Optimization of profile extrusion processes using the finite element method and distributed computing

This paper is dedicated to the development of a FEM model of the extrusion process of tubes and profiles made from Mg alloys. Mg alloys are characterized by low technological plasticity during extrusion. The model is designed to optimize the parameters of extrusion tubes on mandrel and profiles using the ductility of alloy as an objective function and the maximum value of temperature in the deformation zone as a limitation condition. Optimization of extrusion parameters requires a large number of FEM simulations that is why the solution based on distributed computing capabilities was used. The developed software generates a vector of simulation variants and runs them on a computer cluster in parallel mode in the PL-Grid Infrastructure. In this work, an example of optimization process and a procedure for obtaining the needed materials data for simulation using the case of Mg alloy were shown. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014.