Introduction of laminated supporting tools in water jet incremental sheet metal forming

This contribution presents the introduction of laminated supporting tools in water jet incremental sheet metal forming (WJISMF) process. In WJISMF the main tool is a high-velocity water jet (WJ) instead of a rigid tool. The influence of the main tool trajectory on the forming outcome in WJISMF is observed and optimized in order to reduce the forming time and improve the product quality. Laminated tools are fabricated with abrasive water jet (AWJ) machining from aluminium plates of different thicknesses. The parts formed in this investigation are measured with a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) and results are compared by means of forming time, parts symmetry and achieved geometry, which is defined with the supporting tool.     

Sheet metal dieless forming and its tool path generation based on STL files

This paper introduces a new sheet metal dieless forming technology. This technology adopts the principle of “layered manufacture” in rapid prototyping technology; it can form sheet metal parts without dies. A new method of tool-path generation based on STL file for sheet metal dieless forming is proposed.     

Effects of three parameters on forming force of the single point incremental forming process

This research has examined the effects of three parameter groups on the forming force of single point incremental forming (SPIF) process. The parameters under study include the material types (sheet aluminum, brass and copper), the forming angles (30°, 40° and 50°), and the tool revolution speeds (200, 400 and 600 rpm). The metal forming was carried out using a spherical edge tool which was pressed onto the metal surface to form work pieces of truncated pyramid shape. In the experiment, the forming forces were measured and analyzed to determine an optimal parameter combination, with regard to the material type, forming angle and revolution speed, for the SPIF process. The experimental results showed that all three parameter groups exerted varying influences over the forming force of the SPIF process. The findings indicated that the sheet brass exhibited the highest force value and that the smaller forming angle contributed to the greater forming force. In addition, the higher tool revolution speed resulted in the lower forming force.

     

Tool path correction algorithm for single-point incremental forming of sheet metal

There exists some error between the manufactured part shape and the designed target shape due to springback of this part after forming. To reduce the error, an iterative algorithm of closed-loop control for correcting tool path of the single-point incremental forming, based on Fast Fourier and wavelet transforms, has been developed. Moreover, the data of the springback shapes, after unloading, of the sheet metal parts formed with the trial and corrected tool paths, used for iterative correction of tool path in the algorithm, are obtained with finite element model (FEM) simulation. Then, a truncated pyramid-shaped workpiece, whose average errors are +0.183/?0.175 mm, was made with the corrected tool path after three iterations solved by the above algorithm and simulation data. The results show that the tool path correction algorithm with Fourier and wavelet transforms is reasonable and the means with FEM simulation are effective. It can be taken as a new approach for single-point incremental forming of sheet metal and tool path design.     

基于ANSYS Workbench的橡皮囊成形过程有限元建模功能模块开发

橡皮囊成形是航空企业中钣金件成形的主要方法之一,经常需要采用有限元软件进行成形过程分析,其中传统有限元建模不仅对技术人员操作水平要求高,而且建模效率低。针对橡皮囊成形有限元建模过程进行了分析,总结归纳出可以自动实现建模的部分,包括几何建模、材料定义和网格划分等,基于ANSYS Workbench软件的DM模块以及DS模块进行二次开发,建立专用的橡皮囊成形分析模块,实现橡皮囊成形有限元模型的快速构建,操作界面友好。应用所开发的模块对某钣金件橡皮囊成形过程进行有限元建模,并与传统有限元建模方法进行对比分析,结果表明,采用所开发的模块建模分析与传统有限元建模方法的模拟结果吻合较好,证明了所开发模块的有效性。     

板料数控渐进成形变形区厚度变化规律的研究

板料数控渐进成形工艺是一种柔性的成形工艺,这种工艺非常适合于加工小批量、多品种和复杂的板料产品。通过数控机床进行圆锥台及直壁筒形件数控渐进成形,对成形零件变形区厚度进行测量,并对所得数据进行分析。试验结果表明,数控渐进成形中材料厚度变化遵循正弦定律。相同厚度的板料,材料不同,成形极限厚度不同。成形极限厚度不仅与材料有关,而且与板料初始厚度有关,即板料初始厚度越大,允许的变形区厚度减薄越大。对于必须采用多道次成形方法的直壁筒形件成形,工具路径不同,变形区厚度变化也不同。采用平行直线型工具路径,直壁部分厚度比较均匀。利用厚度变化规律指导翼子板成形并试验验证其正确性。厚度变化规律对于复杂零件的数控渐进成形具有一定的指导作用。     

TOOL PATH GENERATION BASED ON STL FILE FOR SHEET METAL DIELESS FORMING

Sheet metal dieless forming is a new metal forming technology. This technology adopts theprinciple of rapid prototyping technology, so it can form sheet metal parts without traditional die andmoulds. According to the charateristic of sheet metal dieless forming technology a new way of toolpath generation based on the STL file for sheet metal dieless forming is proposed.     

Formability analysis on the process of multi-point forming for titanium alloy retiary sheet

The multi-point forming (MPF) process of spherical surface parts of titanium alloy retiary sheet and titanium alloy sheet metal with different thickness and curvature radius was simulated by an explicit finite element software. Contradistinctive analysis between retiary sheet and sheet metal forming parts with different modes were done. The simulation results show that under the same forming conditions, titanium alloy retiary sheet is not easy to wrinkle and springback, whereas it is easy to form. The reason for differences in the formability of above-mentioned sheet metal is also analyzed. A non-wrinkling limited graph and a fracture critical graph for spherical surface parts of retiary metal sheet and metal sheet were obtained. Finally a forming test of titanium alloy cranial prosthesis was done in MPF press. Testing results indicate the customized 3D curved surface of prosthesis can be adequately shaped and the forming quality was guaranteed.     

