Cellular automata model for prediction of crack initiation and propagation in hot forging tools

The paper presents design and implementation of the cellular automata (CA) model, which predicts damage of forging tools due to fatigue. The transition rules for the model were developed on the basis of known information regarding crack initiation and propagation. The coefficients in the model were determined by the inverse analysis of the thermal fatigue tests performed on the Gleeble 3800 simulator and in the special device with a rotating disc. The CA model was coupled with the conventional abrasive wear model. The layers of cell in the CA space, which are in contact with the workpiece, were removed successively following the abrasive wear of the tool. The CA model was connected with the finite element (FE) programme, which simulates stresses in tools during forging. Since this multiscale approach appeared to be extremely demanding as far as computing times are considered, an efficient implementation of the model on heterogeneous hardware architectures was prepared. Results of simulations were compared with the industrial data and good predictive capabilities of the model were confirmed.