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Optimization of Geometry of Shaped Body and Manufacturing Tools

20230004686 · 2023-01-05

    Inventors

    Cpc classification

    International classification

    Abstract

    A computer-implemented method (110) for designing at least one shaped body (112), a computer-implemented method (138) for designing a manufacturing process for manufacturing at least one shaped body (112), a designing system (152) for designing at least one shaped body (112) and a manufacture-designing system for designing a manufacturing process for manufacturing at least one shaped body (112). The computer-implemented method (110) for designing at least one shaped body (112) comprises: a) retrieving, by using at least one interface (154), at least one set of target criteria for the shaped body (112); b) defining, by using at least one geometry defining unit (156), at least one seed geometry for the shaped body (112); c) generating, by using at least one parameter generating unit (158), a set of parameters comprising at least one geometry parameter of the seed geometry; d) simulating, by using at least one simulation unit (160), the shaped body by varying values of the set of parameters and by corn-paring simulated criteria for these values with the set of target criteria, thereby generating at least one adapted set of parameters for which the target criteria are fulfilled at least within predetermined tolerances; and e) determining, by using at least one lead candidate geometry defining unit (162), at least one lead candidate geometry of the at least one shaped body (112) from the adapted set of parameters.

    Claims

    1. A computer-implemented method for designing at least one shaped body, wherein the shaped body is one or more of a catalyst pellet and an adsorbent pellet, the method comprising: a) retrieving, by using at least one interface, at least one set of target criteria for the shaped body; b) defining, by using at least one geometry defining unit, at least one seed geometry for the shaped body, wherein the seed geometry is a starting geometry for the shaped body, wherein step b) comprises a sub-step of providing the seed geometry to at least one processor of the computer on which the computer-implemented method is performed; c) generating, by using at least one parameter generating unit, a set of parameters comprising at least one geometry parameter of the seed geometry, wherein step c) comprises a sub-step of providing the set of parameters to at least one processor of the computer on which the computer-implemented method is performed; d) simulating, by using at least one simulation unit, the shaped body by varying values of the set of parameters and by comparing simulated criteria for these values with the set of target criteria, thereby generating at least one adapted set of parameters for which the target criteria are fulfilled at least within predetermined tolerances, wherein simulating the shaped body is an optimization process and wherein the adapted set of parameters refers to an adapted set of values of parameters; and e) determining, by using at least one lead candidate geometry defining unit, at least one lead candidate geometry of the at least one shaped body from the adapted set of parameters, wherein the lead candidate geometry is the resulting geometry for the shaped body.

    2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the target criteria contain at least one constraint selected from the group consisting of: a geometry constraint, such as a production machine tolerance, a wall minimum thickness, a tabletability constraint, an extrudability constraint, a maximum diameter constraint, a maximum height constraint; a weight constraint; a surface area constraint; a density constraint; a mechanical strength constraint; a pressure drop constraint; a heat transport constraint; a mass transport constraint; a productivity constraint; a shaping process constraint.

    3. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the target criteria of the set of target criteria comprises at least one condition to be fulfilled by the shaped body.

    4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the target criteria comprise at least one suitability of the shaped body for at least one predetermined application purpose.

    5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the adapted set of parameters in step d) is generated by applying at least one operation selected from the group consisting of: a non-linear algorithm; a stochastic algorithm; a genetic algorithm; an artificial intelligence algorithm; a gradient-based algorithm; a multi-criteria optimization function; sequential quadratic programming; method of feasible directions; quasi-newton method; newton method.

    6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a computer-implemented designing of at least one shaping tool for manufacturing the shaped body, the computer-implemented method for designing the at least one shaping tool comprising: i) retrieving, by using at least one interface, at least one set of shaping target criteria for the shaping tool; ii) defining, by using at least one geometry defining unit, at least one starting geometry for the shaping tool, wherein at least one negative geometry of the at least one lead candidate geometry determined in step e) is used as the starting geometry; iii) generating, by using at least one shaping parameter generating unit, a set of shaping parameters comprising at least one shape geometry parameter of the starting geometry; iv) simulating, by using at least one simulation unit, a shaping process using the shaping tool by varying values of the set of shaping parameters and by comparing simulated shaping properties for these values with the set of shaping target criteria, thereby generating at least one shaping geometry with an adapted set of shaping parameters for which the shaping target criteria are fulfilled at least within predetermined tolerances; and v) determining, by using at least one shaping tool geometry defining unit, at least one geometry of the at least one shaping tool from the adapted set of shaping parameters.

    7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the shaping target criteria comprise at least one suitability of the shaping tool for shaping the at least one shaped body, specifically the shaped body with the lead candidate geometry determined in step e).

    8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the shaping target criteria contain at least one constraint selected from the group consisting of: a surface property constraint; a geometry constraint; a pressure constraint; a shear force constraint; a compaction force constraint; an ejection force constraint; a productivity constraint; a force distribution constraint; a velocity distribution constraint; a mechanical stability constraint; a strength constraint, such as a tensile strength constraint; a pore size constraint; a weight constraint; an attrition performance constraint; a production machine constraint; a production constraint.

    9. The method according to claim 6, wherein at least one of the shaping target criteria of the set of shaping target criteria comprises at least one condition to be fulfilled by the shaping tool.

    10. The method according to claim 6, wherein the adapted set of parameters in step iv) is generated by applying at least one operation selected from the group consisting of a non-linear algorithm; a stochastic algorithm; a genetic algorithm; an artificial intelligence algorithm; a gradient-based algorithm; a multi-criteria optimization function; sequential quadratic programming; method of feasible directions; quasi-newton method; newton method.

    11. (canceled)

    12. A process for the production of a shaped body having a lead candidate geometry designed according to the computer-implemented method for designing at least one shaped body according to claim 1.

