Rostock. At this year’s EuroBLECH, Fraunhofer IGP will once again be represented at the joint booth of the European Research Association for Sheet Metal Working (EFB) in Hanover. The event is the 28th International Sheet Metal Working Technology Exhibition, and Fraunhofer IGP researchers will present a model of a round-bending machine for the automated forming of metal plates for the maritime industry.

The experts in Fraunhofer IGP’s Forming-Based Joining and Shaping team are working inten-sively on automating the forming of heavy plates. They are developing process-control models for forming processes used in maritime applications. These include the production of large-diameter pipes for foundation structures, such as monopiles, and for onshore and offshore wind-turbine towers, as well as the free-form bending of large, three-dimensionally shaped plates for shipbuilding.

Hands-on automated forming: A round-bending machine to try out

The Joining and Forming by Plastic Deformation team will present a model of a round-bend-ing machine. It is equipped with movable rolls, allowing visitors to form thin metal strips themselves by using a handwheel.

In industrial applications, machines of this type are used, for instance, to manufacture foun-dation structures for offshore wind turbines with diameters of up to 12 meters and plate thicknesses of up to 120 millimeters. The forming process is currently controlled manually by experienced operators, which creates a need for automation in the long-term. The scientists at Fraunhofer IGP have developed an AI-based process-control model which calculates the machine settings to support operators. The model also helps improve the process’ cost-effec-tiveness, reproducibility as well as quality.

“We are pleased to be represented at EuroBLECH again. The trade fair gives us an oppor-tunity to speak with potential cooperation partners in the field of forming and joining tech-nology, and to exchange ideas on current challenges and research approaches,” says Felix Holleitner, Head of the Joining and Forming by Plastic Deformation group at Fraunhofer IGP.