International Journal of Production Research

ISSN: 0020-7543 (Print) 1366-588X (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tprs20

Clamping-sequence optimisation based on

heuristic algorithm for sheet-metal components

Zhiyuan Jiao & Yanfeng Xing

To cite this article: Zhiyuan Jiao & Yanfeng Xing (2017): Clamping-sequence optimisation based
on heuristic algorithm for sheet-metal components, International Journal of Production Research,
DOI: 10.1080/00207543.2017.1410245

To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2017.1410245

Published online: 07 Dec 2017.

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International Journal of Production Research, 2017
https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2017.1410245

Clamping-sequence optimisation based on heuristic algorithm for sheet-metal components

Zhiyuan Jiao and Yanfeng Xing*

Automobile Engineering College, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai, China

(Received 27 November 2016; accepted 20 November 2017)

The traditional clamping-sequence optimisation of sheet-metal parts requires many complicated finite element analyses,
and clamping-sequence planning does not account for the springback from clamp-release. Therefore, this paper proposes
a new optimisation method based on a heuristic algorithm. We first propose a new contact model of parts, clamps and
supporting locators to analyse assembly deformation. Then, we use the distance between the actual and nominal
positions to evaluate the clamp layout. Finally, we apply the heuristic algorithm to optimise the clamping sequence. We
illustrate the proposed method with a case study of a taillight bracket, whose results show that the method of clamping-
sequence optimisation can effectively decrease the deformation of sheet metal from clamping.
Keywords: design for assembly; design for manufacture; fixture design; optimisation; sequencing

1. Introduction
In the auto-body manufacturing process, the dimensional deviation of compliant parts directly affects the final function,
fit and quality (Lai et al. 2009), such as auto-body sealing, wind noise, dynamic performance and service life. However,
due to design constraints (Xing and Wang 2012), any structural modification involves significant investment in design,
analysis and corresponding manufacturing processes (Shoval, Efatmaneshnik, and Ryan 2017). Therefore, improving the
assembly-process design is an effective means to improve the quality of body dimensions (Cochran, Foley, and Bi
2017). Assembly-process design mainly consists of fixture-positioning strategy, assembly-sequence planning and weld-
ing configuration. In this paper, the positioning strategy of a fixture is improved by optimising the clamping sequence,
hence improving the assembly quality of an auto body.
Clamping plays an important role in the fixture-assembly process. Cogun (1992) studied the influence of the clamp-
ing sequence on the position deviation of rigid workpieces, assuming all locating parts and workpieces have sliding con-
tact. Liao and Hu (2000) and Dong and Ke (2004) employed the finite element method to simulate the influence of the
clamping sequence on the deviation of rigid workpieces without accounting for friction. Under the condition that work-
pieces only have rigid-body motion, Raghu and Melkote (2004) established a component-positioning model and posi-
tioning-stiffness model of a workpiece fixture. The clamping sequence was optimised with the goal of minimising the
total residual energy of the workpiece and fixture system. Camelio, Hu, and Ceglarek (2004) adopted the method of
the influence coefficient to analyse the influence of fixture deviation on assembly deviation, and the results showed that
the influence of fixture deviation and its positioning strategy was greater than that of part deviation. To reduce the defor-
mation in surface normal directions for sheet-metal parts, Cai, Hu, and Yuan (1996) proposed the N–2–1 positioning
principle and proved that it was more suitable for flexible sheet parts than the traditional 3–2–1 positioning. According
to the principle of virtual displacement and the balancing principle, Liao (2002) discussed the stabilisation of the work-
piece without considering the effect of the clamping sequence on stability. Kang et al. (2002) studied the clamping-se-
quence model and proposed a stability index, although the relationship between the stabilisation of the workpiece and
the friction force could not be verified in the early stage of fixture design. Qin, Zhang, and Wang (2005) systematically
discussed workpiece stabilisation and its solution method and analysed the stabilisation of the workpiece. Based on
finite element analysis results on the assembly deviation of many thin-wall parts, Xing (2008), Xing et al. (2009) and
Xing and Wang (2013) proposed a two-stage optimisation algorithm for the assembly sequence. Wang (2004) used a
genetic algorithm to optimise the positioning point of a car door and used the finite element grid node as the design
variable to carry out the optimisation calculation of the clamping sequence. The springback of releasing clamps was not
considered in clamping-sequence planning. To advance the state of the art, we propose a sheet-metal clamping-sequence

