The Conference coverage will be (but not restricted to) the following topics:

1. MATERIALS

• New advanced sheet materials
• Anisotropy and crystallographic texture
• Tool/die materials.
• Material characterisation: formability, wear, friction, tribology.
• Heat treatment
• Ultrafine grained sheet metal

2. PROCESSES

• Low cost forming alternatives.
• Design for high strength / weight ratio
• Intelligent Forming.
• Separating processes (shearing, blanking trimming cutting etc.).
• Hot stamping.
• Sheet & Tube Hydroforming
• Tailor welded blanks/tubes
• High production rate processes – Roll forming, Laser cutting/welding, slide forming
• High energy rate forming processes – Electromagnetic forming/joining, Explosive forming/welding
• Springback
• Superplastic forming
• Warm forming
• Forming of light weight materials.
• Processing sheet metal at different scales
• Assembly of sheet metal parts
• GD&T for sheet metal parts

3. NUMERICAL MODELLING AND SIMULATION

• Analytical tools for quality improvement
• Yield criteria
• Failure criteria
• Numerical techniques
• Microstructural simulation

4. FORMING EQUIPMENTS

• Forming Line design and optimisation
• Developments in transfer presses and tools
• Forming equipment and accessories
• Improvements in productivity and accuracy
• Instrumented equipment for closed loop control