Simufact Forming

Specialised forming simulation software for virtual testing and process design for component optimisation

Radial Forging SIM Temperature

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Software solution for forming processes without expert knowledge

Simufact Forming two digit icon

Simufact Forming is a simulation tool for the practitioner in forming technology. Our claim is to consistently align the software to the practical needs of the user.

Often, expert knowledge is required to operate simulation environments in order to build and program complex models. This is not the case with Simufact Forming. The user does not have to deal with the gray physics of the forming process nor with simulation specific details. Simufact Forming is practical and can be learned quickly and easily. The forming practitioner can thus concentrate on the details of his forming processes instead of on the software.

Exactly the right forming process you need

Forming processes conducted significantly below the recrystallisation temperature of the material. These processes include typical upsetting and extrusion processes (e. g. for the production of bolts, nuts and rivets), but can also include coining, cold hobbing, thread rolling and  last but not least drawing processes (e. g. wire drawing, tube drawing and profile drawing).

Simufact Forming Location Pin SIM Strain

Forming processes conducted above the recrystallisation temperature of the material. A typical process is hot forging, including closed die hot forging, auxiliary processes such as heating and cooling, cutting processes and preform operations (e. g. upsetting, bending, forge rolling and cross wedge rolling) as well as extrusion processes.

Simufact Forming Inner Race SIM Temperature

Different methods of sheet metal forming can be used depending on the geometry of the desired part. Based on the characteristics of each deformation process, the forming engineer can choose between: Deep drawing, ironing, punching, bending, stamping, and a variety of other manufacturing processes. Due to the geometric complexity of the parts being manufactured, additional multistage forming that combines different processes is frequently required within a phase of production. Therefore, production is usually achieved by automated transfer or stage pressing, or by progressive tools.

Simufact Forming Electrical Connector single SIM Eff Plastic Strain

Forming processes in which the shape of the workpiece is changed incrementally (i. e. step-by-step) by repeated, local forming using geometrically simple dies which move relative to the workpiece. Open-die forging includes among others cogging, radial forging, rotary swaging, shell forging and rotational partial forging.

Rolling
Forming processes in which the material is formed between two or more rotating dies (rollers). Examples of rolling processes include; flat and profile rolling, spinning, flow forming and reduction rolling.

Ring-Rolling
Special rolling method for the manufacturing of seamless rings with related sub-methods such as; radial ring rolling, radial-axial ring rolling and axial closed die rolling.

Simufact Forming MERW SIM Temperature

Methods in which, metallic workpieces (mainly steel pieces) are temporarily heated for the targeted improvement of the material’s properties.

Quench Temper
Quench temper enables the simulation of complex heat treatment processes with all necessary stages. In each of them the respective temperatures and heat transfer coefficients of resp. to dies and (furnace) environment can be specified in many ways as constant or changing.

Case Hardening
Case hardening enables the simulation of direct hardening processes with all necessary stages. In each of them the respective temperatures and heat transfer coefficients of resp. to dies and (furnace) environment can be specified in many ways as constant or changing.

Induction Heating
This process type allows the modelling of an inductive heating process and therefore a more precise estimation of the resulting temperature distibution.

Heat treatment

Mechanical Joining
Forming processes that cause a mechanical interlock between the pieces. Mechanical joining includes riveting methods such as; punch riveting, self-piercing riveting and blind riveting, as well as clinching technologies such pressure joining, clinching and toxing.

Resistance Spot Welding
A pressure welding process during which the sheets are pressed together locally with the help of fitted copper electrode welding guns. The electrical current between the weld guns causes a heating and melting of the joining partners, creating a small circular welded area between them.

Pressure Welding
Methods in which, metallic workpieces (mainly steel pieces) are temporarily Pressure welding stands for a group of joining processes in which components are joined by heating and compression. Heat can be generated either via current (resistance welding) or by using friction (friction welding) for the targeted improvement of the material’s properties.

Simufact Forming SPR Shear Test SIM Eff Plastic Strain
RSW Front View

Your benefits with Simufact Forming

Optimise

Design and optimise your forming process:

  • Determine the optimal number and sequence of stages and process window with minimal material usage while ensuring a robust manufacturing process.
  • Identify and eliminate potential manufacturing defects.
  • Optimise tool life.
Knowledge

Simplicity – No expert knowledge required as the software solution is designed to be user-friendly, intuitive and process-oriented.

Sustainability

Sustainability – Save material, time and money by replacing expensive and time-consuming physical tests with virtual tests.

Research Projects

Learn more about Simufact Forming

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Ready to get started?

Talk to an expert and discover how Hexagon can support your organisation.