Estimation of springback in double-curvature forming of plates: Experimental evaluation and process modeling

This paper presents the results obtained from a series of experiments on double-curvature forming of 300 mm square and 15 mm thick plates of type 316L(N) stainless steel to evaluate the inherent springback and also to validate finite element method (FEM) based process model developed for forming of multiple-curvature sectors of large size vessels. The experimental results show that twisting of the plate occurs during pressing, which is unavoidable in an actual forming setup on the shop floor. Twisting increases with increase in slope of the die cavity. Springback in the plate changes in an ascending order towards the centerline of the plate from the edges. The final radius of curvature (ROC) on the pressed plate after springback does not remain constant along a particular axis although the die and the punch had constant ROC along that axis because of varying constraint to opening up of the plate from centerlines to the edges. Springback also increases with reduction in the stiffness of the die and punch. The simulated plate profiles obtained from the FEM process model for multiple-curvature plate forming compared well with the experiments, the maximum error being within 6%. The process model used a sequential dynamic explicit formulation for the plate pressing phase and a static implicit formulation for the unloading (springback) phase in the Lagrangian framework. Reduced integration shell elements were used for the plate and the die and the punch were considered rigid. Dynamic explicit FEM for pressing and static implicit FEM for the unloading phase are adequate and economic for modeling of plate forming process by using FEM. The necessary material and frictional property data needed for the FEM process model were generated in-house. This model can be applied to design of dies and punches for forming the petals of large pressure vessels. The FEM process model predicts the final shape of the product and the residual cold work level for a given die, punch and plate configuration and this information can be used to correct the die and punch shapes for springback to manufacture the petals to the desired accuracy.     

Investigations of friction stir welding process using finite element method

The aim of this study is to investigate the process of friction stir welding (FSW) by using finite element method (FEM). Currently, the materials that are difficult to be joined with conventional fusion methods can now be easily joined with the method of friction stir welding. In this paper, the welding capability of many different materials with this method has been investigated by using analytical and numeric methods. In this study, a finite element (FE) model was developed for welding process with friction stir welding of AZ31 magnesium alloy. This model was performed by the software of DEFORM 3D finite element in 960, 1,964, and 2,880 rpm rotational speeds and in 10 and 20 mm?min^?1 transverse speeds. The temperature values taken from experiments and the temperature values with FEM are compared, and according to these results, it can be stated that the FE model gives reasonable results with experimental results based on temperatures values. Hence, the FE model can be used to predict other parameters of FSW process in future studies.     

The application of abductive networks and FEM to predict the limiting drawing ratio in sheet metal forming processes

The deep drawing process, one of the sheet metal forming methods, is very useful in the industrial field because of its efficiency. The limiting drawing ratio (LDR) is affected by many material and process parameters, such as the strain-hardening exponent, the plastic strain ratio, friction and lubrication, the blank holder force, the presence of drawbeads, the profile radius of the die and punch, etc. In order to verify the finite element method (FEM) simulation results of the LDR, the experimental data are compared with the results of the current simulation. The influences of the process parameters such as the blank holder force, the profile radius of the die, the clearance between the punch and the die, and the friction coefficient on the LDR are also examined. The abductive network was then applied to synthesize the data sets obtained from the numerical simulation. The predicted results of the LDR from the prediction model are in good agreement with the results obtained from the FEM simulation. By employing the predictive model, it can provide valuable references to the prediction of the LDR under a suitable range of process parameters.     

复杂形状的中厚板件拉深成形动力显示有限元分析

将厚向异性屈服函数、单元级双面接触算法的能够反映强烈弯曲效应的M ind lin曲壳单元模型引入动力显式中心差分格式的有限元算法,并组入自主开发的板成形CAE商品化软件KMAS系统中,建立对复杂形状的中厚板件拉深成形有限元模拟分析算法;在此基础上,以轿车摇臂厚板金件为例分析了材料厚向异性参数r值、凹模圆角以及压边力大小对此类成形件成形性的影响。通过数值模拟与实际拉深成形实验的对比,验证了本文方法的有效性;同时,结合实验研究了此类单元对工具弯曲圆角大小的适应性。     

FINITE ELEMENT SIMULATION AND OPTIMIZATION OF MULTISTAGE WARM/HOT FORMING FOR OUTER RACE

A multistage warm/hot forming is simulated for the cross grove outer race of constant velocity joint, using athermo-mechanical coupled rigid viscoplastic finite element method, and specially some problem for process development and die design are analyzed. A forming test shows that computed results have good agreement with experimentalresults. Above obtained results can be applied to development of multistage warm/hot forming process and die designfor outer race.     