    13. A computer-implemented method for designing a manufacturing process for manufacturing at least one shaped body, the method comprising: I) designing the shaped body by using the method according to claim 1 referring to a method for designing at least one shaped body, thereby determining at least one lead candidate geometry of the shaped body; and II) designing at least one shaping tool for manufacturing the shaped body by using a computer-implemented method for designing at least one shaping tool, the computer-implemented method for designing the at least one shaping tool comprising: i) retrieving at least one set of shaping target criteria for the shaping tool; ii) defining at least one starting geometry for the shaping tool, wherein at least one negative geometry of the at least one lead candidate geometry determined in step I) is used as the starting geometry; iii) generating a set of shaping parameters comprising at least one shape geometry parameter of the starting geometry; iv) simulating a shaping process using the shaping tool by varying values of the set of shaping parameters and by comparing simulated shaping properties for these values with the set of shaping target criteria, thereby generating at least one shaping geometry with an adapted set of shaping parameters for which the shaping target criteria are fulfilled at least within predetermined tolerances; and v) determining at least one geometry of the at least one shaping tool from the adapted set of shaping parameters; III) prototyping the at least one shaping tool from at least one geometry of the shaping tool designed in step II), wherein at least one process is used, wherein the process is selected from the group consisting of: a rapid prototyping process, specifically an additive manufacturing process, more specifically one or more of a 3D printing process or an additive layer manufacturing process; a conventional prototyping process, e.g. a subtractive prototyping process; a spark erosion process.

    14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the shaping target criteria comprise at least one suitability of the shaping tool for shaping at least one predetermined object, wherein the predetermined object is the shaped body designed by using the method according to any one of the preceding claims referring to a method for designing at least one shaped body.

    15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the shaping target criteria contain at least one constraint selected from the group consisting of: a surface property constraint; a geometry constraint; a pressure constraint; a shear force constraint; a compaction force constraint; an ejection force constraint; a productivity constraint; a force distribution constraint; a velocity distribution constraint; a mechanical stability constraint; a strength constraint, such as a tensile strength constraint; a pore size constraint; a weight constraint; an attrition performance constraint; a production machine constraint; a production constraint.

    16. The method according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the shaping target criteria of the set of shaping target criteria comprises at least one condition to be fulfilled by the shaping tool.

    17. The method according to claim 13, wherein the adapted set of parameters in step iv) is generated by applying at least one operation selected from the group consisting of a non-linear algorithm; a stochastic algorithm; a genetic algorithm; an artificial intelligence algorithm; a gradient-based algorithm; a multi-criteria optimization function; sequential quadratic programming; method of feasible directions; quasi-newton method; newton method.

    18. The method according to claim 13, wherein the method of step II) further comprises: vi) prototyping the at least one shaping tool from the at least one geometry of the shaping tool determined in step v); and vii) validating the prototyped shaping tool by comparing at least one property of the prototyped shaping tool with at least one property of a simulated shaping tool.

    19. The method according to claim 13, wherein the method further comprises: IV) manufacturing the at least one shaped body from the prototyped shaping tool; and V) experimentally validating one or more of the shaped body and the shaping tool.

    20. (canceled)

    21. A designing system for designing at least one shaped body, wherein the shaped body is one or more of a catalyst pellet and an adsorbent pellet, the designing system comprising: A. at least one interface configured for retrieving at least one set of target criteria for the shaped body; B. at least one geometry defining unit configured for defining at least one seed geometry for the shaped body, wherein the seed geometry is a starting geometry for the shaped body; C. at least one parameter generating unit configured for generating a set of parameters comprising at least one geometry parameter of the seed geometry; D. at least one simulation unit configured for simulating the shaped body by varying values of the set of parameters and by comparing simulated criteria for these values with the set of target criteria, thereby generating at least one adapted set of parameters for which the target criteria are fulfilled at least within predetermined tolerances, wherein simulating the shaped body is an optimization process and wherein the adapted set of parameters refers to an adapted set of values of parameters; and E. at least one lead candidate geometry defining unit configured for determining at least one lead candidate geometry of the at least one shaped body from the adapted set of parameters, wherein the lead candidate geometry is the resulting geometry for the shaped body.

    22. A manufacture-designing system for designing a manufacturing process for manufacturing at least one shaped body, the manufacture-designing system comprising the designing system according to claim 21 and at least one shaping tool designing system for designing at least one shaping tool, the shaping tool designing system comprising: u. at least one interface configured for retrieving at least one set of shaping target criteria for the shaping tool; v. at least one geometry defining unit configured for defining at least one starting geometry for the shaping tool; w. at least one shaping parameter generating unit configured for generating a set of shaping parameters comprising at least one shape geometry parameter of the starting geometry; x. at least one simulation unit configured for simulating a shaping process using the shaping tool by varying values of the set of shaping parameters and by comparing simulated shaping properties for these values with the set of shaping target criteria, thereby generating at least one adapted set of shaping parameters for which the shaping target criteria are fulfilled at least within predetermined tolerances; and y. at least one shaping tool geometry defining unit configured for determining at least one geometry of the at least one shaping tool from the adapted set of shaping parameters.

    Description

    SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

    [0264] Further optional features and embodiments will be disclosed in more detail in the subsequent description of embodiments, preferably in conjunction with the dependent claims. Therein, the respective optional features may be realized in an isolated fashion as well as in any arbitrary feasible combination, as the skilled person will realize. The scope of the invention is not restricted by the preferred embodiments. The embodiments are schematically depicted in the Figures. Therein, identical reference numbers in these Figures refer to identical or functionally comparable elements.

    [0265] In the Figures:

    [0266] FIG. 1: shows a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for designing at least one shaped body;

    [0267] FIG. 2: shows a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for designing at least one shaping tool;

    [0268] FIGS. 3A to 3C: show flow charts of different embodiments of a method for designing a manufacturing process for manufacturing at least one shaped body;

    [0269] FIG. 4: shows an embodiment of a designing system for designing at least one shaped body;

    [0270] FIG. 5: shows an embodiment of a designing system for designing at least one shaping tool;

    [0271] FIGS. 6A to 6C: show flow charts of different embodiments of a method for designing a manufacturing process for manufacturing at least one shaped body;

    [0272] FIG. 7: shows different embodiments of a shaped body arranged in a diagram;

    [0273] FIG. 8A: shows an embodiment of a shaped body in a perspective view;

    [0274] FIG. 8B: shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a shaping tool for manufacturing the shaped body illustrated in FIG. 8A;

    [0275] FIG. 9A: shows an embodiment of a shaped body in a perspective view;

    [0276] FIG. 9B: shows a section view of an embodiment of a shaping tool for manufacturing the shaped body illustrated in FIG. 9A;

    [0277] FIGS. 10A to 10D: show different embodiments of a shaping tool each in a perspective view and in a section view;

    [0278] FIGS. 11A to 11D: show different embodiments of a shaping tool in a perspective view;

    [0279] FIGS. 12A to 12D: show different embodiments of a shaped body manufactured by respectively using the shaping tool illustrated in FIGS. 11A to 11D; and

    [0280] FIGS. 13A to 13D: show different embodiments of a shaping tool in a section view.

    DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

    [0281] In FIG. 1 a flow chart of a computer-implemented method 110 for designing at least one shaped body 112 is illustrated. The computer-implemented method 110 for designing at least one shaped body on the 112, e.g. the designing method 110, comprises the following steps, which may specifically be performed in the given order. Still, a different order may also be possible. It may be possible to perform two or more of the method steps fully or partially simultaneously. It may further be possible to perform one, more than one or even all of the method steps once or repeatedly. The method may comprise additional method steps which are not listed herein. The method steps of the designing method 110 are the following: [0282] a) (denoted with reference number 114) retrieving at least one set of target criteria for the shaped body 112; [0283] b) (denoted with reference number 116) defining at least one seed geometry for the shaped body 112; [0284] c) (denoted with reference number 118) generating a set of parameters comprising at least one geometry parameter of the seed geometry; [0285] d) (denoted with reference number 120) simulating the shaped body 112 by varying values of the set of parameters and by comparing simulated criteria for these values with the set of target criteria, thereby generating at least one adapted set of parameters for which the target criteria are fulfilled at least within predetermined tolerances; and [0286] e) (denoted with reference number 122) determining at least one lead candidate geometry of the at least one shaped body 112 from the adapted set of parameters.

    [0287] In FIG. 2 a flow chart of a computer-implemented method 124 for designing at least one shaping tool 126 is illustrated. The computer-implemented method 124 for designing at least one shaping tool 126, e.g. the shaping tool designing method 124, comprises the following steps, which may specifically be performed in the given order. Still, a different order may also be possible. It may be possible to perform two or more of the method steps fully or partially simultaneously. It may further be possible to perform one, more than one or even all of the method steps once or repeatedly. The method may comprise additional method steps which are not listed herein. The method steps of the designing method 124 are the following: [0288] i) (denoted with reference number 128) retrieving at least one set of shaping target criteria for the shaping tool 126; [0289] ii) (denoted with reference number 130) defining at least one starting geometry for the shaping tool 126; [0290] iii) (denoted with reference number 132) generating a set of shaping parameters comprising at least one shape geometry parameter of the starting geometry; [0291] iv) (denoted with reference number 134) simulating a shaping process using the shaping tool 126 by varying values of the set of shaping parameters and by comparing simulated shaping properties for these values with the set of shaping target criteria, thereby generating at least one shaping geometry with an adapted set of shaping parameters for which the shaping target criteria are fulfilled at least within predetermined tolerances; and [0292] v) (denoted with reference number 136) determining at least one geometry of the at least one shaping tool 126 from the adapted set of shaping parameters.

    [0293] In FIG. 3A a flow chart of a computer-implemented method 138 for designing a manufacturing process for manufacturing at least one shaped body 112 is illustrated. The computer-implemented method for designing a manufacturing process for manufacturing at least one shaped body 112, e.g. the manufacturing process designing method 138, comprises the following steps, which may specifically be performed in the given order. Still, a different order may also be possible. It may be possible to perform two or more of the method steps fully or partially simultaneously. It may further be possible to perform one, more than one or even all of the method steps once or repeatedly. The method may comprise additional method steps which are not listed herein. The method steps of the designing method 138 are the following: [0294] I) (denoted with reference number 140) designing the shaped body 112 by using the designing method 110, specifically the computer-implemented method 110 for designing at least one shaped body 112 as described above or as described in further detail below, thereby determining at least one lead candidate geometry of the shaped body 112; and [0295] II) (denoted with reference number 142) designing at least one shaping tool 126 for manufacturing the shaped body 112 by using the shaping tool designing method 124, specifically the computer-implemented method 124 for designing at least one shaping tool 126 as described above or as disclosed in further detail below, and by using at least one negative geometry of the at least one lead candidate geometry determined in step I) 140 as a starting geometry.

    [0296] Further, as for example shown in the flow chart of a manufacturing process designing method 138 illustrated in FIG. 3B, the manufacturing process designing method 138 may comprise additional steps. In particular, the manufacturing process designing method 138 may, for example, comprise the following further steps: [0297] III) (denoted with reference number 144) prototyping the at least one shaping tool 126 from at least one geometry of the shaping tool 126 designed in step II); [0298] IV) (denoted with reference number 146) manufacturing the at least one shaped body 112 from the prototyped shaping tool 126; [0299] V) (denoted with reference number 148) experimentally validating one or more of the shaped body 112 and the shaping tool 126; and [0300] VI) (denoted with reference number 150) transferring information within the method 138.

    [0301] In FIG. 3C a flow chart of a different embodiment of a method 138 for designing a manufacturing process for manufacturing at least one shaped body 112 is shown. Specifically, as illustrated in the Figure, step I) 140 and step II) 142 may be performed iteratively. In particular, in step I) 140, the designing method 110, may be performed, wherein in step II) 142, the shaping tool designing method 124, may be performed. Thus, as an example, in step I) 140, the designing method 110, e.g. by simulating the shaped body in step d), may be used for defining the lead candidate geometry of the shaped body 112. As a further example, in step II) 142 the shaping tool designing method 124, e.g. by simulating a shaping process using the shaping tool 126 in step vi), may be used for optimizing the geometry of the shaping tool 126, e.g. of the shaping tool, required to produce at least one shaped body 112. In particular, step I) 140 and step II) 142, specifically the designing method 110 and the shaping tool designing method 124, may be performed individually and/or in combination, such as combined with each other, for example, in a feed-back loop. Thus, results from step I) 140, such as, for example, the lead candidate geometry for the shaped body 112, may be used in step II) 142. Additionally or alternatively, results from step II), such as, for example, the geometry of the shaping tool 126, may be used in step I) 140, specifically for generating the seed geometry. The designing method 110 and the shaping tool designing method 124 may be performed iteratively, such as to determine the shaping tool 126 and corresponding shaped body 112. Thus, as an example, the designing method 110 and the shaping tool designing method 124 may be performed iteratively until a best possible compromise between the target criteria for the shaped body 112 and the shaping target criteria for the shaping tool 126 may be found. In particular, more than one geometry of the shaping tool 126, such as a group of geometries of the shaping tool 126, may be determined, wherein subsequently, the most adequate geometry of the shaping tool 126 may be selected from the group of geometries of the shaping tool 126.

