COMPUTER SIMULATION OF THE CONTINUOUS EXTRUSION PROCESS OF WIRE FROM HIGH-STRENGTH ALUMINUM ALLOY 7075 ACCORDING TO THE CONFORM SCHEME

This article presents the results of a finite element numerical simulation study of the 7075 alloy wire production process using the Conform method. A 12 mm diameter rod cast in an electromagnetic mold used as the starting material. A 3D assembly model of the tool and workpiece was developed and presented. During the simulation, the workpiece temperature, tool temperature, and wheel and roller speeds were varied, which made it possible to determine optimal Conform extruding conditions on the presented unit. The temperature, deformation, and trajectory-speed conditions of the extrusion process were analysed. The study established that the tool temperature should not exceed 400°C, and the wheel speed should be in the range of 2 to 4 rpm. Zones of difficult deformation were identified, as well as zones of intense deformation where the deformed metal meets the stationary tool.