Jan 20 2009
Corus has announced ‘Vegter Lite’, an enhanced version of its original Vegter material model released in 2006. The new version is based on a reduced set of test data requirements but with the same levels of simulation accuracy. The result is faster forming simulation solve times, improved usability of the tool and thereby shorter product development time for users.
Released as a module inside ESI’s forming simulation software PAM-STAMP™ and as an option of AUTOSTAMP™, the Corus Vegter series of data models significantly improve the accuracy of forming simulation used to validate pressing operations of vehicle body components. With the advent of a new generation of high strength steels - particularly the dual-phase steels now being widely used in vehicle body construction - the Corus Vegter data model has brought new levels of accuracy previously unavailable from the standard plasticity models which experience has shown seldom coincide completely with actual measured material properties. The Corus Vegter material model was developed to alleviate this, and gives improved descriptions of both yield locus and strain hardening.
Corus Vegter Lite has been designed to generate even faster forming strain simulations and support a ‘right first time’ approach for the production of stamped panels. As well as helping to reduce customer product development lead times and costs, this new variation of the Vegter simulation model allows customers to ensure a more consistent quality of complex formed body panels at the vehicle development phase, leading to high confidence in subsequent volume production.
Commenting on the added benefits to customers of using Vegter Lite, Carel ten Horn, Corus RD&T, IJmuiden, said: “The Vegter Lite model development has reduced the number of physical test results used to create the data for the model from nine to just four - three of which are conventional tensile tests, and the fourth either a bulge or a stack-compression test. Importantly, not only have we been able to eliminate some of the most costly test work essential for the model to work, but user-friendliness has been improved at the same time.”
Vegter Lite, which is unique in the marketplace for digital simulation material models, directly responds to customer demands for affordable and straightforward strain prediction. The model was presented at EuroPAM, the user conference of Corus partner ESI software, earlier in 2008 and received the highest rating from conference delegates.