    [0302] In FIG. 4, an embodiment of a designing system 152 for designing at least one shaped body 112 is illustrated in a front plane view. The designing system 152 comprises at least one interface 154 configured for retrieving at least one set of target criteria for the shaped body 112. Further, the designing system 152 comprises at least one geometry defining unit 156 configured for defining at least one seed geometry for the shaped body 112. Further, the designing system 152 comprises at least one parameter generating unit 158 configured for generating a set of parameters comprising at least one geometry parameter of the seed geometry. Further, the designing system 152 comprises at least one simulation unit 160 configured for simulating the shaped body 112 by varying values of the set of parameters and by comparing simulated criteria for these values with the set of target criteria, thereby generating at least one adapted set of parameters for which the target criteria are fulfilled at least within predetermined tolerances. Further, the designing system 152 comprises at least one lead candidate geometry defining unit 162 configured for determining at least one lead candidate geometry of the at least one shaped body from the adapted set of parameters.

    [0303] The set of target criteria may comprise a plurality of target criteria, such as a first target criterion X.sub.1, a second target criterion X.sub.2, a third target criterion X.sub.3, and so on. As illustrated in FIG. 4, as an example, the set of target criteria may comprise eight target criterion X.sub.1 to X.sub.8. In particular, the target criteria may be weighed. Thus, as further illustrated in FIG. 4, each target criterion X.sub.1 to X.sub.8, may be individually weighed, which may be illustrated by an added weight identification ai to as. In particular, for example when using a multi-criteria optimization, the weight of individual criteria, such as of individual target criterion of the set of target criteria, may be chosen freely, specifically to an extent that within the optimization function an individual target criterion of the set of target criteria may be fully considered, e.g. α=1, or fully discarded, e.g. α=0, or anything in between, e.g. 0<α<1.

    [0304] As an example, the simulation unit 160 may be configured for simulating the shaped body 112. In FIG. 4, the simulating of the shaped body 112 may be illustrated by a first box 164 indicating the varying of values of the set of parameters, by a second box 166 indicating the comparing of the simulated criteria for these values with the set of target criteria, and by a third box 168 indicating an iterative performance of the simulation by feeding the varied values of the set of parameters back to the first box 164 such as to further vary the values. Thus, as illustrated, in the simulation unit 160, the values of the set of parameters may be varied iteratively until an adapted set of parameters may be found for which the target criteria are fulfilled at least within predetermined tolerances.

    [0305] In particular, when designing at least one shaped body 112 with the designing system 152, a seed geometry may be described, for example, with geometric parameters. Further, the geometry defining unit 156 may be used for defining the seed geometry, e.g. a generated geometry. The seed geometry may then be evaluated by using the simulation unit 160 for performing simulations according to pre-defined performance criteria, such as by varying values of the set of parameters and by comparing simulated criteria for these values with the set of target criteria until an adapted set of parameters is generated for which the target criteria are fulfilled. In detail, as an example, according to the result of the comparison, the values of the set of parameters, e.g. the geometric parameters, may be varied in the simulation, e.g. during an optimization loop, in a way that firstly a new geometry may have a higher probability of fulfilling the pre-defined criteria, e.g. the target criteria, and secondly may reduce simulation resources and time. In particular, the optimization loop may be conducted until a best possible compromise among targets may be reached, wherein further target criteria, such as boundary conditions may be respected.

    [0306] The target criteria may, for example, comprise constrains of geometry and weight. Thus, the target criteria may comprise pre-existing constrains of geometry, e.g. dimensions of existing shaping machines or existing application reactors, and weight, e.g. pre-existing constrain of a maximum and/or minimum weight inside application reactor. Further, the target criteria may, for example, comprise constrains of surface area, weight and density. Thus, the target criteria may comprise the geometric external surface area or weight of a single shaped body, the specific surface area of a single shaped body, e.g. a surface area divided by weight or its reciprocal, the surface or weight of the particles within reactor bed, the specific surface area of a reactor bed, e.g. a surface area of bed of shaped body divided by volume of empty reactor or its reciprocal, the loading density of a reactor bed, e.g. a weight of bed divided by surface area of bed or its reciprocal. Specifically, the target criteria may further include a BET surface area of a single particle or of the reactor bed, and/or the internal surface area of a single particle or of the reactor bed. Additionally or alternatively, the target criteria may include a pore structure of the shaped body or particle or of particles within the reactor bed. Further, the target criteria may for example include an accessible surface area of the reactor bed, i.e. when considering a blockage of the surface area due to the presence of other particles or reactor internal structure.

    [0307] Additionally or alternatively, the target criteria may be or may comprise a mechanical strength. Thus, the target criteria may comprise a crushing strength, i.e. a compressive strength, a tensile strength, a shear strength, a bending strength, a torsion strength, a cutting strength, an attrition, an abrasion, an elasticity, a torsion strength, or the like. It may specifically be uniaxial, multiaxial, isotropic and/or anisotropic. As an example, the target criteria may comprise a mechanical strength in fixed and/or moving and/or fluidized bed, specifically a mechanical strength in cycles of mechanical stress, of thermal stress, e.g. an increase and/or a decrease in temperature, of transportation stress and/or vibration induced stress. As an example, the target criteria comprising the mechanical strength may be measured, e.g. from measurements conducted with a material of for the shaped body. In particular, these measurements conducted with an arbitrary object having an arbitrary geometry, such as for example a simple geometry, e.g. a cylinder. Additionally or alternatively, information on the mechanical strength may be taken from state-of-the-art literature.

    [0308] Additionally or alternatively, the target criteria may be or may comprise a pressure drop, specifically a maximum and/or a minimum of pressure drop. Thus, the target criteria may comprise a pressure drop of a shaped body, specifically of a single shaped body and/or reactor bed, such as a reactor bed filled with shaped bodies. In particular, the pressure drop may be calculated by using, as an example, state-of-the-art mathematical correlations. Further, the pressure drop may be calculated and/or simulated by using, as an example, state-of-the-art tools such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and/or other methods. Specifically, the pressure drop may be calculated and/or simulated, for example, by using information on fluids and conditions, such as temperature, pressure and/or residence time, which may occur in a reactor. Additionally or alternatively, the pressure drop may be calculated and/or simulated, for example, by using estimated information on fluids and conditions. Additionally or alternatively, the pressure drop may be calculated and/or simulated, for example, by using similarity aspects, e.g. by estimating the pressure drop for similar geometries. These calculation and/or simulation approaches may, for example, allow for an absolute and/or relative comparison.

