Abstract
The author suggests a die platform, which is the common support system for drawing dies. It has a multi-point support structure for the die, which enables a user to adjust the deformation of the die during trial process in deep drawing, instead of correction of die surface after the trial. The die is supported at multiple points by elastic cylindrical cells with ball contact. A cell has strain gages on its surface and works as both the structural part of the die support and the load cell. Therefore, the user can inspect change of load and displacement at each supported point as the elastic deformation of the cell. The user changes distribution of these supporting point with regarding the result of trial process and measured load or displacement. For example, when the all cell indicates same load, difference of displacement of the supported points close to zero. Thus the die back will be kept as flat. The author calls the suggested structure 'smart die' structure, and suggests its usage with comparing the 3D solid data of die and result of 3D shape measurement of work pieces or result of deform simulation of work piece. The aim of the study is to shorten the lead-time of press working by accelerating trial loop with replacing expert's skillful 'correction and try' procedure to recordable 'adjust and try.' The author thinks the above methodology can be applied also on the other processes, in which process the die deforms because of internal pressure, such as mold injection, forging and so on.
