Analysis and finite element simulation of the tube bulge hydroforming process

To investigate the effect of the loading path on the forming result and get the reasonable range of the loading path in tube bulge hydroforming process, a mathematical model considering the forming tube as an ellipsoidal surface is proposed to examine the plastic deformation behavior of a thin-walled tube during the tube bulge hydroforming process in an open die, and thus different loading paths are gained based on this model. The finite element code Ls-Dyna is also used for simulating the tube bulge hydroforming process. The effect of the loading paths on the bulged shape and the wall thickness distribution of the tube are discussed, and then the reasonable range of the loading path for the tube bulge hydroforming process is determined.     

Analysis and finite element simulation of the tube bulge hydroforming process

To investigate the effect of the loading path on the forming result and get the reasonable range of the loading path in tube bulge hydroforming process, a mathematical model considering the forming tube as an ellipsoidal surface is proposed to examine the plastic deformation behavior of a thin-walled tube during the tube bulge hydroforming process in an open die, and thus different loading paths are gained based on this model. The finite element code Ls-Dyna is also used for simulating the tube bulge hydroforming process. The effect of the loading paths on the bulged shape and the wall thickness distribution of the tube are discussed, and then the reasonable range of the loading path for the tube bulge hydroforming process is determined.     

Optimization of loading path in hydroforming T-shape using fuzzy control algorithm

The loading path is crucial to the quality of forming parts in the process of tube hydroforming, and thus the design and optimization of loading path is an important issue for tube hydroforming. Wrinkling is a catastrophic defect for thin-walled tube hydroforming. In order to avoid wrinkling, an adaptive simulation approach integrated with a fuzzy control algorithm is used to optimize the loading path of hydroforming a T-shaped tube. The tubular material used is stainless steel and has an outer diameter of 103 mm and the wall thickness of 1.5 mm. The controlled variables are the axial feeding, the counterpunch displacement, and the internal pressure. A code is developed to make the optimization automatically, which works together with LS-DYNA. Six evaluation functions are adopted for identifying geometrical shape and quality of T-shape. Failure indicators obtained from the simulation results are used as the input of the fuzzy control, and then process parameters are adjusted according to the expert experiences in the fuzzy controller. In this way, a reasonable loading path for producing a sound T-shape is obtained, and also a T-shaped product is successfully hydroformed by experiment. The result shows that the fuzzy control algorithm can provide an adequately reliable loading path for hydroforming T-shaped tubes.     

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。     

Bursting failure prediction in tube hydroforming using FLSD

In tube hydroforming, circular components are hydrobulged or hydroformed from tubular blanks with internal pressure and simultaneous axial loading. Thus the tube can be fed into the deformation zone during the bulge operation allowing more expansion and less thinning without any defects such as wrinkling, buckling, and bursting. By contrast with the buckling and the wrinkling, the bursting is generally classified as an irrecoverable failure mode. Hence in order to obtain the sound hydroformed products, it is necessary to predict the bursting behavior and to analyze the effects of process parameters on this failure condition in hydroforming processes. In this study, a forming limit stress diagram (FLSD) is constructed by plotting the calculated principal stresses based on the local necking criterion. Using the theoretical FLSD, we carry out the numerical prediction of bursting failure in a hydroforming process, which usually has non-linear strain path. Finite element analyses are carried out to find out the state of stresses during simple hydroforming operation, in which the FLSD is utilized as the forming limit criterion for assessment of the initiation of necking, and influences of the material parameters on the formability are investigated. In addition, the numerical results obtained from the FEM combined with the FLSD are confirmed with a series of bulge tests in view of bursting pressure and show a good agreement. Consequently, it is shown that the theoretical and numerical approach to bursting failure prediction proposed in this paper will provide a feasible method to satisfy the increasing practical demands for assessment of the forming severity in hydroforming processes.     

Development of a hydroforming setup for deep drawing of square cups with variable blank holding force technique

Sheet hydroforming is a process that uses fluid pressure for deformation of a blank into a die cavity of desired shape. This process has high potential to manufacture complex auto body and other sheet metal parts. Successful production of parts using hydroforming mainly depends on design aspects of tooling as well as control of important process parameters such as closing force or blank holding force (BHF) and variation of fluid pressure with time. An experimental setup has been designed and developed for hydroforming of square cups from thin sheet materials. Square cups have been deep drawn using constant and variable BHF techniques. A methodology has been established to determine the variable BHF path for successful hydroforming of the cups with the assistance of programmable logic controller and data acquisition system. Finite element (FE) simulations have also been carried out to predict formability with both of these techniques. It has been found that it is possible to achieve better formability in terms of minimum corner radius and thinning in the case of variable BHF technique than in the case of constant BHF technique (constant force during forming and calibration). The results of FE analysis have been found to be in good agreement with experimental data.     

