Case Study: Tower International improves stamping tool design with MSC Software Marc

Automotive Supplier Uses Marc to Improve Design of Stamping Tools

Tower International, an automotive supplier, used MSC Software’s Marc software to improve the design of stamping tools for high-load press applications. Its engineers needed to check whether an existing die bolster could handle a 1000-ton load and whether a gray cast iron die shoe that had cracked under 1100 tons could be replaced with a stronger material without affecting part dimensions.

Using Marc, Tower International ran nonlinear simulations of the die bolster and die shoe under multiple load cases. The analysis showed the bolster met design criteria with deflection below the die shoe, and that ductile cast iron would not crack even at 1800 tons, while the gray cast iron shoe showed plastic strain patterns that matched real cracks. Tower said the results helped it get the design right the first time and support reliable performance for its customers.

Tower International

Yueming Cheng

CAE Engineer