Finite element simulation of forging processes

A finite element formulation is presented for rigid-thermoviscoplastic metal forming analysis. The actual theories will only be referenced to make space for the finite element equations themselves and for the algorithms that allow one to follow a deformation process by time steps. The great advantage of finite-element is that once the program is written, one can change the geometry of the problem completely by merely changing the input data. Therefore we advance our knowledge by classes of difficulties instead of by specific applications. The rigid-plastic formulation has proven accurate and robust enough for one to be able to dedicate oneself to the specific problem of metal forming. These problems will be reviewed here in the context of forging.