Abstract
Fine blanking is a process of press shearing which makes it possible to produce the thick sheet metal of the finished surface and the close dimensional accuracy over the whole material thickness in the single blanking operation. In this paper, a plate holder of automotive seat recliner is manufactured by FCF(Flow Control Forming) method using the conventional mechanical press instead of the fine blanking press. Main processes for manufacturing of the plate holder by FCF method are embossing, half blanking and trimming processes. Optimal clearance, stripper force and counter force to increase the dimensional accuracy of the plate holder have been investigated by FE-analysis. As a result of FE-analysis, the clearance for both embossing and half blanking processes was -2%t and the forces of stripper and counter were 25ton and 15ton, respectively. After manufacturing the plate holder by FCF method, the measured dimensional characteristics have been compared with the required specifications as the final product. Although the dimensional accuracy of the plate holder manufactured by FCF method was a little inferior to that by fine blanking process, it was satisfactory in a general sense.