Initial position optimization of preform for large-scale strut forging

• Published in: International journal of advanced manufacturing technology 2018-02, Vol.94 (5-8), p.2803-2810
• Main Authors: Zhang, Da-Wei, Li, Shuai-Peng, Jing, Fei, Fan, Shu-Qin, Zhao, Sheng-Dun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aircraft components; Algorithms; CAE) and Design; Closed die forging; Computer simulation; Computer-Aided Engineering (CAD; Deformation; Die forging; Engineering; Finite element method; Industrial and Production Engineering; Landing gear; Mathematical analysis; Mechanical Engineering; Media Management; Optimization; Original Article; Politicians; Sampling; Simulation; Titanium alloys; Titanium base alloys
• ISSN: 0268-3768; 1433-3015
• DOI: 10.1007/s00170-017-1061-z

The titanium alloy strut is a key load-bearing part for landing gear in aircraft. Closed-die forging with flash is adopted to manufacture the titanium alloy strut. The initial position of preform also has a notable influence on the cavity fill and metal lost into flash in the forging process. Complete die filling and even metal lost into flash at different portions of forging are the best forging process. Thus, an optimization method of initial position of preform for large-scale strut forging was developed based on the cavity fill and flash size. According to the geometrical characteristics and the deformation characteristics, a design variable x (description of initial position) and the fill indexes η 1 and η 2 were selected and defined. The objective function y consists of fill indexes. Numerical simulation combining algorithm of dichotomy to generate sampling data, and then the objective function can be produced. The finite element analysis was carried out for the optimum initial position searched by the objective function. If the simulation results is in the error range (such as