Study On Structural Optimization Of The Large Cold Frame Bender

Generally, cold frame benders whose maximum powers of horizontal push/pull are more than 4000 kN are thought to be large cold frame bender. For most of the frames are unsymmetry in transverse plan, they buckle when they are bended. The bigger the frame is, the bigger the buckling deformation is. The buckling deformation of Frames in small scale, which was applied in small ships, was under control without difficult.However, the way to control the buckling deformation of the small frames is not fit for the large ones. In the paper, the finite element method is applied in the design of the large cold frame bender. The stiffness of the center machine of the lager cold frame bender is optimized by using ANSYS Program, and the buckling deformation of frames, which are bended by the machine, is under control.First, the finite element method, the principle and major outfits of the cold frame bender are introduced here, and the load on the center machine of the cold frame is analysed here as well.By doing this, the finite element model of the center machine of the cold frame bender whose maximum power of horizontal push/pull is 1000 kN is created easily. There are two different ways to simplize the bult connection between the center oil cylinder and the frame of the center machine. So, two different ways to calculate the stiffness of the center machine are provided. The advantage and disadvantage of the two ideas will be discussed here.Second, to decide whether the finite element model of the center machine is correct or not, and to choose a better way to calculate the finite element model, experiments are performed here. Not only the experiments' program about the cold frame bender whose maximum power of horizontal push/pull is 1000 kN, but also the process and results of the experiment are provided in this chapter. By analysis the result of the experiment, the finite element modle is proved to be correct by analyzing the result of the experiment, and node coupling is also proved to be the better way. The stiffness of large cold frame benders is calculated in this way.Third, the optimization module is an integral part of the ANSYS program that can be employed to determine the optimum design. Based on the way determined by the experiment, the parameter element modles of the center machine of the large cold frame benders are created, and the optimum design is applied in this chapter. By analizing the result of the optimum design, the thichness of each plates of the center machine of different large cold frame benders is reallocated, which increase the stiffness of the center machine effectively. The results are useful in design and production.Last but not least important, a summarization of the reseach and the further development of the cold frame bender is provided in the end of this paper.