Integrated bottom up and top down approach to optimization of the extrusion process

Boal BV and the University of Twente participate in research projects focused on improvement of die design methods for aluminum extrusion dies. Within this research empirical knowledge is combined with insights gained from numerical process simulations. Design rules for improvements to the geometry and functionality of flat and porthole dies have been defined. For porthole dies this has led to enhanced die stability and significant reduction of scrap. For both flat and porthole dies an increase in production speed and a reduction of wear has been obtained. This paper will describe the scope of this research and present results achieved in industrial practice.