  A novel approach to the modelling and simulation of the industrial compaction
process of ceramic powders is proposed, based on a combination of: (i)
continuum mechanics modelling of the constitutive response of the material;
(ii) finite element discretization and computer implementation of the
mechanical model; (iii) parametric identification by a multi-objective
optimization of simulated experimental tests. The capabilities of the proposed
approach are highlighted through computer simulations of realistic industrial
compaction processes, namely, the forming of an axisymmetric tablet and of a
three-dimensional ceramic tile. The presented methods and the pointed out
results pave the way for the introduction of so-called virtual prototyping into
the industrial practice of ceramic forming processes.