Modelling Deformation of Hydroformed Circular Plates Using Neural Networks

The process of applying fluid pressure to form metal sheets into desired shapes is widely used in the industry and is known as hydroforming. Similar to most other metal forming processes, hydroforming leads to non-homogeneous plastic deformation of the workpiece. Predicting the amount of deformation caused by any sheet metal forming process leads to better products. In this paper, a model is developed to predict the amount of deformation caused by hydroforming using an artificial intelligence technique known as neural networks. The data used to design the neural network model is collected from an apparatus that was designed and built in our laboratory. The neural network model has a feedforward architecture and uses Powell’s optimisation techniques in the training process. Single- and two-hidden-layer feedforward neural network models are used to capture the nonlinear correlations between the input and output data. The neural network model was able to predict the centre deflection, the thickness variation, and the deformed shape of circular plate specimens with good accuracy. ID="A1"Correspondance and offprint requests to: Dr M. Karkoub, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department, College of Engineering and Petroleum, Kuwait University, PO Box 5969, Safat 13060, Kuwait     

航空铝合金复杂构件充液柔性成形过程及质量控制研究

针对某型号飞机铝合金复杂构件充液成形的失效形式,采用有限元数值模拟和试验的手段,研究了毛坯形状、液室压力等关键工艺参数对成形失效的影响,给出了铝合金复杂构件充液成形质量控制的措施,为此类型航空复杂构件的充液成形提供了技术指导。     

Experimental and numerical study of stamp hydroforming of sheet metals

The objectives of this research was to experimentally and numerically study the stamp hydroforming process as a means for shaping aluminum alloy sheets. In stamp hydroforming, one or both surfaces of the sheet metal are supported with a pressurized viscous fluid to assist with the stamping of the part thereby eliminating the need for a female die. The pressurized fluid serves several purposes: (1) supports the sheet metal from the start to the end of the forming process, thus yielding a better formed part, (2) delays the onset of material failure and (3) reduces wrinkle formation. This paper focuses on the experimental and numerical results of the stamp hydroforming process utilizing a fluid pressure applied to one surface of the sheet metal. The effects of applying a constant, varying and localized pressure to the surface of 3003-H14-aluminum sheet alloy were evaluated. Experiments demonstrated draw depths improvements up to 31% before the material failed. A failure prediction analysis by Hsu was also carried out to predict an optimal fluid pressure path for the varying fluid pressure case. The commercial finite element analysis code Ls-Dyna3D was used to numerically simulate the stamp hydroforming process. Both isotropic and anisotropic material models were used and their predictions compared against the experimental results. The numerical simulations utilizing Barlat's anisotropic yield function accurately predicted the location of the material failure and the wrinkling characteristics of the aluminum sheet.     

An analysis of localized necking in aluminium alloy tubes during hydroforming using a continuum damage model

In this work, localized necking in aluminium alloy tubes subjected to free hydroforming is analyzed. The main objective is to study the influence of loading conditions, such as prescribed fluid pressure or volume flow rate in conjunction with axial end feed, on the nature of the forming limit curve (FLC). To this end, the strain histories experienced at the tube mid-length, which were computed in an earlier investigation [14] [Varma NSP, Narasimhan R. A numerical study of the effect of loading conditions on tubular hydroforming, Journal of Materials Processing Technology 2005; [Submitted for publication]], are analyzed using the Marciniak–Kuczynski (M–K) method along with an anisotropic version of the Gurson model. The Gurson constitutive parameters are determined following an inverse approach using the sheet FLC for the chosen alloy. The predicted FLC for combined pressure and axial contraction corroborates well with the experimental data obtained in [12] [Kulkarni A, Biswas P, Narasimhan R, Luo A, Stoughton T, Mishra R, Sachdev AK. An experimental and numerical study of necking initiation in aluminium alloy tubes during hydroforming. International Journal of Mechanical Sciences 46:2004;1727–46] and is almost flat, whereas it is akin to the sheet FLC and increases with negative minor strain when fluid volume is specified. The forming limit strains for loading with specified fluid volume are in general higher when compared to those with prescribed fluid pressure. Finally, it is demonstrated that a transition from axial to circumferential necking occurs when high ratios of axial extension to volume flow rate are applied to the tube.     

Hydroforming of aluminum extrusion tubes for automotive applications. Part II: process window diagram

Based on the mathematical formulations for predicting forming limits induced by buckling, wrinkling and bursting of free-expansion tube hydroforming, a theoretical “Process Window Diagram” (PWD) is proposed and established in this paper. The theory developed in the first part of the present work was formulated within the context of free-expansion tube hydroforming with both combined internal pressure and end feeding. The PWD is designed to provide a quick assessment of part producibility for tube hydroforming. The predicted PWD is validated against experimental results conducted for 6260-T4 60×2×320 (mm) aluminum tubes. An optimal loading path is also proposed in the PWD with an attempt to define the ideal forming process for aluminum tube hydroforming. Parametric studies show that the PWD has a strong dependency on tube geometry, material property and process parameters. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first attempt that a PWD is being formulated theoretically. Such a concept can be advantageous in deriving design solutions and determining optimal process parameters for tube hydroforming processes.     

