Maiatz Simulform

Transfer of Innovation

Based on VIF CA - Virtual Intelligent Forging Results

The MAIATZ SIMULFORM is supported by the Leonardo da Vinci Program (the European Lifelong Learning Program), as a project of Transfer of Innovation.

Because of this, it is based on the transfer and adaptation of the results of the VIF CA (Virtual Inteligent Forging) investigation project, supported by the VI Framework Program of the EU (IST-Area NMP-2002).The reason for choosing VIF CA as the starting point for the transfer is its thematic proximity to the training necessities which the the MAIATZ SIMULFORM deals with.

The starting point of VIF CA was to consider metal forming and deformation processes which demand key technologies that permit the production of reliable pieces at accessible prices. In the last decades, these industrial processes have been improved thanks to the results obtained in numerous R+ D projects related to the science of materials, mechanical engineering, and, more recently, numerical simulation.

The objective of VIF CA was to join and analyze all these diverse spheres of knowledge to answer some industrial problems and incorporate recent advances in virtual production into industrial practices, the supply chain and life-cycle management.

The strategy was to create a community of knowledge around themes related to the application of technologies to forming and forging, through the development of activities of a scientific, technological and educational character.

The necessities related to the sectors related with these activities were analyzed as were the different solutions available to resolve them. For this reason, the state of the art of the knowledge available on this subject was investigated as well as the validity and relevance of the technologies available on the subject of virtual simulation processes and materials testing.

Diverse transversal educational programs were also designed and taught and a project for a platform of electronic learning was also developed. The concrete results of the project which we are trying to transfer and the way of going about it are:

• The results of the investigations about the state of the art and the contents of the training courses and workshops elaborated and taught during the project will be used to create theoretical contents, which will be adapted to the focus of professional training.
• The concept of “VIF CA University” and its programs and contents will be adapted to be reconverted in thematic and modular training activities, aimed at companies in the sector.
• The methodology of ''benchmarking tests'' (comparative studies of the application of technologies in environments similar to reality based on standards of reference) developed and applied to VIF CA with investigative ends will be used in the the MAIATZ SIMULFORM to elaborate case studies, based on real cases contributed by the companies which took part in the project. These case studies will be used as teaching resources for practical activities which students should carry out and as reference materials of the modular teaching activities.

More information: http://vif-ca.cemef.org/home_publicarea.htm