Info AutoForm

 
7 mars 2005 :
AutoForm-Sigma Software at Volvo Cars Body Components

AutoForm Engineering is pleased to announce that Volvo Car Corporation has bought licenses of AutoForm-Sigma software, to be used in a project for the new Volvo S40/V50.

According to Mr. Anders Skogsgårdh, Manager of Engineering, Simulation at Volvo Cars Body Components in Sweden, AutoForm-Sigma will first be used in a project involving a front side-member for the Volvo S40/V50 car, currently in production. “The main application is to investigate the variability in material properties of this part and its effect on production yield. The goal in future car projects is to develop even more robust forming processes which will produce quality parts, thereby benefiting the production output.”

Volvo V50 skeleton view showing front side-member

AutoForm-Sigma will be installed in the Simulation department, which is responsible for carrying out stamping simulations and which already uses AutoForm software modules for early feasibility analysis and accurate deep drawing simulation. Historical production data for the S40/V50 side-member will be analyzed together with AutoForm-Sigma results.

AutoForm simulation of tailor-welded blank for front side-member

Mr. Skogsgårdh explained: “In the automotive industry, the materials used in sheet metal forming are becoming more complex, and therefore in-depth knowledge about their properties and effects on the forming process is becoming more important. With this type of know-how, one can improve the robustness of forming processes and ultimately increase production yield. This know-how is also important to determine the capability of each process early in the projects.”

Dr. Volker Steininger, COO of AutoForm Engineering, added: “We are very proud to have Volvo Cars, member of the Ford Premier Automotive Group, as a customer of AutoForm-Sigma. We are also very pleased that Volvo will be applying our latest technology for their award-winning V50.”

AutoForm-Sigma enables designers and engineers to improve stamping process robustness through a combination of specialized statistical process control techniques and sheet metal forming simulations. The software takes into account the variability that is inherent in the forming process (variability in material characteristics, tool wear, etc.), so that the designed parts and tooling result in a more efficient and stable production process.

Communiqué de Presse [pdf - 92 KB], Illustration 1, Illustration 2

Contact :
Vincent Ferragu
Directeur
AutoForm Engineering France
Les Jardins de la Duranne - Bâtiment C
510 rue René Descartes
F-13857 Aix-en-Provence Cedex 3
France