The influence of die design on the performance of extruded profiles for automotive applications

The tremendous variety of extruded profiles for automotive applications influences the die design and makes the optimization of the production cycle for a given shape one of trial and error. The profile requested by the final user is approved and is further transferred to the die maker with the profile drawing. The die is then loaded on the press for a trial run and correction. Good surface quality depends on specific knowledge of material flow, with harder alloys, customer requirements focuses mainly on the mechanical performance. Poor feedback between the extruder and die designer on extrusion performance is a common problem in the industry. Finite element method (FEM), neural networks, and fuzzy-logic algorithms are the only applications that could find a suitable application in the management of information transfer between extruders, die designers and profile users. Software engineering can also be used to investigate on some of the aspects of die mechanisms.