Feng Ren

US Patent:

7117065, Oct 3, 2006

Filed:

Mar 31, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/278327

Inventors:

Zhiyong Cedric Xia - Canton MI, US
Feng Ren - Canton MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

G06F 19/00
G05B 11/01
G06G 7/48

US Classification:

700146, 700 30, 700 71, 703 7

Abstract:

A method for modifying a stamping die to compensate for springback includes the steps of stamping a first part using a base, or pre-existing die set, and creating a surrogate die having the shape of the first stamped part. These steps are followed by simulated stamping of a blank with the surrogate die, where the blank is shaped according to the desired finished part. Then, the base die is modified by mapping the forming stresses, from the stamped blank, to an indicator blank, which is allowed to relax and then is employed as a template for modification of the base die. Following this, the accuracy of the newly modified base die is determined by stamping a second part in the modified base die and by comparing a number of dimensions of the second part with a number of corresponding dimensions of the desired finished part.

US Patent:

7464011, Dec 9, 2008

Filed:

Jan 26, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/307189

Inventors:

Feng Ren - Canton MI, US
Zhiyong Cedric Xia - Canton MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

G06F 17/50
G06F 19/00

US Classification:

703 2, 700 98, 700118, 700163

Abstract:

A method for determining compensated addendum and binder surfaces as part of a springback compensated stamping die for producing a stamped part includes modeling of the existing addendum surface and binder surface of the stamping die. The addendum and binder surfaces are modified according to a number of compensatory surface displacements and in-plane rotations required for springback compensation of the finished stamped part. Following this modification, the stamped part may be separated from the addendum and binder without a loss of dimensional accuracy.

US Patent:

7640144, Dec 29, 2009

Filed:

Jan 26, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/307192

Inventors:

Feng Ren - Canton MI, US
Zhiyong Cedric Xia - Canton MI, US
Dan Zeng - Canton MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

G06F 17/50
B21D 24/00

US Classification:

703 2, 703 1

Abstract:

A method for simulating a hydroforming process includes modeling a virtual hydroforming die and a virtual tubular workpiece. The virtual workpiece is placed within the die after the die has been expanded. The die is then contracted to a finished size while the workpiece is deformed into a non-circular cross section in contact with the virtual die. The workpiece is subsequently pressurized to simulate production of a finished part.

US Patent:

8322176, Dec 4, 2012

Filed:

Feb 11, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/369336

Inventors:

Carl Frederick Johnson - Belleville MI, US
Vijitha Senaka Kiridena - Ann Arbor MI, US
Feng Ren - Canton MI, US
Zhiyong Cedric Xia - Canton MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B21D 17/04
B21D 3/02

US Classification:

72 75, 72115

Abstract:

A system and method for incrementally forming a workpiece. A first manipulator is configured to move a first tool in multiple directions along a first surface of a workpiece. A second manipulator is configured to move a second tool in multiple directions along a second surface of the workpiece. The first and second tools move along first and second predetermined paths of motion and exert force to form the workpiece.

US Patent:

20040176863, Sep 9, 2004

Filed:

Mar 5, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/248958

Inventors:

FENG REN - CANTON MI, US
ZHIYONG XIA - CANTON MI, US

Assignee:

FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC - DEARBORN MI

International Classification:

G06F019/00

US Classification:

700/098000

Abstract:

A method of developing a stamping die for a workpiece is provided, which includes the steps of stamping a workpiece in a current die. A measurement is made of the stamped workpiece to determine its profile. The profile is compared with the design intent workpiece to determine dimensional variance. If the variance is within predetermined limits, the development is complete. If the variance is beyond limits, a conceptual determination is made of the residual forces in the current die stamped workpiece when the current die stamped workpiece is restamped by a design intent die. This conceptual determination is carried out on a computer. From the determination of residual forces, a new current die is developed. The new current die then stamps the workpiece. The steps are repeated until the stamped workpiece profile is within predetermined limits.

US Patent:

20120011915, Jan 19, 2012

Filed:

Jul 15, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/836989

Inventors:

Vijitha Senaka Kiridena - Ann Arbor MI, US
Feng Ren - Canton MI, US
Zhiyong Cedric Xia - Canton MI, US

Assignee:

FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B21D 31/00

US Classification:

723792, 72380

Abstract:

A method of incrementally forming a workpiece. The method includes incrementally forming a first monotonic wrap surface in a first direction and incrementally forming a second wrap surface in a second direction disposed opposite the first direction.

US Patent:

20120024034, Feb 2, 2012

Filed:

Jul 27, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/843990

Inventors:

Feng Ren - Canton MI, US
Zhiyong Cedric Xia - Canton MI, US

Assignee:

FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B21D 31/00

US Classification:

72362

Abstract:

A method of incrementally forming a workpiece. The method may include incrementally forming a stiffening feature on the workpiece and incrementally forming a part on the workpiece. A gap between forming tools may be decreased to reform the part.

US Patent:

20130268243, Oct 10, 2013

Filed:

Apr 4, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/439267

Inventors:

Yinong Shen - Canton MI, US
Feng Ren - Canton MI, US
Zhiyong Cedric Xia - Canton MI, US

Assignee:

FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC - DEARBORN MI

International Classification:

G06F 17/50

US Classification:

703 1

Abstract:

The stamping of a metal sheet within a stamping die is simulated. The die includes a drawbead running perpendicular to a draw direction. A plurality of successive states are generated for iteratively representing the metal sheet from a blank shape to a final stamped shape. The drawbead is represented as a two-dimensional flat band within a model of the stamping die. Forces acting on the metal sheet are calculated at each successive state to define a next successive state. The calculating step includes a restraining force of the drawbead acting on the metal sheet calculated in response to a predetermined function of a length of the metal sheet engaged in the flat band in respective states. The particular width and location of the flat band achieve improved accuracy of estimating the restraining force.