    [0309] Additionally or alternatively, the target criteria may be or may comprise a heat transport, specifically a maximum and/or a minimum of heat transport. Thus, the target criteria may comprise a heat transport of a shaped body, specifically of a single shaped body and/or reactor bed, such as a reactor bed filled with shaped bodies. In particular, the heat transfer may be calculated by using, as an example, state-of-the-art mathematical correlations. Further, the heat transfer may be calculated and/or simulated by using, for example, state-of-the-art tools such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD), finite element method (FEM) and distinct element method (DEM), and/or other methods available. Specifically, the heat transport may be calculated and/or simulated, for example, by using information on fluids and conditions, such as temperature, pressure and/or residence time, which may occur in a reactor. Additionally or alternatively, the heat transport may be calculated and/or simulated, for example, by using estimated information on fluids and conditions. Additionally or alternatively, the heat transport may be calculated and/or simulated, for example, by using similarity aspects, e.g. by estimating the heat transport for similar geometries.

    [0310] Additionally or alternatively, the target criteria may be or may comprise a mass transport, specifically a maximum and/or a minimum of mass transport. Thus, the target criteria may comprise a mass transport of a shaped body, specifically of a single shaped body and/or reactor bed, such as a reactor bed filled with shaped bodies. In particular, the mass transfer may be calculated by using, as an example, state-of-the-art mathematical correlations. Further, the mass transfer may be calculated and/or simulated by using, for example, state-of-the-art tools such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD), finite element method (FEM) and distinct element method (DEM), and/or other methods available. Specifically, the mass transport may be calculated and/or simulated, for example, by using information on fluids and conditions, such as temperature, pressure and/or residence time, which may occur in a reactor. Additionally or alternatively, the mass transport may be calculated and/or simulated, for example, by using estimated information on fluids and conditions. Additionally or alternatively, the mass transport may be calculated and/or simulated, for example, by using similarity aspects, e.g. by estimating the mass transport for similar geometries.

    [0311] Additionally or alternatively, the target criteria may be or may comprise a productivity, specifically a minimum and/or a maximum productivity. The productivity may specifically be estimated by using existing data of similar geometries. Additionally or alternatively, the productivity may be calculated and/or simulated by using manufacturing information, e.g. on production machines, such as production lines, and/or on product properties, e.g. product properties which may be needed to produce the desired geometry with the desired chemical composition and physio-chemical properties. Specifically, other target criteria, such as, for example, an extrusion pressure, an extrusion speed and/or a shear force upon extrusion, specifically for extrudates, and/or a compaction force, a machine rotation speed and/or an ejection force upon tableting, specifically for tablets, may be considered affecting the productivity, e.g. positively or negatively. Additionally or alternatively, the target criteria may be or may comprise any further criteria, such as for example, a technical criteria, such as a capacity of the shaped body to roll, an economic criteria, such as a market size or a market model, e.g. for a pre-determined group of geometries, a minimum and/or maximum expense, such as a production cost, e.g. a cost model for a pre-determined group of geometries.

    [0312] In FIG. 5, an embodiment of a shaping tool designing system 170 for designing at least one shaping tool 126 is illustrated in affront plane view. The shaping tool designing system 170 comprises at least one interface 172 configured for retrieving at least one set of shaping target criteria for the shaping tool 126. Further, the shaping tool designing system 170 comprises at least one geometry defining unit 174 configured for defining at least one starting geometry for the shaping tool 126. Further, the shaping tool designing system 170 comprises at least one shaping parameter generating unit 176 configured for generating a set of shaping parameters comprising at least one shape geometry parameter of the starting geometry. Further, the shaping tool designing system 170 comprises at least one simulation unit 178 configured for simulating a shaping process using the shaping tool by varying values of the set of shaping parameters and by comparing simulated shaping properties for these values with the set of shaping target criteria, thereby generating at least one adapted set of shaping parameters for which the shaping target criteria are fulfilled at least within predetermined tolerances. Further, the shaping tool designing system 170 comprises at least one shaping tool geometry defining unit 180 configured for determining at least one geometry of the at least one shaping tool from the adapted set of shaping parameters.

    [0313] The set of shaping target criteria may comprise a plurality of shaping target criteria, such as a first shaping target criterion Y.sub.1, a second shaping target criterion Y.sub.2, a third shaping target criterion Y.sub.3, and so on. As illustrated in FIG. 5, as an example, the set of shaping target criteria may comprise eight shaping target criterion Y.sub.1 to Y.sub.8. In particular, the shaping target criteria may be weighed. Thus, as further illustrated in FIG. 5, each shaping target criterion Y.sub.1 to Y.sub.8, may be individually weighed, which may be illustrated by an added weight identification β.sub.1 to β.sub.8. In particular, for example when using a multi-criteria optimization, the weight of individual criteria, such as of individual shaping target criterion of the set of shaping target criteria, may be chosen freely, specifically to an extent that within the optimization function an individual shaping target criterion of the set of shaping target criteria may be fully considered, e.g. β=1, or fully discarded, e.g. β=0, or anything in between, e.g. 0<β<1.

    [0314] As an example, the simulation unit 178 may be configured for simulating a shaping process using the shaping tool 126. In FIG. 5, the simulating a shaping process using the shaping tool 126 may be illustrated by a first box 182 indicating the varying of values of the set of shaping parameters, by a second box 184 indicating the comparing of the simulated shaping properties for these values with the set of shaping target criteria, and by a third box 168 indicating an iterative performance of the simulation by feeding the varied values of the set of shaping parameters back to the first box 182 such as to further vary the values. Thus, as illustrated, in the simulation unit 178, the values of the set of shaping parameters may be varied iteratively until an adapted set of shaping parameters may be found for which the shaping target criteria are fulfilled at least within predetermined tolerances.

    [0315] In particular, when designing at least one shaping tool 126 with the shaping tool designing system 170, a starting geometry may be described, for example, with geometric parameters. Further, the geometry defining unit 180 may be used for defining the starting geometry, e.g. a shaping tool geometry. The starting geometry may then be evaluated by using the simulation unit 178 for performing simulations according to pre-defined performance criteria, such as by varying values of the set of shaping parameters and by comparing simulated shaping properties for these values with the set of shaping target criteria until an adapted set of shaping parameters is generated for which the shaping target criteria are fulfilled. In detail, as an example, according to the result of the comparison, the values of the set of shaping parameters, e.g. the shaping tool geometric parameters, such as the geometric parameters, may be varied in the simulation, e.g. during an optimization loop, in a way that firstly a new geometry may have a higher probability of fulfilling the pre-defined criteria, e.g. the shaping target criteria, and secondly may reduce simulation resources and time.

