A hybrid tool buy-off decision policy for automotive sheet metal stamping dies

In most cases, manufacturers follow a net build strategy for process development. Functional build represents an integrated approach to product and process development developed by automotive body manufacturers due to the non-rigid nature of sheet metal stampings. This paper proposes a hybrid approach that combines both net build and functional build approaches which results in lower costs than using either method individually. The decision criteria are developed using a Bayesian decision model in the context of purchasing a sheet metal stamping die. The decision rule maps the tool bias to the three actions available to the decision-maker: buy the die, rework the die, and perform a functional evaluation of the panels stamped with the die.