Digitalization of Process planning of joining

Process planning of joining processes occurs in a number of steps from specification of joining method during the design phase over early process planning where process and process window is selected to finally planning of robot and machine control. These planning steps are today performed based on guide lines and physical tests in a laborary environment or in production equipment. This means significant cost and lead times can often be large due to delivery of material or components for tests.

The idea of this project is to replace the planning methods of today with numerical simulation and in that way reduce cost and lead time. One key issue in the realization of such an idea is the availability of user friendly and reliable simulation tools. During recent years extensive development has been going on of simulation techniques with short execution times and accuracy. This concerns MAG-welding, laser w elding and spot w elding. None of theses simulation techniques have how ever come to industrial use in process planning. In the project two demonstratörs are identified from the participating companies.They are examples with laser welding or spot welding. In the Project we will analyse the need and potential for simulation in the process planning chains of the demonstrators. Requirement profiles will be generated and they will be compared to what can be offered today. Based on that analysis solutions for digitalization will be proposed. Finally analysis is performed of advantages and draw backs of the digitalized process planning chains compared to what is done today.