology, this study continues the work of a previous study, that concentrated on magnesium alloys AZ91D and AM60B. The test samples were made with high, low and zero percent fraction solid. The test results of the thixomolded samples of the various percent fraction solid are compared to conventional high pressure die casting samples and there is a discussion of the why the Thixomolding process produces superior properties. In addition, a comprehensive corrosion resistance study was completed utilizing uncoated corrosion plates in an salt spray environment (ASTM B117).

Detail parts are approved during several different phases of the prototype build cycle. There is much pressure at all stages to meet strategic body quality targets. Parts stamped for assembly must meet a process capability requirement of Cpk>1.33. For final PSO (process sign off), as called out in the PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) manual, the requirement can be increased to meeting a Cpk>1.67. During the 2000 Neon part approval process, the PPAP requirements provided the guideline necessary for consistent buy-offs. However, on some critical parts the Cpk requirement made part approvals difficult to accomplish. Occasionally this caused resources to be focused in the wrong place. This paper will discuss how a requirement of Cpk>1.33 can make part approvals more difficult to achieve and change the entire application of a tolerance.