板液力成形技术及其应用

针对板液力成形原理、特点及其最新技术进行了讨探.从不同的工艺方法入手,介绍了无模液力柔性成形技术、温介质液力成形技术、成对液力成形技术等几种先进的成形工艺,并对其中的关键技术问题进行了分析.该技术在汽车行业的应用可有效地控制变截面板的成形过程,为大幅度降低车身重量、减少能耗,提供了有力的技术支持.     

Bursting failure prediction in tube hydroforming processes by using rigid–plastic FEM combined with ductile fracture criterion

The most common failure in tube hydroforming is the bursting failure due to excessive thinning of large deformation. To evaluate the forming limit of hydroforming processes, the Oyane's ductile fracture integral I was introduced and calculated from the histories of stress and strain according to every element by using the rigid–plastic finite element method. The region of fracture initiation and the forming limit for three hydroforming processes, such as a tee extrusion, an automobile rear axle housing, and a lower arm under different forming conditions are predicted in this study. Also it is shown that the material parameters used in the ductile failure can be obtained from the experimental forming limit diagram. From the results, the prediction of the bursting failure and the plastic deformation for the three hydroforming examples demonstrates to be reasonable so that this approach can be extended to a wide range of practical tube hydroforming processes.     

The effect of upper sheet on wrinkling and thickness distribution of formed sheet part using double-layer sheet hydroforming

In the hydroforming of curved sheet parts with a small thickness-diameter ratio, qualified parts are difficult to be manufactured when using the traditional hydroforming process. To solve this problem, double-layer sheet hydroforming was proposed and the wrinkle-free sheet parts were obtained in the authors’ previous study, but the inhibition mechanism of forming defects is far from perfection. Therefore, in this paper, the inhibition mechanism of forming defects is investigated by the combination of FE simulations and technological experiments. Different from the previous research, 2198 Al-Li alloy sheet was selected as the lower sheet. Other conditions such as heat treatment status and thickness are the same as before. The principle of wrinkle elimination can be concluded into the following two aspects. On the one hand, the upper sheet cannot be wrinkled during hydroforming, On the other hand, the surface blank holder pressure is applied in the suspending area. In addition, the beneficial friction between this two sheets changes the radial stress state of the lower sheet and makes the radial strain at some specific area (punch contact area and die corner area) decreased. In conclusion, qualified sheet parts can be manufactured by double-layer sheet hydroforming.     

Simulation of dissimilar tailor-welded tubular hydroforming processes using EAS-based solid finite elements

Developments in the numerical simulation of the hydroforming process of tubular metallic components, tailor-welded before forming, are presented. Both technologies, tailor-welded joining operations and hydroforming processes, are well known in industry, although most commonly separately used. Tailor-welded joining operations are usually encountered in plain sheets, subsequently formed by stamping. Tube hydroforming processing, on the other hand, is frequently associated with parts consisting of uniform thickness, material properties, and dimensions. The present analysis focuses on the influence of process parameters, such as the position of the weld-line and initial thickness values, in the innovative process of combining tailor-welded tubes (with distinct thickness values) and hydroforming. Particular attention is posed on the relation of imposed axial displacement vs. imposed hydraulic pressure into the tube, forming parameters that are not known a-priori in the manufacturing of a new part. Another point of practical interest is the numerical simulation of the weld-line movement, after forming is complete. The finite element method is directly employed in the numerical simulation by means of innovative solid elements suited for incompressibility applications, and included by the authors into the commercial program ABAQUS as user-elements. The obtained results can then lead to a better understanding, along with design tools, for the process of hydroforming of tailor-welded tubular parts, accounting for dissimilar thickness of the basic components.     

Optimum blank design in sheet metal forming by the deformation path iteration method

Optimum blank design methods have been introduced by many researchers to reduce development cost and time in the sheet metal-forming process. Direct inverse design method such as Ideal Forming (Chang and Richmond, Int J Mech Sci 1992; 34(7) and (8): 575–91 and 617–33) [7, 8] for optimum blank shape could play an important role to give a basic idea to designer at the initial die design stage of the sheet metal-forming process. However, it is difficult to predict an exact optimum blank without fracture and wrinkling using only the design code because of the insufficient accuracy. Therefore, the combination of a design code and an analysis code enables the accurate blank design. In this paper, a new blank design method has been suggested as an effective tool combining the ideal forming theory with a deformation path iteration method based on FE analysis. The method consists of two stages: the initial blank design stage and the optimization stage of blank design. The first stage generated a trial blank from the ideal forming theory. Then, an optimum blank of the target shape is obtained with the aid of the deformation path iteration method which has been newly proposed to minimize the shape errors at the optimization stage. In order to verify the proposed method, a square cup example was investigated.     