*Corresponding author. Email: xyf2001721@sina.com.cn

© 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

2 Z. Jiao and Y. Xing

optimisation method that includes: (1) a flexible-contact finite element model in the clamping process; (2) an optimisa-
tion model of the clamping sequence; and (3) a heuristic algorithm to optimise the clamping sequence. In this work,
clamping-sequence optimisation based on a heuristic algorithm for sheet-metal components considers the springback of
releasing clamps during clamping-sequence planning, which reduces the deformation of sheet-metal parts and improves
the assembly quality of auto-body products.

2. Clamping model of sheet-metal parts

2.1 Contact model of clamps
There are two contact surfaces on collets, parts and supporting points in the clamping process of sheet-metal parts. The
final fixed positions of the part in the measuring fixture are maintained by the two contact surfaces. In the analysis of
the clamping sequence, contact problems should be first considered (Kim 2017).

2.1.1 Contact algorithm

The contact problem is solved through an iterative process, and the contact state of the two contact bodies can be
obtained through contact calculation. The difference between the different local coordinates of the nodes is defined as
the gap vector{r} (Wang 2000), which is obtained from the following equation:
rjk ¼ r1jk  r2jk ; ðj ¼ x; y; z; k ¼ 1; 2; . . .; nÞ (1)
There are only four contact states of any pair of nodes: bonding, slip, mixed and open. The four states are defined by
Equations (2)–(5), respectively:
R1jk þ R2jk ¼ 0; ðj ¼ x; y; zÞ; r1zk  r2zk ¼ rz ; r1jk  r2jk ¼ 0; ðj ¼ x; yÞ (2)

R1jk þ R2jk ¼ 0; ðj ¼ x; y; zÞ
r1zk  r1zk ¼ rz ; R1jk þ R2jk ¼ lðR1jk þ R2jk Þ cos h (3)
ðj þ x; y; h ¼ tan1 ðryk =rxk ÞÞ

R1jk þ R2jk ¼ 0; ðj ¼ x; y; zÞ;

r1zk  r2zk ¼ rz ; (4)
R1xk þ R2xk ¼ lðR1zk þ R2zk Þ; r1yk  r2yk ¼ 0

R1jk þ R2jk ¼ 0; ðj ¼ x; y; zÞ (5)

Define the acting force and reaction force between the contact nodes as R1jk, R2jk in Equations (2)–(5). The contact prob-
lems associated with the non-linear state are solved by the ANSYS contact element method and the contact-force identi-
fication method. Contact can be classified as being either between a rigid body and a flexible body or between two
flexible bodies.

2.1.2 Contact model

According to the hypothesis that the force on the contact surface is uniform, both the contact between the parts and sup-
porting points and between the parts and the chucks are surface contacts. When analysing contact between supporting
points and parts, the contact element is employed to simulate the contact between the rigid and flexible bodies. For two
borders, one boundary is used as the target surface and the other as the contact surface. The contact surface is always
flexible, and the two surfaces are called a contact pair. For complex curved surface parts, the contact surface and target
surface are defined using the 3D object element contact 174 (or contact 173), and target 170 for contact analysis. The
characteristics of these three units are shown in Table 1.
Considering the friction force between collets and parts, and between parts and supporting points, the friction type
of the contact model is taken as elastic Coulomb friction. Adhesion and sliding contact are allowed for contact pairs.
The model is first established in the ANSYS environment and the mesh is divided. According to the force analysis, the
 International Journal of Production Research 3

Table 1. Characteristics of contact element.

Name Dimension Characteristic

Target170 3D Use triangular face to represent complex target surface of any shape
Contact173 3D A lower order quadrilateral element with four nodes may degenerate into a triangular element with three
nodes
Contact174 3D A high-order quadrilateral element with eight nodes may degenerate into a triangular element with six
nodes

contact pairs are identified, the rigid and flexible object surfaces are defined, and the motion of the rigid object surface
is defined. The solution options and loads under a given boundary condition are then defined. Finally, the contact prob-
lem can be solved and the analysis results checked.

