Application of an upper bound method to off-centric extrusion of square sections, analysis and experiments

The previously given analytical method [1], which was based on the upper-bound theory, was used to design the streamlined dies and to investigate the three dimensional off-centric extrusion of circular sections from initially circular billets through linearly converging (ruled-surface) and smooth curved (advancedsurface) dies. For a reasonably correct upper-bound to the load, a set of generalised kinematically admissible velocity fields were derived on the assumption of Bezier-type streamlines by incorporating a special velocity function that takes care of the non-uniform material flow. Based on the present method, for a given reduction in area, material property, friction condition and off-centric positioning of the exit cross-section, computations were carried out to predict the upper-bound to the extrusion pressures, the deforming grid patterns and curvature of the extruded product. Experiments were carried out for some off-centric circular sections with varying die lengths and reduction in areas. A sophisticated CAD/CAM package was used in conjunction with the CNC and EDM processes to manufacture the streamlined dies for the off-centric extrusion of circular rods. Both the solid and split-type specimens made of tellurium lead under both the lubricated and the dry conditions were used for experimental investigations in order to assess pressures, deformation modes and to visualise the deforming grid patterns. The theoretical predictions were observed to be in good agreement with the experimental.