Colloquia

Summary

In response to the increasing demand for sustainable packaging, this master’s thesis focuses on optimizing the deep drawing process for aluminum coffee capsules. In collaboration with AMCOR packaging, this research aims to address the challenges of incorporating downgauged and high-recycled-content aluminum while maintaining the structural integrity and quality of the final product.

Through a detailed evaluation of deep drawing parameters—such as drawing ratios and process kinematics—this study aims to enhance process efficiency and material sustainability. The findings will contribute to advancing environmentally friendly manufacturing practices in the coffee capsule industry by developing a digital tool pipeline to analyse complex manufacturing processes, replacing heuristics, and enabling seamless collaboration among stakeholders.

Using Finite Element Analysis, the process is numerically analysed by incorporating advanced material modelling techniques. To ensure accurate representation of material behaviour, material models are developed through tensile tests conducted at the university. The accuracy of the numerical solution is tested through validation experiments.