2.2 Model of springback

In the process of clamping-sequence optimisation, springback causes unpredictability in the deformation tendency of the
part. The clamping sequence of flexible parts will be of no significance if we ignore the rebound phenomenon of flexi-
ble parts in the stamping process. In the following sections, we use computer simulation to obtain the elastic deforma-
tion of flexible parts and further optimise the clamping sequence of flexible parts.

2.2.1 Springback algorithm

This work adopts the updated Lagrange method and the rate-dependent constitutive relation to deal with the large strain
in the process of resilience. The Lagrange method (Liu and Lian 1997) is used for step-by-step updates, and the princi-
ple of virtual power in the configuration of xi at time t can be expressed as:
Z Z Z

s dtji dV ¼ Pi dti dV þ Pi dti dA: (6)

The volume and surface area of the reference configuration are defined as V, A, respectively, and the respective ratios
of volume rate and area shape of the reference configuration are defined as Pi, Pi.
Assuming the volume of plastic deformation cannot be compressed, the relationship between τij and Cauchy stress
σij can be expressed as:
sij ¼ rJij  rik eik  rki eki þ sik tjk ; (7)
where τij is the first kind of Kirchhoff stress rate.
Put Equation (7) and the constitutive relation equation into Equation (6) to obtain the element equilibrium equation.
The general stiffness equation is obtained by the conventional method from the following equation:
KD ¼ F: (8)
The springback process of sheet-metal stamping has large displacement and deformation. The rate-dependent
constitutive equation based on the flow theory of the yield function can be expressed as:
rJij ¼ Dep
ijkl ekl (9)

Deijmn @r@fmn@f e
@ruv Duvkl
Dep
ijkl ¼ Deijkl  @f ; (10)
@f
H @rruv þ @r uv
Demnuv @r@fmn
where rJij is the Jaumann derivative of Kirchhoff stress, εki is the strain rate, Deijkl is the elastic constitutive matrix, H is
the hardening parameter and r is the equivalent stress of the yield function. The yield function can be expressed as:
1
f ðrÞ ¼ f½Pr211 þ Pr222 þ PRðr11  r22 Þ2 þ ð2Q þ 1ÞðP þ RÞr212 =PðR þ 1Þg2 ; (11)
4 Z. Jiao and Y. Xing

where P, Q, R are representative anisotropy indices of the material in the 90°, 45° and 0° directions. The effect on the
springback can be analysed by Equation (11).

2.2.2 Model of springback

After the sheet-metal stamping is formed, the upper die and blank holder are out of contact with the mould, and the
parts are launched out of the top. In this process, the geometry of the plate is changed due to elastic recovery. During
unloading, the mould and blank holder exert little force on the parts. The ‘no model’ method is used in the simulation
to calculate the springback. Local loading may occur during unloading, and elastic–plastic material can be used to
improve the accuracy of springback simulation.
When calculating the springback elastic model, the geometric parameters of the model are put into the implicit algo-
rithm programme to calculate the module, the explicit unit type is put into the implicit element type, and the sheet-metal
elastic–plastic material model is put into the linear elastic model. The mould of the model and blank holder block in the
transformation are removed. The nodes and units for the retaining plate are kept. The calculation results of the stamping
process are read. The external force of the plate is inverted and added to the corresponding nodes. The elastic deforma-
tion of the thin plate is solved by adding boundary conditions and limiting the rigid displacement of the plate. Finally,
the calculated results can be displayed and output after post-processing.

3. Optimisation model of a car taillight bracket

The flowchart of sheet-metal clamping-sequence optimisation for this work is shown in Figure 1. The contact model of
the sheet metal is based on the APDL language in an ANSYS environment. According to the evaluation and selection
of the numerical results for the clamping scheme, a reasonable scheme to meet the design objectives is obtained.

