Abstract: Sheet metal forming technique is one of the most important forming methods and is widely applied in industrial fields. Therefore, forming manufacturing techniques represent a country’s manufacturing level. Furthermore, the quality, profit and development capability of the product also depend on forming techniques. Some new topics on process design and mould manufacture for sheet metal forming are proposed according to the recent development and applications in this field. Among them are novel theories and algorithms in computer simulation, reverse technology for high performance materials, optimization theories and methods in process design of sheet forming, new forming process based on CAE technology, digitized manufacturing technology for die-face, and die surface wear prediction and life control methods. The possible development in sheet metal forming by using these methods and techniques are also discussed.

Key words: Computer simulation, Manufacturing, Metal forming, Process design