A Study on the Prediction Model of the Radius of Curvature of the Subtle Feature of the Automotive Parts for Different Forming Conditions

The subtle feature is one of the characteristic lines and represents the most noticeable line in the automotive panel. In this study, we proposed a method to predict the radius of curvature of products according to the material, its thickness, its punch angle, and its punch radius. The radius of curvature was divided into three regions, namely, the non-linear, transition, and linear regions. In the non-linear region, the prediction model for the radius of curvature with different forming conditions was derived using the finite element analysis. In the linear region, the radius of curvature was assumed to be the sum of the punch radius and the thickness of the material. In the transition region, a model connecting two regions (Non-linear and linear region) was developed based on the continuity condition. The prediction model presented a very small RMSE with the value of 0.314 mm. Using the prediction model, the radius of curvature with various forming variables could be predicted and the required radius of punch, to obtain a certain value of the radius of curvature, could be precisely predicted.