采用可移动凹模的板材液压成形技术

提出一种改进的板材液压成形新工艺,即采用可移动凹模,实现拉深与胀形的复合液压成形。在整个变形过程中,板材初始变形部分始终与可移动凹模接触,从而抑制已变形区进一步变形,使变形更加均匀,实现变形的顺序控制,板材成形极限得到提高。从试验和数值模拟两方面对可移动凹模板材液压成形技术进行了研究,分析各种工艺参数,如摩擦因数等对板材成形性的影响,并且分析了可移动凹模对板材成形极限的影响。     

Evaluating the flow stress of aerospace alloys for tube hydroforming process by free expansion testing

In order to obtain accurate tube hydroforming (THF) simulation results, one of the important inputs in the finite element model (FEM) of the process is the mechanical response of the material during THF. Generally, the mechanical response is defined by the stress–strain behavior that can be determined from tensile testing of the specimens extracted either from the sheet used for roll forming of the tubes or directly from the tubes. More recently, free expansion testing has been used to characterize the mechanical response of the material for hydroforming applications. The free expansion test can emulate process conditions similar to those found during THF, and as such, can be used to obtain reliable and accurate information on the mechanical response/properties of the tubular material. The aim of this research is to present an approach for evaluating the stress–strain behavior of different materials using a 3D deformation measurement system in conjunction with an analytical model. Here, to characterize the mechanical response of the materials, free expansion and tensile testing were used for austenitic stainless steel types 321 (SS 321) and 304L (SS 304L), INCONEL® alloy 718 (IN 718), and aluminum alloy 6061 in the annealed “0” temper condition (AA 6061-0). The mechanical response of each material, measured through free expansion testing of tubular forms, was compared to the respective stress–strain behavior determined from the uniaxial tensile test using ASTM E8 geometry specimens extracted from the tubes. For each material studied in this work, the two flow stress behaviors were distinct, indicating that the test method can have a noticeable effect on the mechanical response. Finite element analysis (FEA) of the free expansion of each material was also utilized to simulate the THF process with the flow stress curves obtained experimentally; the predicted expansion and burst pressure results were close to the experimental data indicating that the approach developed and described in this work has merit for characterizing the mechanical response of aerospace alloys for hydroforming applications.     

A prediction of bursting failure in tube hydroforming process based on plastic instability

Based on plastic instability, an analytical prediction of bursting failure on tube hydroforming processes under combined internal pressure and independent axial feeding is carried out. Bursting is an irrecoverable phenomenon due to local instability under excessive tensile stresses. In order to predict the bursting failure, three different classical necking criteria – diffuse necking criteria for a sheet, and a tube, and a local necking criterion for a sheet – are introduced. The incremental theory of plasticity for an anisotropic material is adopted and the hydroforming limit, as well as a diagram of bursting failure with respect to axial feeding and hydraulic pressure are presented. In addition, the influences of material properties such as anisotropy parameter, strain hardening exponent and strength coefficient on plastic instability and bursting pressure are investigated. As a result of the above approach, the hydroforming limit with respect to bursting failure is verified with experimental results.     

Numerical simulations on reducing the unloading springback with multi-step multi-point forming technology

Multi-point forming (MPF) is an innovative flexible manufacturing technology for three-dimensional sheet metal forming. It replaces the conventional solid dies with a set of height-adjustable discrete punches, called the “punch group”. A set of punches can construct various three-dimensional curved surfaces freely and conveniently, through adjusting the relative position of each punch. MPF technology not only saves a significant amount of money and time in the design, manufacture, and adjusting of the dies but it can also be applied to change the deformation path and to improve the forming quality. Unloading springback is an inevitable phenomenon in sheet metal forming using MPF. To control and reduce springback, numerical simulations for the MPF process and the unloading springback are carried out using the explicit-implicit coupled finite element method. Subsequently, influencing factors such as thickness, deformation amount, and material properties of MPF springback are researched to investigate the MPF springback tendency. Next, the multi-step MPF technology is introduced to reduce MPF springback. Based on numerical simulation analysis, it is obviously validated that the unloading springback is decreased when the multi-step MPF method is applied. Finally, it is verified that the equidifferent deformation path and small deformation amount of each forming step can improve the workpiece stress state and minimize the unloading springback effectively by an evaluation result of the deformation path effect on the multi-step MPF.