    [0316] Specifically, when designing at least one shaping tool 126 with the shaping tool designing system 170, the properties of the material to be shaped, e.g. a density and/or a viscosity, and/or further the shaping target criteria, such as boundary conditions of the machines used for shaping, e.g. a maximum extrusion pressure and/or a minimum rotation speed of tableting machine, may be taken into consideration.

    [0317] As an example, the shaping tool designing method 124, may aim at identifying the geometry of shaping tools that allows the shaping of the starting material into the desired geometry, while maintaining the targeted product properties and manufacture productivity. In particular, the shaping tool designing method 124 may be used, as an example, to determine an optimized geometry of the shaping tool, e.g. the die, specifically for new geometries of shaped bodies. Additionally or alternatively, the shaping tool designing method 124 may be used for deriving new geometries of shaping tools for existing shaped bodies.

    [0318] When simulating the shaping process using the shaping tool 126, for example by using the simulation unit 178, as an example, physical properties of the material to be shaped may need to be estimated and/or measured to be used in the simulation.

    [0319] The shaping target criteria may, for example, comprise a material property of the material to be shaped. Thus, the shaping target criteria may comprise a viscosity, a powder bulk density, a compressibility, e.g. a compressibility-compactability curve. Additionally or alternatively, the shaping target criteria may, for example, comprise surface properties. In particular, a surface property of the shaping tool 126 may for example directly influence a surface of an object, e.g. of the shaped body 112, manufactured by using that shaping tool 126. Thus, the shaping target criteria may be or may comprise properties of the shaped body 112. In particular, the properties of the shaped body, e.g. a geometry, a weight, a mechanical strength, a porosity or the like, may be estimated from a measured and/or calculated and/or simulated results of a use of the shaping tool 126, e.g. as a shaping tool. Additionally or alternatively, the shaping target criteria may comprise boundary conditions of manufacturing machines, such as a machine geometry, a maximum allowed pressure, a maximum allowed shear force, a maximum allowed compaction force and/or a maximum allowed ejection force.

    [0320] Additionally or alternatively, the shaping target criteria may be or may comprise a productivity, specifically a minimum and/or a maximum productivity. The productivity may specifically be estimated by using existing data of similar geometries. Additionally or alternatively, the productivity may be calculated and/or simulated by using manufacturing information, e.g. on production machines, such as production lines, and/or on product properties, e.g. product properties which may be needed to produce the desired geometry with the desired chemical composition and physio-chemical properties. Specifically, other shaping target criteria, such as, for example, an extrusion pressure, an extrusion speed and/or a shear force upon extrusion, specifically for extrudates, and/or a compaction force, a machine rotation speed and/or an ejection force upon tableting, specifically for tablets, may be considered affecting the productivity, e.g. positively or negatively. Additionally or alternatively, the shaping target criteria may be or may comprise any further criteria, such as for example, a technical criteria, such as a capacity of the shaped body to roll, an economic criteria, such as a market size or a market model, e.g. for a pre-determined group of geometries, a minimum and/or maximum expense, such as a production cost, e.g. a cost model for a pre-determined group of geometries. In particular, the productivity may be influenced by a geometry of the shaping tool, e.g. of the die, and may thus influence its design.

    [0321] In FIGS. 6A to 6C, flow charts of different embodiments of a method 138 for designing a manufacturing process for manufacturing at least one shaped body 112 are illustrated. Specifically, as indicated by the arrows illustrated in FIG. 6A, step I) 140, step II) 142, step III) 144 and step V) 148 may be performed iteratively, wherein information may be transferred from step I) 140 to step II) 142, from step II) 142 to step III) 144, from step III) 144 to step V) 148 and from step V) 148 to step I) 140. In particular, from step I) 140, as an exemplary output, the lead candidate geometry, such as a geometry of the shaped body, e.g. a drawing of the geometry specifically digital form such as in form of an STL or CAD file, may be transferred as input to step II) 142. Further, from step II) 142, as an exemplary output, a geometry of the shaping tool 126 and/or a negative geometry of an extrusion geometry, e.g. in a digital form such as in a CAD file, and/or a surface quality and/or a surface tension and/or a surface roughness of the shaping tool, may be transferred as input to step III) 144. In particular, the information transferred from step II) 142 to step III) 144 may, for example, influence a material choice, a choice of manufacturing processes and/or a choice of follow-up treatment and/or after treatment, specifically when performing step III). Further, from step III) 144, as an exemplary output, the shaping tool 124 and/or design properties, such as a maximum extrusion pressure or the like, may be transferred as input to step V) 148. Further, from step V) 148, as an exemplary output, a feedback about tests, e.g. properties of the shaped body and/or information on a shaping condition, may be transferred as input to step I) 140.

    [0322] In particular, step I) 140 and step II) 142 may be performed individually and/or in combination with each other and/or in combination with any one of step III) 144, step IV) 146 (not illustrated) and step V) 148, in order to achieve firstly a lead candidate shape, e.g. an optimized geometry of the shaped body 112, and/or secondly a geometry for the shaping tool, e.g. an optimized geometry of the at least one die. As an example, the illustration of step VI) 150 may show that information may flow from one step to another, such as between any one of steps I) 140 to V) 148. Additionally or alternatively, information could be centralized, such as in a common data lake, wherein information from any of one of steps I) 140 to V) 148 may be centralized and any one of steps I) 140 to V) 148 may be able to access said information. In particular, the information transfer and/or exchange, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, may allow to accelerate a development and may make the process more seamless and transparent, e.g. more transparent to all members. Specifically, step III) 144, step IV) 146 (not illustrated) and step V) 148 may be performed individually and/or in combination with each other or in combination with step I) 140 and/or step II) 142. The method 138 for designing a manufacturing process for manufacturing at least one shaped body 112 may be initiated at any one of steps I) 140, II) 142, III) 144, IV) 146, V) 148 or VI) 150. In particular, each of the steps I) to VI) may provide a usable output.

    [0323] As an example, the method 138 for designing a manufacturing process for manufacturing at least one shaped body 112 may be applied to shaped bodies such as tablet, extrudate, honeycomb, three-dimensional printed bodies, particles, or any other two-dimensional or three-dimensional structures. The method 138 for designing a manufacturing process for manufacturing at least one shaped body 112 may specifically be configured for designing a manufacturing process for manufacturing a catalyst geometry. However, the method 138 for designing a manufacturing process for manufacturing at least one shaped body 112 may be applied for designing, e.g. optimizing, the geometry of any two-dimensional or three-dimensional object or body.

