Challenges in Stamp Forming Tailored Blanks

The development of automated lay-up technologies has made highly tailored lay-ups and near net-shape blank manufacturing possible. This potentially extends the applicability of stamp forming by increasing component performance and reducing weight, cost and production scrap. However, both the application of automated lay-up technologies for tailored blank manufacturing and the use of these blanks in the stamp forming process bring up a whole new range of challenges in terms of consolidation and forming. In this work some of these challenges are highlighted. Furthermore, directions for further research, which is required for the successful combination of rapid automated lay-up and stamp forming technology, are provided.