5. Finite element method

5.1 Introduction

The reader will have noticed that the first four paragraphs are illustrated mainly by examples taken from flat rolling. This is because all the previous approaches are ill-suited to problems involving more complex geometries.

• The much greater diversity of geometries in flute rolling makes it illusory to establish empirical formulas, especially as the shape of the edge then counts as much as the average widening given by these formulas. So we're left at the stage of formulas that say that one flute geometry will lead to greater widening than another: no figures.

• The sliding line method