Parallel Direct Search Methods for Optimization of Forming Processes in the Automotive Industry

In many engineering disciplines, the use of realistic computing models has become an invaluable tool in the design process. Complex simulation codes are able to approximate the behaviour of intricate systems or the properties of components without the need for costly physical experimentation. Optimization algorithms can be used to automatically nd the set of parameters within the design space for which the simulation promises the most desirable characteristics. Parallel computing can help to get results within a feasible time in spite of the high computational demand of the simulations. A class of algorithms which can be successfully applied to this kind of problems are so-called parallel direct search methods. In this paper, several such search methods are described and computational results for optimizing a hydroforming process are presented.