汽车前轴精密辊锻成形过程的数值模拟

汽车前轴的精辊-模锻工艺是一种用小成形力锻造设备成形较大型前轴锻件的塑性加工技术,其工艺关键在于精密辊锻。前轴的精密辊锻分4个道次,是典型的局部成形工艺。辊锻工艺由于旋转的模具与辊锻件之间的接触区域在不断变化,一直以来成为数值模拟的难点。对4个道次的模具建立了模型,采用三维刚塑性有限元程序DEFORM-3D模拟了前轴精密辊锻工艺,分析了辊锻过程中金属变形的规律,研究了模具参数对成形质量的影响以及辊锻力矩的变化规律。模拟结果对于改进辊锻工艺设计、提高模具设计水平具有指导作用。     

Development of an Intelligent System for Selection of the Process Variables in Gas Metal Arc Welding Processes

Gas metal arc (GMA) welding is extensively employed in the metal industries for a variety of ferrous and non-ferrous metals because of its potential for increasing the productivity and quality of welding which is controlled by the process parameters. The objective of this paper is to develop an algorithm that enables the determination of process variables for optimised bead geometry for robotic GMA welding. It depends on the inversion of empirical Eq. derived from multiple regression analysis of the relationships between the process variables and the bead dimensions using the least-squares method. The method determines directly those variables which will give the desired set of bead geometry. This avoids the need to iterate by a succession of guesses which are employed in the finite element method (FEM). These results suggest that process variables from experimental equations for robotic GMA welding may be employed to monitor and control the bead geometry in real-time.     

The design of blank’s initial shape in the near net-shape deep drawing of square cup

Deep drawing process is very useful in industrial field because of its efficiency. The deep drawing is affected by many process variables, such as blank shapes, profile radii of punch and die, formability of materials and so on. Especially, in order to obtain the optimal products in deep drawing process, blank shape is very important formability factor. In this paper, the finite element method is used to investigate the cup height of the square cup drawing process. In order to verify the prediction of FEM simulation of the product’s height and forming load in the square cup drawing process, the experimental data are compared with the results of the current simulation. A finite element analysis is also utilized to acquire the designed profile of the drawn products, a reverse forming method for obtaining the initial blank’s shape according to the forward square cup drawing simulation is proposed. The design of initial blank’s shape is also certified to obtain the designed profile of drawn cups by experiment. The influences of the blank’s shape on the height of product, the forming load, the maximum effective stress and the maximum effective strain are also examined.     

基于非线性有限元的钣金件成形极限研究

用非线性有限元软件包 SHEET- FORMING研究橡皮成形工艺的模具圆角半径和板料厚度对钣金件凹凸翻边成形极限的影响 ,建立了用于预测橡皮成形工艺成败和分析其原因的极限翻边高度 h、模具圆角半径 r凹 / r凸 、板料厚度 t的曲面关系 ,用非线性有限元法有效地取代了坐标网应变法。文中主要论述 ,以圆框为对象 (L Y12 M)和用试验得到的成形极限曲线作判据 ,选取合适参数范围作正交设计 ,用动力显式算法对凹翻边破裂数值模拟并与生产型试验结果进行对比基本吻合。     

一种估计管材硬化模型参数的方法

管材力学性能参数的准确性是影响管材塑性成形有限元数值模拟质量的关键因素之一。单向拉伸试验的试件取自滚弯和焊接等制管工序之前的平板坯料 ,所测应力—应变关系无法真实描述管材的塑性变形行为。单向拉伸试验也不能精确反映管材在实际塑性成形中所处的复杂应力状态。基于各向同性硬化假设 ,本文提出了一种轴压胀形、单向压缩试验和数据拟合技术相结合的估计管材硬化模型参数的方法。有限元数值模拟结果显示 ,由这种方法所估计出的管材硬化模型参数是相当准确的。     

板料超塑胀形过程仿真及其应用

板料超塑胀形通常需要高温密闭环境,测试分析困难。本文在刚粘塑性有限元法的基础上开发了超塑胀形计算机仿真系统。应用仿真系统可对材料变形过程进行动态仿真,预测成形件壁厚分布,优化确定成形压力 时间曲线,为成形工艺设计提供有效分析工具。文中给出了“碗”形零件气压胀形仿真实例。     

Forming Machine Qualification by Analysis of Manufactured Parts Geometry: Application to Aluminium Forming Process

