Kiuchi Lab.

METAL FORMING LABORATORY

Overview

Focused Areas

Supporting Facilities

Staff Members

Visiting Researchers

1. Overview

This laboratory aims at innovation of metal forming technology. Theoretical and experimental research works are being eagerly conducted concerning rolling, forging, extrusion, drawing, sheet forming, roll forming and straightening.
 
 

2. Focused Areas

The research activity is currently centered on the following areas.

(1)Development of integrated simulation systems based on UBET for metal forming processes.
Integrated simulation systems for forging and other metal forming processes are being developed with aim to realize the optimum design of tools, dies, machines and process schedules.

 (2) Application of upper bound method to metal forming processes.
Development of computer aided simulation methods based on the upper bound method is being conducted with aim to establish the methods for characterizing deformation features of workpieces in various metal forming processes, such as extrusion drawing, rolling and upsetting. Such methods are indispensably necessary for obtaining technological data and knowledge usable for optimum design of tools and processes.

 (3)Overall study on mashy metal forming technology.
Mashy metal extrusion, forging, rolling, die molding and other processes are being investigated with aim to develop innovative metal forming processes.

 (4)Development of new-processes for tube making and tube forming.
New technology and productive processes for tube making and tube forming are being investigtated. In addition, computerized simulation methods and adaptive control methods required for innovation of conventional processes are being inquired.

 (5) Overall study on roll forming process.
Diversified research works on roll-forming are being conducted with aim to innovate its efficiency and function. Development of intelligent design system for rolls and pass-schedules is one of primary interests and being strongly inquired.

 (6)Manufacturing and forming of composite materials by mashy metal processings.
New processes for manufacturing particle-reinforced metals as well as fiver-reinforced metals and converting them into plates, bars, wires and pipes by making use of mashy stirring, mashy extrusion, mashy forging and mashy rolling are being eagerly investigated.

 (7) Direct forming of molten metal.
New metal forming processes for manufacturing plates, sheets, bars, wires and pipes directly from molten metals are being investigated. Through the study, near-net shape forming technology and flexible rapid forming processes for new products are being inquired.
 
 

3. Supporting Facilities

* Rolling mill
* Forging press
* Extrusion press
* Roll-forming mill
* 3-D shape and profile measuring system
* 3-axes forming test machine
* Mashy metal forming machine
* Semi-solid processing machine
* High frequency furnace
* High temp. microscope
 
 

4. Staff Members

* Manabu KIUCHI, Dr., Professor
* Ken SHINTANI, Research Assistant
* Akizo TANABE, Research Assistant
 
 

5. Visiting Researchers

Jin, In Tai, Dr. (Associate Professor, Pusan National University of Technology)