Papers by Author: Jan Herper

Abstract: Sheet-bulk metal forming is a process used to manufacture load-adapted parts with high precision. However, bulk forming of sheet metals requires high forces, and thus tools applied for the operational demand have to withstand very high contact pressures, which lead to high wear and abrasion. The usage of conventional techniques like hardening and coating in order to reinforce the surface resistance are not sufficient enough in this case. In this paper, the tool resistance is improved by applying filigree bionic structures, especially structures adapted from the Scarabaeus beetle to the tool’s surface. The structures are realized by micromilling. Despite the high hardness of the tool material, very precise patterns are machined successfully using commercially available ball-end milling cutters. The nature-adapted surface patterns are combined with techniques like plasma nitriding and PVD coating, leading to a multilayer coating system. The effect of process parameters on the resistance of the tools is analyzed experimentally and compared to a conventional, unstructured, uncoated, only plasma nitrided forming tool. Therefore, the tools are used for an incremental bulk forming process on 2 mm thick metal sheets made of aluminum. The results show that the developed methodology is feasible to reduce the process forces and to improve the durability of the tools.

Abstract: It is very important to minimize wear and friction in forming processes in order to avoid adhesion between work piece and tool. For the realization of these requirements, the PVD-coating system CrAlN was deposited and tested on substrates made from high speed steel 1.3343 by means of a reactive sputter process. The coatings were deposited as single- and multilayers with a metallic Cr-interlayer. Prior to realizing the appropriate coating design, the substrates were pre-structured. For this purpose natural surfaces were used as a pattern and tested in this research work. The skin of an insect serves as a model and its fine structures were reproduced on the substrate surface by milling. The generated specimens were analyzed with a scanning electron microscope, nanoindenter and ball on disc tester to compare the performance of the coating systems.