*Article* **Billet Straightening by Three-Point Bending and Its Automation**

**Radim Halama 1,\*, Jan Sikora 2,\*, Martin Fusek 1,\*, Jaromír Mec 3, Jana Bartecká <sup>1</sup> and Renata Wagnerová <sup>2</sup>**


**Abstract:** This paper presents the current results of cooperation focused on automatic billet straightening machine development. First, an experimental study of three-point bending realized on small specimens is presented to explain the basic ideas of the straightening. Then, the main regimes of straightening and the algorithm itself are described together. Subsequent finite element simulations of operational experiments show the applicability of the developed theory. The significance of material parameters estimation is depicted in this work. At least four parameters have to be properly determined for a new material in the straightening process.

**Keywords:** straightening process; three-point bending; FEM; control strategy; billet straightening
