Geometry-Based Concept for Automatic Cut Planning and Flattening of Sheet Metal Components

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Abstract
Sheet metal components with complex geometries are typically recycled by remelting. Direct remanufacturing necessitates the flattening of parts, which requires the implementation of cuts to facilitate unwinding. The exact positioning of these cuts is a complex planning task, because several influencing factors can be considered, such as material usage, ease of flattening, or minimal forming required. This study presents a geometry-based concept addressing this challenge and demonstrates its use for a test geometry. The finite element method is applied to simulate the flattening process of the resulting sections, and the results are evaluated in terms of planarity and induced plastic strain. The findings of the present work indicate a discernible dependency of results on the selection of the flattening directions. In particular, curved areas impact the induced plastic deformation and springback of flattened sections. This is a crucial consideration when planarity is prioritised over material utilisation.

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