Today, manufacturing companies work in a concurrent engineering context. In this paper, we develop a methodology to validate the modelling of an aluminium forming process based on dimensional characterisation and finite element comparison. Generally, finite element modelling (FEM) is used to validate die design in parallel with an experimental process. In this work, we use FEM to design forming tools in a first step. In a second step, measurement in the three dimensions gives the sheet metal process machine tool errors, and it is necessary to integrate the reasons for these defects in the process of concurrent engineering in the field of metal forming. Finally, we conclude that multiscale models should be used to model the mechanical process ID="A1"Correspondance and offprint requests to: R. Bigot, LGIPM, EA 3096, ENSAM Metz, Technopole 2000, 4, rue Augustin Fresnel, 57078 Metz Cedex, France. E-mail: regis.bigot@metz.ensam.fr     

Theoretical and experimental investigation of cold hobbing processes in cases of cone-like punch manufacturing

Optimal tool making is of great importance for reducing costs and increasing the performance of toolsets. The dies and punches, which are basic components of any metal forming toolset, are usually produced by machining, but this technology requires relatively long manufacturing times, characterized by significant material and energy waste. By replacing machining operations or combining them with forming ones, such as cold hobbing (indenting), significant cost and time savings, as well as improvement of tool performance could be achieved. Cold hobbing could be applied to making die cavities as well as shaping punch profiles. Investigations showed that a large number of variables influence the successful application of this technique. However, there is a scarcity of literature regarding the choice of relevant process parameters for the hobbing process. With this in mind, the aim of this paper is to yield further insight into the hobbing process. Special focus will be placed on the influence of the hob geometry on the deformation process and relevant process parameters. This paper presents theoretical, numerical, and experimental investigations of a cold hobbing process in which a cone-like punch is obtained. The upper-bound method was used for metal flow analysis and optimization of hob geometry. Stress–strain distribution, workpiece geometry prediction, and load estimation were obtained with the finite element method (FEM) using Simufact.Forming 8.1 software. The results were analyzed, compared, and discussed.     

Mould correction for sheet-metal multi-step incremental air-bending forming based on close-loop control and FEM simulation

There exist errors between the manufactured workpieces and the CAD models due to the springback of sheet-metal incremental air-bending forming. To reduce these errors, an off-line closed-loop control iterative algorithm, combined by fast Fourier and wavelet transform, is developed from the displacement adjustment method (DAM), smooth displacement adjustment method (SDAM) and deformation transfer function method (DTFM) for die surface. With this algorithm, the mould surface of sheet-metal incremental air-bending forming could be properly corrected, and the springback errors of the formed workpieces could be effectively reduced. In order to reduce mould cost and labor cost, the springback tests of workpieces forming, needed in the iterative process of closed-loop control system, are substituted by finite element model (FEM) simulation. The above correction algorithm was used in a semiellipse-shape workpiece incremental air-bending forming. Its average errors are +0.74/−0.39 mm. The results show that the mould correction algorithm with Fourier and wavelet transform is reasonable and the means of FEM simulation are effective. It can be taken as a new approach for sheet-metal multi-step incremental air-bending forming and mould design.     

高频电液激振冷挤压数值模拟及其减载实验研究

针对冷挤压成形过程中流动应力大、零件成形所需压力高的问题,提出了一种新的挤压工艺,设计了一种新的电液高频轴向振动激励冷挤压试验平台及相应冷挤压模具。利用Deform-3D软件建立了有限元分析模型,分析了在轴向振动激励下该模型的成形过程降载效果,精确地模拟了万向节轴套的冷挤压成形过程的挤压力的变化,比较了传统挤压形式下和轴向振动激励形式下的成形压力值,通过挤压试验验证了模型模拟的准确性。试验结果表明,该新的挤压成形工艺能使万向节杯套成形压力降低21.78%,减载效果明显。研究结果表明,这种新的成形工艺可以为一些难成形零件的冷挤压成形加工打下良好基础。     

Metal flow characteristics of local loading forming process for rib-web component with unequal-thickness billet