3.1 Optimisation model of clamping sequence

In the optimisation process, n clamping points are design variables, and the constraint is that the clamping points cannot
be selected repeatedly in a scheme. The closeness between actual and nominal positions of the sheet-metal part after
clamping is the objective function of the optimisation model. Figure 2 shows a graphical description of the objective
function.
In Figure 2, point A indicates the design position of a feature point (or measuring point) on the sheet-metal part,
while point A″ indicates the position of a feature point on the sheet metal with the springback. Due to springback, the
Euclidean distance between A and A″ is dA″. A′ indicates the position that is clamped on the sheet-metal part, and dA′
indicates the Euclidean distance between A and A′. Define dA = dA′/dA″ as the relative deformation of A″, and A′ for A;
dA indicates the magnitude of springback at point A. If dA is less than 1, the springback deformation of the sheet-metal
part at point A is recovered. A smaller dA indicates a fuller recovery of the deformation. If dA is larger than 1, the
springback of sheet metal has not only been recovered due to the clamping action, but also has additional deformation
due to the clamping effect. Set the coordinates of points A and A′ to (x, y, z), and (x′, y′, z′), respectively. In Equation
(12), dA, dA′ and dA″ can be expressed as follows:

Figure 1. Optimisation process of clamping sequence.

 International Journal of Production Research 5

Figure 2. A graphical description of the Optimisation objective function

qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
dA00 ¼ ðx  x00 Þ2 þ ðy  y00 Þ2 þ ðz  z00 Þ2
qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
dA00 ¼ ðx  x0 Þ2 þ ðy  y0 Þ2 þ ðz  z0 Þ2 : (12)
pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi ffi
d0 ðxx0 Þ2 þðyy0 Þ2 þðzz0 Þ2
dA ¼ dA00 ¼ pffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
2 2
ffi
2
A ðxx00 Þ þðyy00 Þ þðzz00 Þ

After the relative deformation of dA is obtained, the objective function of the car taillight bracket is defined. A metal
plate with n clamping points has one feature point and m measuring points, and the optimisation objective function is
expressed as:
vffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
!
u
u P 1 Pm
f ðxÞ ¼ Mint1þm 1
di2 þ dj2
i¼1 j¼1 (13)
T
s:t X ¼ ½x1 ; x2 . . .xn  2 D n ¼ 1; 2. . .; n
xj 6¼ xk j; k ¼ 1; 2; . . .; n:
In Equation (13), the design space for the sequence optimisation problem of n clamping points is D, the design vari-
able is x, and the sheet-metal part has one feature point and M measuring points. After selecting the design variables,
the optimisation objectives and constraints are determined, and the mathematical model of the optimal design of the
sheet-metal part clamping sequence can be constructed.

3.2 Numerical simulation of springback in stamping process

When the dynamic model reaches the limit position of the stamping in the simulation calculation, the loading process of
the die on the sheet-metal parts ends; the computer has gotten the deformation profile of the workpiece loading process.
When the loading process is completed, the computer begins to simulate the unloading process. During unloading, the
force of the mould on the sheet metal gradually decreases and the sheet-metal parts will rebound. The computer calcu-
lates the deformation in the springback of the sheet-metal parts and stores the deformation state of the springback
according to its instructions. When the sheet-metal parts are completely out of the workpiece and attain their final form,
the form is stored by the computer. The simulation process is shown in Figure 3.
The total amount of springback is obtained by comparing the shape of sheet-metal parts before and after unloading.
Ls-NIKE3D finite element analysis software is used to simulate the process of springback in Figure 3.
6 Z. Jiao and Y. Xing

Figure 3. Simulation calculation process of springback process.

4. Optimisation method based on heuristic search

A heuristic algorithm (De Meter, Xie, and Choudhuri 2001) was proposed with respect to the optimal algorithm. A
heuristic algorithm can seek the best solution of the problem within the acceptable computational cost (Benkalai et al.
2017). The heuristic algorithm improves the search efficiency by selecting the most promising nodes in the solution
space when searching for extended nodes. The heuristic algorithm can be used by the following three sections:
(1) Inspiration information: Deformation of the sheet-metal parts in the clamping process.
(2) Evaluation function: There are n clamping points, l geometric feature points and m measurement points on the
sheet-metal parts. There are t pinch points (nodes) waiting for evaluation. The evaluation function for any Qst at
the t clamping points is defined by:

vffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
!ffi
u
u 1 X 1 X m
UðQst Þ ¼ t d2 þ dj2 : (14)
1 þ m i¼1 i j¼1