    [0324] In particular, as indicated by the arrows illustrated in FIG. 6B, information may also be transferred in both directions, specifically from step I) 140 to step II) 142, from step II) 142 to step III) 144, from step III) 144 to step V) 148 and from step V) 148 to step I) 140 and vice versa. In particular, from step II) 142, as an exemplary output, the geometry of the shaping tool, e.g. a geometric boundary condition of the shaping tool, and/or information on a necessary change in the geometry, e.g. information on the change of at least one wall thickness, may be transferred as input to step I) 140. As an example, information on how to operate a shaping machine used for processing the at least one shaped body 112, e.g. having the targeted geometry, may be transferred from step II) 142 to step V) 148. As a further example, information on the experimental validation, e.g. feedback information, may be transferred from step V) 148 to step II) 142. Further, from step III) 144, as an exemplary output, an available space for a geometry of the shaping tool 126 and/or a technical drawing of the shaping tool 126, e.g. a CAD model and/or a surface quality and/or a boundary condition of a construction, e.g. of a construction used in a prototyping process, may be transferred as input to step II) 142. Further, from step V) 148, as an exemplary output, a boundary condition of the shaping tool, e.g. of a die, such as for example a minimum and/or maximum pressure, and/or a characteristic of a machine used for shaping, such as a geometry of a shaping tool plate, and/or an error message, such as information on a high abrasion and/or information on a molding of the extrudate, may be transferred as input to step III) 144. In particular, the information transferred from step V) 148 to step III) 144 may, for example, influence a choice to adapt a surface, e.g. a surface of the shaping tool 126, and/or to improve a typology in order to adapt a flow characteristic, specifically when performing step III). Further, from step I) 140, as an exemplary output, a predicted property of the shaped body and/or information on which properties were optimized and/or the set of target criteria, may be transferred as input to step V) 148.

    [0325] Additionally or alternatively, as further illustrated in FIG. 6B, information may be transferred between all the steps by performing step VI) 150. In particular, from step II) 142, as an exemplary output, a predicted experimental setting, e.g. an extrusion speed and/or an extrusion pressure, and/or information on a velocity profile across the shaping tool 126, e.g. Information on a simulated velocity of the paste across the shaping tool 126, may be transferred as input to step V) 148. Further, from step V) 148, as an exemplary output, a viscosity of the material to be shaped, e.g. a paste viscosity, and/or information on an outcome of experiments with simple geometries, e.g. a pressure and/or a throughput, may be transferred as input to step II) 142. Further, from step I) 140, as an exemplary output, a lead candidate geometry, e.g. a geometry of the shaped body, such as an optimized geometry for example including a weight, and/or a quality of a property of the shaped body, e.g. a twist, may be transferred as input to step III) 144. Further, from step III) 144, as an exemplary output, a geometric boundary condition of the shaping tool, e.g. of the die, such as for example a specific file format, may be transferred as input to step I) 140.

    [0326] As an example, and output of either one of steps I) 140, II) 142 and/or step V) 148 may be automatically used in step III) 144, e.g. to generate at least one technical drawing, at least one three dimensional models and/or to specify a manufacturing of the shaping tool 126, e.g. of the shaping tool. Further, specifically in order to allow automatic use, a machine learning algorithm, an artificial intelligence and/or an neural network may be used.

    [0327] Specifically, as indicated by the further arrows illustrated in FIG. 6C, information may also be input into and/or output from each of step I) 140, step II) 142, step III) 144 and step V) 148. In particular, the input and/or output information, such as input and/or output, of each step may for example be gathered individually. Additionally or alternatively, the inputs and outputs of each step may be gathered in a central database. As an example, the inputs and outputs may be formatted in a standard report format, such as to facilitate documentation and comparison. Additionally or alternatively, the inputs and outputs may be or may comprise at least one technical file, such as at least one computer-aided design (CAD) drawing, a technical drawing and/or a technical specification. In detail, the input and/or output may be gathered and/or generated for each individual step. Additionally or alternatively, the input and/or output may be gathered and/or generated for any combination of steps, and even for a combination of all the method steps. Specifically, the input and/or output may be gathered and/or generated after each interaction between steps and/or after an overall target of the method may be fulfilled.

    [0328] In detail, input information, such as general input information, for step I) 140, e.g. an input information from a need owner into step I) 140, for example, may be or may comprise one or more of: a seed geometry; an input required for each target criterion, such as a material property, e.g. a catalyst material property and/or a Young module, and/or an application condition, such as a reactor geometry, e.g. a reactor diameter, and/or a reactor temperature; a multi-criteria optimization function; a simulation tool to be used in the simulation, such as a nonlinear algorithm, a stochastic algorithm, a genetic algorithm, an artificial intelligence and/or a neural network; a weight of at least one target criterion of the set of target criteria, e.g. for use in the multi-criteria optimization function; the set of target criteria. An output information from step I), e.g. an output information from step I) 140 to a need owner, for example, may be or may comprise one or more of: a report comprising information on the shaped body 112, e.g. a report containing a description of the optimized geometry; at least one property of the shaped body 112, e.g. a property of the lead candidate geometry; a comparison between different geometries for the shaped body; a list of options; a best option. In particular, information on the shaped body 112 may exist in a technical file, such as in a CAD-file and/or CAD-drawing.

    [0329] Further, input information, such as general input information, for step II) 142, e.g. an input information from a need owner into step II) 142, for example, may be or may comprise one or more of: a desired extrusion speed; a rheology of the material to be shaped, e.g. a rheology of the paste. An output information from step II) 142, e.g. an output information from step II) 142 to a need owner, for example, may be or may comprise a documentation of simulations, e.g. a simulated velocity profile in the shaping tool 126 and/or a velocity profile along the shaping tool 126 and/or further information, such as at least one picture As a further example, the output information from step II) may be or may comprise information on predicted settings of the shaping machine, such as an extrusion pressure, a tableting compression force, a throughput, or the like.

    [0330] Further, input information, such as general input information, for step III) 144, e.g. an input information from a need owner into step III) 144, for example, may be or may comprise one or more of: a boundary condition for the shaping tool 126, e.g. of at least one die, e.g. the geometry of the shaping tool 126; a prototyping information, e.g. a pressure; a requirement, such as a material requirement, e.g. for minimizing a corrosion. An output information from step III) 144, e.g. an output information from step III) 144 to a need owner, for example, may be or may comprise one or more of: the shaping tool 126, e.g. a prototyped die; a technical documentation, such as a technical drawing and/or a technical model.

