A preliminary study on the optimal shape design of the axisymmetric forging component using equivalent static loads

An optimization method is proposed for preform and billet shape designs in the forging process by using the Equivalent Static Loads (ESLs). The preform shape is an important factor in the forging process because the quality of the final forging is significantly influenced by it The ESLSO is used to determine the shape of the preform. In the ESLSO, nonlinear dynamic loads are transformed to the ESLs and linear response optimization is performed using the ESLs. The design is updated in linear response optimization and nonlinear analysis is performed with the updated design. The examples in this paper show that optimization using the ESLs is useful and the design results are satisfactory. Consequently, the optimal preform and billet shapes which produce the desired final shape have been obtained. Nonlinear analysis and linear response optimization of the forging process are performed using the commercial software LS-DYNA and NASTRAN, respectively. �� 2011 The Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers