Finite element modelling of cutting force in shearing of multidirectional carbon fibre reinforced plastic laminates

Lightweight structural components made of carbon fibre reinforced plastics are manufactured near-net-shape. However, in order to fulfil geometrical or functional requirements, carbon fibre reinforced plastic components have to be trimmed and pierced in a finish processing step. Shearing is a highly productive technology that is potentially suitable for cost-effective finishing of carbon fibre reinforced plastic components in high-volume series production. Shearing of carbon fibre reinforced plastic has not yet been sufficiently researched. Cutting force is an important characteristic of the shearing process. Up to now, there exists limited knowledge on numerical modelling of the cutting forces in carbon fibre reinforced plastic shearing. In order to address this, a finite element process model of carbon fibre reinforced plastic trimming was developed in this work. The process modelling included a formulation of continuum mechanical material model for a unidirectional ply as well as a development of a kinematic model of the trimming process. The developed finite element process model was validated by means of experimental data. The simulated and experimentally determined maximum specific cutting forces demonstrated a very good qualitative and quantitative agreement