In metal forming it is crucial for the success of the process to know the friction conditions and to optimise them. If there is unintended high friction, it will lead to small local welded joints between workpiece and tool (pick-up), which damages the surface of the formed components and causes unnecessary wear and load of the tools. Earlier, for sheet metal forming like e.g. deep drawing, chlorinated oils have been used, but knowing that these pose a health risk, several companies are determined to find alternative and more environmentally friendly lubricants.

IPU has just developed a tribotester for DTU Mechanical Engineering, which can simulate most process conditions in metal forming such as e.g. reduction, deep drawing and draw bead. Unlike previous test equipment, this equipment can run continuously, which allows far larger test material and enhanced reliability of the results. This equipment gives companies a possibility, through IPU, to test various lubricants in conditions corresponding to those of the actual process, including the "real" tool material, deformation patterns, tool and workpiece surfaces, temperatures and process conditions (surface expansion, surface pressure, sliding length, etc). The equipment may also be used for analysis of the influence on the friction conditions when using different tooling materials and geometries. We are dealing with very flexible equipment, which due to its great user-friendliness and accuracy may be of use to companies working within forming of metal components.