    [0331] Further, input information, such as general input information, for step V) 148, e.g. an input information from a need owner into step V) 148, for example, may be or may comprise one or more of: a material information, specifically a material combination, e.g. a material recipe, such as a recipe to be tested: a mechanical information on the shaped body and/or on the shaping tool, specifically a stability of the catalyst; an information on a sensitivity of the shaped body and/or of the shaping tool to production parameters; information on which experiments have been conducted; information on analytic parameters, specific on required analytical parameters; information on the safety aspect of at least one experiment. An output information from step V) 148, e.g. an output information from step V) 148 to a need owner, for example, may be or may comprise one or more of: a behavior upon shaping the shaped body 112 with the shaping tool 126, e.g. an extrusion pressure versus a speed; an evaluation of the shaped body 112 and/or the shaping tool 126, e.g. of the optimized geometry, such as an evaluation of the optimized geometry using analytic parameters.

    [0332] In particular, the manufacturing process for manufacturing at least one shaped body 112 may be configured for fulfilling at least one need. In particular the need may, for example, be a combination of the target criteria of the designing method 110 and the shaping target criteria of the shaping tool designing method 124.

    [0333] In particular the at least one need to be fulfilled by the manufacturing process for manufacturing at least one shaped body 112 may be considered in the manufacturing process designing method 138. Thus in particular, the need, e.g. a combination of the target criteria and the shaping target criteria, may be identified based on at least one consideration of one or more of: a technology available for the manufacturing process; a cost, such as a production cost for the shaped body 112 and/or for the shaping tool 126; a market. In particular, the target criteria may be or may comprise one or more of: a maximum and minimum allowed pressure drop; target productivity in tons/day; or the like. Specifically, the shaping target criteria may be or may comprise one or more of: a maximum allowed extrusion pressure; maximum allowed rotation speed of tableting machine; or the like. Further, both the target criteria and the shaping target criteria, for example a boundary condition for the simulations and optimizations, of step I) 140 and step II) 142, may further be relevant for performing step III) 144 and may specifically be or may comprise one or more of: an extrusion constraint, such as a maximum diameter of extrusion die; a tableting constraint, such as a maximum tablet height; a shaping constraint, such as a genera boundary of the shaping process.

    [0334] As an example, a designing of the manufacturing process may specifically depend on the target criteria for the shaped body 112, such as on at least one required property of the shaped body. In particular, a geometry, e.g. a shape, and/or a material of the shaped body may determine the selection. In particular for complex shapes, new manufacturing technologies, such as for example, additive manufacturing, may be used. Dependent on the application, as an example, the additively manufactured parts may receive a finishing, such as a final treatment in order to smoothen the surface of the part. Thus, in case the shaping tool 126 may be prototyped or manufactured by using an additive manufacturing process, its surface may receive a finishing, e.g. a treatment in order to smoothen the surface. As an example, for finishing the surface of the shaping tool 126 one or more of the following technologies may be used: Electro Polishing, Plasma Polishing, Laser Polishing, Tumbling, Blasting, Hydro Erosive Grinding and MMP (Micro Machining Process).

    [0335] In FIG. 7 different embodiments of a shaped body 112 are illustrated. Specifically, the shaped bodies 112 may be arranged in a diagram according to at least one characteristic of each of the shaped bodies 112. In particular, as an example, the x-axis may refer to a side crushing strength 188 of the shaped bodies 112 and the y-axis may refer to a specific reactor surface area 190 of the shaped bodies 112.

    [0336] In FIG. 8A, an embodiment of a shaped body 112 is illustrated in a perspective view. In FIG. 8B an embodiment of a shaping tool 126 for manufacturing the shaped body 112 illustrated in FIG. 8A, is shown. The arrow indicates a direction of flow of a material through the shaping tool 126 illustrated in FIG. 8A.

    [0337] In FIG. 9A, an embodiment of a shaped body 112 is illustrated in a perspective view. In FIG. 9B section view of an embodiment of a shaping tool 126 for manufacturing the shaped body 112 illustrated in FIG. 9A, is shown. Again, the arrow indicates a direction of flow of a material through the shaping tool 126 in order to manufacture the respective shaped body 112.

    [0338] In FIGS. 10A to 10D, different embodiments of a shaping tool 126 are illustrated, each in a perspective view above and in a section view below. Specifically, a development of the geometry of the shaping tool 126 when simulating a shaping process using the shaping tool 126 in step iv) may be illustrated, wherein the shaping tool 126 illustrated in FIG. 10A may show the starting geometry and the shaping tool 126 illustrated in FIG. 10D may show the geometry of the shaping tool 126 determined from the adapted set of shaping parameters.

    [0339] In FIGS. 11A to 11D, different embodiments of a shaping tool 126 are shown in a perspective view and in FIGS. 12A to 12D different embodiments of a shaped body 112 manufactured by respectively using the shaping tools 126 illustrated in FIGS. 11A to 11D are illustrated. Specifically, FIGS. 11A to 12D may illustrate a simulation as conducted, for example, in step II) 142.

    [0340] In FIGS. 13A to 13D different embodiments of a shaping tool 126 are shown in a section view, wherein, again, a development of the geometry of the shaping tool 126 when simulating a shaping process using the shaping tool 126 in step iv) may be illustrated.

    LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

    [0341] 110 designing method [0342] 112 shaped body [0343] 114 step a) [0344] 116 step b) [0345] 118 step c) [0346] 120 step d) [0347] 122 step e) [0348] 124 shaping tool designing method [0349] 126 shaping tool [0350] 128 step i) [0351] 130 step ii) [0352] 132 step iii) [0353] 134 step iv) [0354] 136 step v) [0355] 138 manufacturing process designing method [0356] 140 step I) [0357] 142 step II) [0358] 144 step III) [0359] 146 step IV) [0360] 148 step V) [0361] 150 step VI) [0362] 152 designing system [0363] 154 interface [0364] 156 geometry defining unit [0365] 158 parameter generating unit [0366] 160 simulation unit [0367] 162 lead candidate geometry defining unit [0368] 164 first box [0369] 166 second box [0370] 168 third box [0371] 170 shaping tool designing system [0372] 172 interface [0373] 174 geometry defining unit [0374] 176 shaping parameter generating unit [0375] 178 simulation unit [0376] 180 shaping tool geometry defining unit [0377] 182 first box [0378] 184 second box [0379] 186 third box [0380] 188 side crushing strength