Software rapidly simulates elastic press deflection

Simulation Software rapidly simulates elastic press deflection

2024-01-18 A guest post by Andreas Hemmerle 2 min Reading Time

Software for the rapid simulation of elastic press deflection ensures that incorporating new tools does not become a cost trap.

Deformation behaviour of a loaded press bed.(Source: Fraunhofer-IWU) — Deformation behaviour of a loaded press bed.
(Source: Fraunhofer-IWU)

Large pressing tools bring workpieces into the desired shape by applying tonnes of pressure. But what effects do the immense forces have on the tool behaviour itself? Not much can go wrong where so much solid steel is used - or can it? In fact, pressing tools and even the press itself deform elastically under process load, with corresponding effects on the workpiece. If these effects are not taken into account during the design and incorporation of new tools, many expensive rework loops are required until the desired dimensional accuracy of the component is achieved. If the toolmaker has completely underestimated such deformation effects, the pressing tool must be completely reworked on a milling machine. There is a risk of production downtime, in the worst case for several months. The Pressmate software developed at Fraunhofer IWU now helps to reduce the costs for tool reworking by up to 40 per cent in many scenarios and to save several reworking loops.

Experience is good, but data is better

The elastic deformation behaviour of a press is not adequately mapped when designing new pressing tools based purely on experience. It is neither available for simulations nor for variant studies. Extensive manual reworking of the mould surfaces is then the rule - until the workpiece quality “fits”. These test runs are time-consuming and very expensive. Solutions for a knowledge-based design of the die moulding surfaces for individual press properties are not fundamentally new. However, the fact that previous possibilities have not been fully utilised is often due to the high level of complexity and the expert knowledge required, for example to link software tools for digital simulation and analysis (finite element solvers).

Please log in or register and read this article. To be able to read this article in full, you must be registered. Free registration gives you access to exclusive specialist information.

Create My Free Account

Already registered? Log in here

Subscribe to the newsletter now

Don't Miss out on Our Best Content

Business E-mail

Please enter a valid mailadress.

By clicking on „Subscribe to Newsletter“ I agree to the processing and use of my data according to the consent form (please expand for details) and accept the Terms of Use. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy. The consent declaration relates, among other things, to the sending of editorial newsletters by email and to data matching for marketing purposes with selected advertising partners (e.g., LinkedIn, Google, Meta)

Date: 08.12.2025

Naturally, we always handle your personal data responsibly. Any personal data we receive from you is processed in accordance with applicable data protection legislation. For detailed information please see our privacy policy.

Consent to the use of data for promotional purposes

I hereby consent to Vogel Communications Group GmbH & Co. KG, Max-Planck-Str. 7-9, 97082 Würzburg including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG (hereafter: Vogel Communications Group) using my e-mail address to send editorial newsletters. A list of all affiliated companies can be found here

Newsletter content may include all products and services of any companies mentioned above, including for example specialist journals and books, events and fairs as well as event-related products and services, print and digital media offers and services such as additional (editorial) newsletters, raffles, lead campaigns, market research both online and offline, specialist webportals and e-learning offers. In case my personal telephone number has also been collected, it may be used for offers of aforementioned products, for services of the companies mentioned above, and market research purposes.

Additionally, my consent also includes the processing of my email address and telephone number for data matching for marketing purposes with select advertising partners such as LinkedIn, Google, and Meta. For this, Vogel Communications Group may transmit said data in hashed form to the advertising partners who then use said data to determine whether I am also a member of the mentioned advertising partner portals. Vogel Communications Group uses this feature for the purposes of re-targeting (up-selling, cross-selling, and customer loyalty), generating so-called look-alike audiences for acquisition of new customers, and as basis for exclusion for on-going advertising campaigns. Further information can be found in section “data matching for marketing purposes”.

In case I access protected data on Internet portals of Vogel Communications Group including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG, I need to provide further data in order to register for the access to such content. In return for this free access to editorial content, my data may be used in accordance with this consent for the purposes stated here. This does not apply to data matching for marketing purposes.

Right of revocation

I understand that I can revoke my consent at will. My revocation does not change the lawfulness of data processing that was conducted based on my consent leading up to my revocation. One option to declare my revocation is to use the contact form found at https://contact.vogel.de. In case I no longer wish to receive certain newsletters, I have subscribed to, I can also click on the unsubscribe link included at the end of a newsletter. Further information regarding my right of revocation and the implementation of it as well as the consequences of my revocation can be found in the data protection declaration, section editorial newsletter.