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Center for Precision Forming

(www.CPForming.org)

Ohio State University (OSU)
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)

A National Science Foundation Industry/University Cooperative Research Center since 2006
CPF contributes to the sustainable development and mobility by developing novel manufacturing processes for lightweight structures and clean energy generation systems.

Center Mission and Rationale
The CPF strives to bring value to its members by validating innovative manufacturing process technologies, predictive computational tools, advanced measurements and quality control methods as well as by harnessing business alliances through strategic testbeds.  The overall objectives of the CPF are to:

• Conduct scientifically challenging and industrially relevant research to bring about advances  in materials forming, science and technology and innovations in predictability, productivity, producibility;
• Foster collaborative research projects between industrial and academic scientists that will make positive technological and economical impacts on Center membership in the near-future;
• Promote interdisciplinary and intra-university research activities and nurture students, engineers and scientists through industrial testbeds and collaborative projects

CPF offers (a) a core technology base in materials, tooling, processes, computational analysis and measurement, (b) a platform for the creation and growth of innovative collaborations among industry partners, and (c) the opportunity to enhance existing research relationships with federal laboratories.

Research Program
Faculty and students are currently conducting sponsored research in:

• Novel manufacturing processes for sheet, tubular, bulk and particulate materials
• Material characterization at cold, warm and hot temperature conditions,
• Tribological analysis and tests: friction, wear, coating, lubrication
• Warm forming of lightweight materials such as Al, Mg, High Strength Steels and Ti
• Warm hydroforming/Gas forming processes,
• Micro-manufacturing for fuel cell, biomedical device and heat/mass transfer applications,
• Non-contact, in-line, robust measurement systems and methods
• Computational tools and algorithms for accurate and rapid validation/prediction of complex manufacturing processes and material behavior,
• Testing and validation of alternative tool/die materials, making and processing (rapid tooling, coatings, hardening, etc.)
• Surface characterization of tools/dies and parts for accurate characterization of process conditions and quality control,
• Part, Process and Tooling development and optimization for unique applications

CPF overarching goal is to advance knowledge in these areas as well as those identified by our industry partners.

Special Center Activities
Forming and fabricating technologies are widely used to manufacture a myriad of goods in a variety of industries critically important to the U.S. economy. These industries include automotive, aerospace, electronics, medical devices, shipbuilding, appliance, energy generation and transmission. In order to achieve its objectives, the Center cooperates with its industrial partners to conduct R&D and education in four thrust areas: (1) Novel process technologies for forming light weight alloys, (2) Material and tribological characterization for forming light weight alloys, (3) Microforming and (4) Next generation equipment, tooling and systems for forming.  In all these thrust areas the use and development of new high strength/low weight materials and advanced FEM based optimized process modeling techniques will be emphasized.  In addition to conducting industrially relevant research, the Center  plans to initiate a major training program to improve the knowledge and skill base of engineers dealing with material forming related issues in industry.
CPF focuses on multi-disciplinary research that includes materials, plasticity, FEM analysis, optimization techniques, machine/tool design, as well as metrology and quality issues.  In addition to providing relevant research results to industry, the  CPF is a source of information and education, not only to university students, but also to practicing engineers in industry. 
In collaboration with its member companies, its partners in academia, state and federal laboratories, this multi-university center is a good example of unique way of conducting R&D and education.

Multi-University Locations