(3) The heuristic algorithm

 International Journal of Production Research 7

For the n clamping points, a one-step algorithm is used to divide it into n! iterative steps. Select the evaluation
function of the smallest clamping point at each step of the iteration. Other points that are not selected will enter
the next step. When the algorithm is carried out at the end of step PN (PN = n!), a feasible solution is obtained.
The flow of the search algorithm is as follows:
Step 1: Initialising parameters
Initialising i ¼ 1; p ¼ fp1 ; p2 ; :::; pn g; N ¼ f1; 2; :::; ng.
Step 2: Calculate the assessment function of the n clamping points at step i.
Step 3: Select the minimum value corresponding to the clamping point j0.
Assuming pi = j0, the step is stopped if n − 1 = i. Otherwise set i = i + 1, n = n − 1 and repeat step 3.
There is a finite element analysis of a sheet-metal part in Figure 4. The size of the part is
150 mm × 150 mm × 1 mm, the Young’s modulus is 2.07 × 105 N/mm2, the Poisson’s ratio is 0.3 and both ends of the
sheet metal are fixed at point A. The influence of the pinch-point sequence on the deformation of flexible parts is
described by the finite element method. There are three middle chucks and two friction contacts between collets and
parts, and between parts and supporting points. The finite element method is used to analyse the deformation of nodes
② and ③ in the two cases of ①–②–③ and ②–①–③. In the finite element calculation, set the duration of each clip
to one second.
According to Equations (2)–(4), the contact state of the two contacts on the pair of nodes is identified. The contact
problem is solved using the method of ANSYS contact elements and the algorithm of contact-force identification. The
springback of the sheet metal is calculated, and the springback simulation is carried out using Ls-NIKE3D. The heuristic
algorithm is used to determine the heuristic information and valuation function. The sheet-metal part optimisation is car-
ried out iteratively, and the clamping points of the evaluation function are selected for each iteration, which are the tar-
get clamping points for this step. The other non-selected clamping points enter the next step.
When the clamping sequence is ①–②–③, the elastic deformation of the parts is inhibited by the clamping point of
① and no deformation is generated at the nodes of the clamping point of ② and ③. When the clamping sequence is
②–①–③, due to the change of the clamping sequence, the clamping deformation is concentrated at ③.
Based on the optimisation of the heuristic algorithm, the deformation of sheet metal is less in the clamping sequence
of ①–②–③ than in the clamping sequence of ②–①–③; therefore, the clamping sequence of ①–②–③ is more rea-
sonable than that of ②–①–③.

5. Case of the car taillight bracket

Taking the case of a car taillight bracket, 13 clamping points are located on the edge of the part in Figure 5. The clamp-
ing sequence of 13 clamping points is determined using the optimisation method mentioned above. The car taillight
bracket has an important influence on the installation of the taillight. The positioning sequence analysis of the part fix-
ture is important due to the accumulation of deviation.
When the contact analysis is carried out, the contact surface and target surface are defined using contact 174 (or con-
tact 173) and target 170 of the three-dimensional target unit. The model is established and the mesh is divided in the
ANSYS environment. The contact pair and the rigid and flexible object surfaces are defined according to the force iden-
tification.
The Ls-NIKE3D software is first used to analyse the stamping springback deformation of the car taillight bracket.
The finite element model of the car taillight bracket with springback deformation under the Ls-NIKE3D environment is
converted to the ANSYS environment, as shown in Figure 5(b). Then a finite element model between collets and parts,
and between parts and supporting points is established using ANSYS. After the finite element contact model of the car

Figure 4. Sequential Optimisation of three pinch points on the metal sheet.

