Integrating Optical Draw-In Measurements with Finite Element Analysis for Enhanced Process Insights in Sheet Metal Forming

¹ Tata Steel, P.O. Box 10.000, 1970 CA IJmuiden, The Netherlands
² Volvo Cars, 81153 Concept Engineering, Olofström, Sweden
³ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Blekinge Institute of Technology, Karlskrona, Sweden
⁴ Lam Research, Bengaluru, India

^* Corresponding author: toni.chezan@tatasteeleurope.com

Abstract

Accurate monitoring of draw-in behaviour during sheet metal forming is crucial for understanding material flow, optimizing process parameters, and validating finite element (FE) simulations. This study presents an integrated approach combining high-resolution optical measurement, laser displacement sensors, and numerical simulations to analyse draw-in variations during the first forming operation of an automotive front door inner panel. A dedicated optical system was employed to capture sequential images of the blank edge, which were calibrated and processed using computer vision techniques to extract precise draw-in values at predefined locations. The results demonstrate that optical monitoring provides reliable insights related to the sheet metal forming process, highlighting the influence of real-world process disturbances. Furthermore, the study explores the feasibility of integrating measured draw-in data into an adaptive control framework, applying artificial intelligence techniques to refine process stability. By utilizing experimental data alongside numerical predictions, this methodology enhances process understanding and enables data-driven decision-making in industrial sheet metal forming. The findings contribute to the development of intelligent forming control strategies, bridging the gap between modelling and real-world manufacturing conditions to improve product quality and production efficiency.