Intelligent Control Systems for Hot Forging and Extrusion Processes

Under the Phase I effort, the UES team will utilize the existing methods for open loop control of hot forming processes to design the manufacturing processes for two critical parts. These efforts will utilize microstructural database information derived from compression tests and apply optimization techniques to determine optimal strain, strain-rate and temperature profiles in order to achieve the required microstructures upon deformation. These profiles will in turn be used to (back) calculate the ram velocity, initial billet temperature, or other appropriate boundary conditions needed to enforce the same processing path at critical locations in the deformation material. An industrial consortium will be organized to review and critique the obtained process designs and to develop concrete customer driven development requirements for Phase II technical efforts. The consortium will be utilized as an ideal mechanism for technology transfer and commercialization. OPTION TASK: None submitted.