High-quality sheet metal production using a model-based adaptive approach

Automatic panel benders of Salvagnini Maschinenbau GmbH enable high-quality and high-efficient production of sheet metal components. To achieve the steadily increasing requirements on precision, a model-based adaptive concept has been developed controlling the complete production process as a digital twin, from CAD data to the final sheet metal part. First, an overview of the underlying simulation models with different levels of detail is given. The models consider the elastoplastic deformation of the metal sheets as well as the elastic machine components and mechatronic models of the powertrain. Secondly, an overview is given of the adaptive production concept allowing the real-time adaption of the machine to changing process parameters like material properties. Finally, all production steps are controlled by a digital twin based on this model-based adaptive strategy. The paper demonstrates the successful transfer of scientific results to an industrial application.