Drawing process of tailor welded blank car center pillar based on FEA

The finite element numerical simulation for the drawing process of laser tailor welded blank car center pillar was researched using software DYNAFORM. By observing the forming limit diagram (FLD) and thickness diagram and analyzing the defects of the forming parts, the forming result were improved by means of adjusting some parameters and setting equivalent draw beads to avoid some defects such as rupture, wrinkling and thinning. Improving and optimizing process was proposed based on the simulation results. Using the optimized parameters used in simulation process, the drawing experiment was carried out, and good quality experimental forming parts were obtained. The results show that selection of weld model and mesh generation of blank and tools can directly affect the simulation accuracy; parameters such as drawing velocity, blank holder force and draw bead can affect the drawing result. Especially, material flow is balanced through regulating draw beads and it solves the problem which can't be solved by adjusting the blank holder force in laser tailor welded blank forming process.