Inspire Form sheet metal forming simulation

What Inspire Form does

Inspire Form simulates single or multi-stage stamping on the computer, so splits, wrinkles and thinning show up before the die exists.

Feasibility analysis

A fast check of thinning, splitting and wrinkling from the part geometry, early in product design while changes are still cheap.

Model setup

Set the material, orient the stamping direction, define symmetry, and apply pin, blankholder and drawbead constraints. A preformed shape can replace the flat blank.

Blank fit and nesting

Calculates the best-fit and standard blank shape, and nests blanks for progressive and transfer die layouts to improve material use.

Multi-stage virtual tryout

Simulates single or multi-stage forming, including trimming between stages, to validate the die process before physical tryout.

Springback and die compensation

Predicts springback after forming and trimming, and supports compensating the die surfaces.

Geometry preparation

Extracts midsurfaces and removes flanges and holes, so CAD parts are ready for forming analysis.

Results and reports

Review thinning, strain and formability results in the Analysis Explorer, and publish a PDF report.

Results from benchmarks and users

Numisheet 2022 springback benchmark

In the benchmark run by the Numisheet Benchmark Committee, Inspire Form received the top rating in the DP 980 steel category without stake beads. Source: Siemens white paper.

Pragati Engineering, India

A press tool maker cut physical tryout time by 50% and shortened tooling delivery from nearly a month to 1–2 weeks, according to a vendor-hosted case study. Source: case study.

Application areas

Automotive stamping

Body and structural parts, reinforcements and brackets.

Press tool and die makers

Validate the die process before physical tryout.

Appliances and enclosures

Drawn and formed sheet metal housings.

Product design

Designers check formability while the part is still changing.

Engineering benefits

Fewer tryout rounds

Find splits, wrinkles and thinning on screen first.

Less material waste

Blank fit and nesting improve material use.

Earlier decisions

Feasibility results arrive during product design.

Fits the Inspire family

Works alongside the other Simcenter Inspire tools.