8 Z. Jiao and Y. Xing

Figure 5. Finite element analysis of the car taillight bracket.

taillight bracket is established, the heuristic algorithm is used to optimise the clamping sequence and the optimised
clamping sequence of the car taillight bracket is obtained in Figure 6(a).
The clamping sequence of 13 clamping points is optimised using the one-step algorithm. There are 13! iterative
steps. At each step, the minimum clamping point of the evaluation function is selected as the target clamping point of
the step, and the other unselected clamping points are moved to the next step. A feasible solution is obtained when the
algorithm is completed at the end of the 13! steps.
Figure 6(b) shows the clamping-sequence search process of the car taillight bracket, which is divided into nine steps.
Because the car taillight bracket is fixed by positioning pins, the clamping points 3–2–12 are determined to be first fixed
at step I. At steps II–VIII, the most promising clamping points at each step are selected according to the evaluation
function, which selects the clamping points with the minimum evaluation function value; the clamping sequence is 4–5–
6–1–13–7–8. At the last step, the clamping points 11, 10 and 9 are at the same edge of the clamping points, so the
clamping sequence of three clamping points is 11–10–9.
Therefore, the clamping sequence of the car taillight bracket is 3, 2, 12, 4, 5, 6, 1, 13, 7, 8, 11, 9, 10. In the whole
process of the search, 9 + 8 + 7 + 6 + 5 + 4 = 39 times are calculated in total, and the amount of computation is reduced
greatly compared to the 13! (6.2270208 × 109) times required by the enumeration method.
In practical production, there are some rules in the design of the clamping sequence for complex surface parts. For
example, when the evaluation functions of two clamping points in one step are the same or approximately the same, the
clamping point deviating from the release direction of springback deformation is preferred. When the two clamping
points of different stiffness at different positions on the parts have the same or similar evaluation functions, the clamping
point in the region with greater rigidity is selected first. If the flexible parts have several continuous clamping points on
the same side to determine the clamping sequence, the clamping sequence is the release direction of springback defor-
mation, and so on. According to the characteristics of the parts and technical experience, the clamping sequence of the
car taillight bracket is 1–12–10–13–9–1–2–3–4–5–6–7–8. According to the method of the heuristic algorithm, the char-
acteristics of parts, and technical experience, the clamping sequence of the car taillight bracket is obtained. The line
chart of the evaluation function value of the corresponding clamping point is shown in Figure 7.
The traditional scheme and the positioning scheme based on the heuristic algorithm are, respectively, calculated. The
clamping steps I–XIII are taken as the abscissa, and the value of the evaluation function of the car taillight bracket is
 International Journal of Production Research 9

Figure 6. Search process of clamping sequence for the car taillight bracket.

Figure 7. Comparison of evaluation function values before and after optimisation.

10 Z. Jiao and Y. Xing

the ordinate. A comparison of the results of two clamping-positioning schemes is shown in Figure 7. As seen from the
graph, the deviation-control level of the optimised positioning scheme is greatly improved.

6. Conclusion
This paper proposes a new sequential optimisation method of a sheet-metal clamping process based on a heuristic
algorithm. A new contact model among parts, clamps and supporting locators is first presented to analyse assembly
deformation. The proximity of the actual geometry after clamping to the design dimensions is then used to evaluate the
objective function of the clamping plan. As the computation of the contact problem in the process of optimisation is
significant, a heuristic algorithm is adopted for optimal computation. The heuristic algorithm can seek the best feasible
solution in the acceptable time. Thus, it has great engineering significance in the computer planning of a fixture-
clamping sequence. Finally, we present a design example of the clamping sequence of a car taillight bracket. The results
show that the optimisation method can effectively reduce the workpiece deformation caused by the clamping sequence.
Clamping-sequence optimisation based on a heuristic algorithm for sheet-metal components can save time in optimi-
sation and improve the assembly quality of the body product by considering the effect of springback. The analysis of a
clamp model and optimisation method has theoretical and practical value for improving machining precision. The new
sequential optimisation research of a sheet-metal clamping process based on a heuristic algorithm can be used to posi-
tion the clamp of a body in welding. However, the proposed method has two limitations. The first is that the proposed
finite element contact model in the ANSYS environment is not stable due to the variability of external conditions, such
as the input stress, which influences the optimisation of the clamping sequence. The second limitation is that the heuris-
tic algorithm used in this paper is not a global optimisation algorithm. In the future, an improved genetic algorithm can
be used to improve the accuracy of the clamping sequence of sheet-metal parts.

Acknowledgement
We would like to thank LetPub (www.letpub.com) for providing linguistic assistance during the preparation of this manuscript.

Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Funding
This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 51575335]; Shu Guang project supported
by Shanghai Municipal Education Commission; Shanghai Education Development Foundation [grant number 16SG48].

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