To explore the metal flow and filling law of large-scale rib-web component local loading forming process is important for fast design of unequal-thickness billet (UTB), parameter optimization and process control of the rib-web component local loading forming process. T-shaped component forming under UTB can reflect the forming characteristics in the large-scale rib-web component forming process. In the forming process by using UTB, the width of local loading changes dynamically, the thickness difference of billet changes notably, and the boundary conditions are very complex. By introducing new assumptions, variables and boundary conditions, a mathematical model for local loading pattern caused by UTB is established by using slab method (SM). Based on the virtualizing experimental data observed by finite element method (FEM), a predicted model for the dynamic width of local loading is established by using polynomial regression and partial least squares (PLS) regression. Comparing with FEM results indicates that the relative differences are less than about 10 % for predicted model of local loading width. Comparing with FEM and physical modeling experimental results indicates that the relative differences are less than about 15 % for SM model. The metal flow, cavity fill, and increased width of local loading under local loading condition are studied by using the mathematical models and numerical simulation, and the results indicate that: the metal flow and deformation pattern under local loading are determined by the thickness of billet and the width of local loading; the increased width of local loading is determined by initial geometric parameters, and the forming parameters such as materials (Ti-6Al-4 V and Ti-6Al-2Zr-1Mo-1 V), loading speed (0.1–1.0 mm/s), temperature (950–970 °C), etc. have little influence on it; the value of x _k (position of neutral layer) under local loading pattern caused by geometric parameters of billet is less than that caused by geometric parameters of die at initial forming stage.     

薄壁铝合金结构焊接应力变形数值模拟

实际结构焊接过程的三维数值模拟因为计算量大而往往难以进行。为了采用三维热弹塑性有限元方法对薄 壁铝合金结构的焊接过程进行数值模拟,提出了粘贴单元和混和单元两种网格划分技术相结合的单元划分方案进 行有限元建模,通过薄板对接模型试验验证了此方案的可行性,并研究了不同建模方案对计算效率的影响。将这 种单元划分方案应用到实际薄壁筒体结构焊接过程的数值模拟中,对焊接过程产生的残余应力和变形进行了成功 地预测。结果表明:对于薄壁构件,采用粘贴单元和混合单元相结合的单元划分方案可以在保证一定精度的前提 下,可大大减少有限元网格划分工作量,同时可降低计算规模,提高计算效率。     

Development of a MIAB welding module and experimental analysis of rotational behavior of arc—simulation of electromagnetic force distribution during MIAB welding of steel pipes using finite element analysis

Magnetically impelled arc butt (MIAB) welding is a unique forge welding process in which an arc is drawn in the gap between the two tubes to be welded in order to raise them to a high temperature to allow forging to form a solid-state weld. In this case, the arc is rotated with a high speed around the weld line by an electromagnetic force resulting from the interaction of the magnetic field and the arc current. This paper presents the details of the results and the conclusions of the experimental trials conducted on the MIAB module designed and developed based on the principle. Further, nonlinear electromagnetic analysis has been performed to determine the magnetic field and electromagnetic force distribution in MIAB process using finite element package ANSYS. Typical results of this analysis pertaining to magnetic field are compared with the experimental data for steel tubes (outer diameter 47 mm and thickness of 2 mm). It is observed that the results from finite element analysis and the experimental trials are in excellent agreement. The proposed three-dimensional finite element method model for electromagnetic force distribution facilitates comprehensive understanding of the arc rotation process in MIAB welding.     

考虑接触演变的板材回弹过程建模与优化

回弹是由工件在卸载后的弹性变形引起的。板料成形过程中为了控制成形件的最终形状,必须进行回弹设计优化。准确预测回弹对于板料成形过程的模具设计非常重要。降低回弹模拟结果与试验结果的偏差是设计过程中的难题。基于NUMISHEET’02的自由弯曲标准考题考虑板材与模具间的接触演变过程,建立了一个有限元模型来预测回弹。采用一个常规的优化方法对有限元分析中的材料和单元模型进行了分析,研究发现不同模型对回弹结果有较大影响。模拟结果与参考文献中的试验结果比较表明了模型的正确性和可行性。     

Multi-objective optimization of forming parameters for tube hydroforming process based on the Taguchi method

Tube hydroforming is an attractive manufacturing technology which is now widely used in many industries, especially the automobile industry. The purpose of this study is to develop a method to analyze the effects of the forming parameters on the quality of part formability and determine the optimal combination of the forming parameters for the process. The effects of the forming parameters on the tube hydroforming process are studied by finite element analysis and the Taguchi method. The Taguchi method is applied to design an orthogonal experimental array, and the virtual experiments are analyzed by the use of the finite element method (FEM). The predicted results are then analyzed by the use of the Taguchi method from which the effect of each parameter on the hydroformed tube is given. In this work, a free bulging tube hydroforming process is employed to find the optimal forming parameters combination for the highest bulge ratio and the lowest thinning ratio. A multi-objective optimization approach is proposed by simultaneously maximizing the bulge ratio and minimizing the thinning ratio. The optimization problem is solved by using a goal attainment method. An example is given to illustrate the practicality of this approach and ease of use by the designers and process engineers.