In multi-stage cold forging process, to enhance the productivity and product quality, in-site process monitoring technique by implanting sensors such as piezo-sensor and acoustic emission sensor has been continuously studied. For accurate analysis of the process, the selection of appropriate sensors and implantation positions are very important. Until now, in a multi-state forging machine, wedge parts located at the end of punch-set are used but it is difficult to analyze minute changes in die block-set. In this study, we also implanted sensors to the die part (die spacer) and compared signals from both sensors and found that sensing signals from die part showed enhanced process monitoring results.

In this paper, wear characteristics of PVD coatings were compared on the die surface for cold stamping of MART1470 steel sheet with the finite element analysis and the pin-on-disc wear test. Three types of PVD coatings (CrN, TiAlCrN, and MoS2TiCr(W)N) were considered for the tool surface made of STD11 material. The stamping process of an auto-body part was analyzed with the finite element method. Ranges of process variables for the wear test such as contact pressure, relative speed, and sliding distance were predicted from analysis results. In order to quantitatively analyze wear characteristics of each coating, the amount of wear was measured and compared according to process variables with the pin-on-disc wear test. The influence of each process variable was investigated and the wear characteristics of the three coating layers were quantitatively compared. It was confirmed that the wear characteristics of MoS₂TiCr(W)N coating were better than those of CrN and TiAlCrN. It was noted that the proposed prediction approach could predict and respond to the wear phenomenon occurring in the stamping process.

Hot stamping is widely used to manufacture structural parts to satisfy requirements of eco-friendly vehicles. Recently, hot forming technology using uncoated steel sheet is being studied to reduce cost and solve patent problems. In particular, research is focused on process technology capable of suppressing the generation of an oxide layer. To evaluate the oxide layer in the hot stamping process, Gleeble testing machine can be used to evaluate the oxide layer by controlling the temperature history and the atmosphere condition. At this time, since cooling by gas injection is impossible to protect the oxide layer on the surface of a specimen, research on a method for securing a quenching speed through natural cooling is required. This paper proposes a specimen shape design method to secure a target quenching speed through natural cooling when evaluating the oxide layer of an un-coated boron steel sheet by Gleeble test. For the evaluation of the oxide layer of the un-coated steel sheet through the Gleeble test, dog-bone and rectangular type specimens were used. In consideration of the hot stamping process, the temperature control conditions for the Gleeble test were set and the quenching speed according to the specimen shape design was measured. Finally, the quenching speed sensitivity according to shape parameter was analyzed through regression analysis. A quenching speed prediction equation was then constructed according to the shape of the specimen. The constructed quenching speed prediction equation can be used as a specimen design guideline to secure a target quenching speed when evaluating the oxide layer of an un-coated boron steel sheet by the Gleeble test.

Although the hole expansion test is currently the most commonly used method to evaluate the stretch flangeability of HSS, it has been criticized due to its poor repeatability and reproducibility for test results. This paper focuses on the development of a new measurement method to investigate the stretch flangeability of HSS. Two materials (DP590, DP980) were investigated with a hole expansion test and a developed test method. Test results showed that the developed test method could be used as one stretch flangeability test to help identify relevant parameters of the shearing process to avoid edge cracking.

Recently, the composite material market is gradually growing. Various composite forming processes have been developed in order to reduce the production cost of the composite material. Unlike the conventional forming process, the microwave composite forming process has the advantage of reducing the processing time because the composite material is heated directly or indirectly at the same time. Due to this advantage, in this study, a double cantilever beam test was conducted with specimens manufactured by the microwave composite forming process. The purpose of this study was to compare mode-I energy release rate for specimens manufactured by prepreg compression forming and microwave composite forming processes. First, a microwave oven was proposed to conduct the microwave composite forming process. Double cantilever beam specimens were manufactured. After that, the double cantilever beam test was conducted to obtain the mode-I energy release rate. Mode-I energy release rates of specimens manufactured by the microwave composite forming and prepreg compression forming processes were then compared. As a result, mode-I energy release rates of specimens fabricated by the microwave composite forming process were similar to those fabricated with the prepreg compression forming process with a relatively reduced process time.