Modelling and characterization of materials and manufacturing processes
Mechanical design of machines and components
Design, analysis and theoretical and experimental evaluation of machines and components, adding value from the conception of the idea to the manufacturing process, through calculation (resistance, fatigue), dynamic analysis (vibrations), redesign, design of detail, prototyping and even the construction of test benches when required. Specialization in machines with rotating elements.
Thermo-mechanical processing, thermal treatments and behavior of the material at elevated temperatures.
Design of process sequences and optimization of hot forming processes and heat treatments that contribute to the production of more advanced steel products and in a more controlled and sustainable way through the application of metallurgical knowledge, compositional design, latest generation models (for processes and processes). material) and plant data. This line of research is key in many areas of semi or fully processed material production.
Application examples include::
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More robust process design and better product quality control.
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Improving process sequences (flat and long products, forging parts, direct rolling, ...), heat treatments and optimization of the composition.
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Zero defect production (high temperature ductility, hot workability, ...).
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Taylored design of steels with improved properties (antagonistic properties, behavior in service in harsh environments, ...).
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Fast adaptation of technology to new production routes.
Prediction of components life based on mechanical mechanics
Experimental characterization and modeling of fractures and fatigue (and creep fatigue) under complex mechanical and thermal loads, including residual stresses. Design of experiments for early detection of cracks and component tests. Analytical models and based on finite elements (cohesive models, XFEM and internally developed software) to estimate the remaining useful life of the components and establish strategies for predictive maintenance and decision making.
Mathematical models of materials and simulation of cold forming processes
The trend in different industrial sectors (automotive, energy, construction ...) is to reduce the weight of the components and the use of the raw material using a higher-grade starting material (more resistant) and less thickness.
Using these grades requires finer control of the forming process and a tighter process window to avoid formability and / or tool breakage problems. The design of the conformation process of these new grades is carried out based on previous experience and a methodology based on trial-error that increases prototyping costs, lengthens delivery times and does not guarantee optimal processing conditions. Ceit studies robust computational tools that are likely to accurately predict springback and formability phenomena in forming processes. This includes:
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The construction of material models located in physics that faithfully describes the elastic-plastic anisotropy of the starting material.
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The construction of anisotropic damage models that could predict the conformability of the material.
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The development of computational tools based on reverse engineering that specifically designed an optimal shaping strategy and tooling design.