Active control of blankholder in sheet metal stamping

The continuous demand of shape complexity, product accuracy and extended tools life has led to a widespread use of auxiliary systems in sheet metal stamping. Nevertheless, their performances are often inadequate, making their use a compromise between process efficiency and stability. The paper focuses on a new magneto-rheological actuator design. Both analytical and numerical approaches are developed to evaluate load response and to optimize the magnetic field interaction. A physical prototype according to the design outputs is manufactured and tested at different dynamic conditions. Finally, magnetic force values obtained from FE model and experimental tests are compared.