Analysis of the tribological behaviour of polymer composite tool materials for sheet metal forming

Today's automotive industry shifts its focus on customised production, facing an increasing demand for medium and small batch production, where cost-effective manufacturability of sheet metal forming dies comes into the foreground. Filled polymers offer possibilities to fulfil such requirements in the ambit of prototype tools manufacturing or in small batch production of sheet metal components. This paper presents investigations dealing with tribological and tool design aspects of using polymeric materials for sheet metal forming purposes. Friction and wear behaviour of two polymer composites on sheet metal counterface materials have been investigated. A new testing method for wear evaluation of polymeric materials for sheet metal forming using a Strip Drawing Test facility is presented and discussed. A method to predict lifetime of polymeric stamping dies using the linear wear–distance relation W_l/s measured with the new testing method is also proposed. Significant improvements in friction and wear performance of polymer composites have been observed using sheet materials with structured surfaces. A theoretical model for abrasive friction and wear of polymer composites on sheet metal counterface material pairs has been developed, based on the results obtained by measurement of friction and wear.     

Numerical investigation of multi-point forming process for sheet metal: wrinkling, dimpling and springback

Multi-point forming (MPF) is a new flexible technique for manufacturing three-dimensional sheet metal parts. In this procedure, a pair of opposed matrices of punch elements substitute for the conventional fixed shape die sets, and the sheet metal can be formed rapidly between the matrices. Extensive numerical simulations of the processes for forming spherical and saddle-shaped parts were carried out by dynamic explicit finite element analysis. The contacting process between sheet metal and punch elements in MPF was investigated, and the variations of forming force with respect to the tool travel were analyzed. The wrinkling processes were simulated, and the MPF limit curves without wrinkles for spherical and saddle-shaped parts were obtained. Dimple is a particular defect in MPF, through the comparison of the thickness strains calculated by solid FE and shell FE, the finite elements appropriate for the numerical analysis of dimpling were detected, and the limit forming force without dimples was determined. Springback processes of MPF were simulated based on explicit-implicit algorithm. The springbacks and their distributions under different conditions were investigated.     

[成形质量的闭环与自适应控制技术]具有开放几何特征钣金件渐进成形的回弹控制与补偿

实现了具有开放几何特征钣金件的渐进成形。提出采用工艺参数优化、多道次渐进成形和轨迹补偿等方法提高钣金件的几何精度。设计了多道次渐进成形方法的中间构型,目的在于增大材料塑性变形并减小几何偏差。采用层切法轮廓轨迹形成两道次成形中第一道次的构型,为了防止第一道次成形时出现破裂,将非固定方向的成形角度设定为75°,第二道次将非固定方向的板料完全成形。采用基于几何补偿的两道次渐进成形方法可以将开放几何特征钣金件的几何偏差控制在0.5 mm左右。     

Micro press forming and assembling of micro parts in a progressive die

A micro press forming and in-process assembly technology were developed and applied to fabrication of metal parts and units. Technologies based on high-energy beams, such as ion and short pulse laser were developed for fabrication of features of dies in micro scale and finishing surface in nano scale. In addition, DLC coating on surface of the die was developed in order to improve wear-resistance and reduce friction. A micro gear with diameter of 0.2 mm was produced using sheet metals. Furthermore, a unit part with three components was fabricated in a precise progressive die using the micro press system. The results show that the micro metal forming could be a new technology for fabrication of micro devices, such as MEMS, bio-chips in low cost and with large quantities.     

Determining frustum depth of 304 stainless steel plates with various diameters and thicknesses by incremental forming

Nowadays incremental forming is more popular because of its flexibility and cost saving. However, no engineering data is available for manufacturers for forming simple shapes like a frustum by incremental forming, and either expensive experimental tests or finite element analysis (FEA) should be employed to determine the depth of a frustum considering: thickness, material, cone diameter, wall angle, feed rate, tool diameter, etc. In this study, finite element technique, confirmed by experimental study, was employed for developing applicable curves for determining the depth of frustums made from 304 stainless steel (SS304) sheet with various cone angles, thicknesses from 0.3 to 1 mm and major diameters from 50 to 200 mm using incremental forming. Using these curves, the frustum angle and its depth knowing its thickness and major diameter can be predicted. The effects of feed rate, vertical pitch and tool diameter on frustum depth and surface quality were also addressed in this study.     

连续多点成形中的成形载荷分析

研制了连续多点成形装置来完成三维曲面工件的高效、柔性加工,并对其成形载荷的变化趋势以及不同工艺参数对成形载荷的影响进行了研究.首先,介绍了连续多点成形原理;基于一定的假设条件,建立了成形载荷的理论公式;以双曲率元件为研究对象,建立有限元模型,分析了y方向载荷、z方向载荷以及合成载荷的变化情况.接着,分析了上辊压下量、板材厚度以及柔性辊曲率半径对成形载荷的影响.最后,设计出成形装置并进行实验.结果表明,y方向载荷最大值为6.693 kN,成形载荷的最大值为6.716 kN,成形载荷主要由y方向载荷决定;z方向载荷最大值为1.412 kN,为驱动工件运动的力;随上辊压下量的增加、板材厚度的增加以及柔性辊曲率半径的减小,y方向载荷均增加.成形载荷的变化情况与实际情况吻合,为成形装置的研制提供了指导作用.实验结果证明,连续多点成形是一种连续、高效、柔性的三维曲面成形方法.     

Analytical modeling and numerical simulation for three-roll bending forming of sheet metal

The three-roll bending forming of sheet metal is an important and flexible manufacturing process due to simple configuration. It is suitable for forming large sheet parts with complex, curved faces. Most researches on roll bending forming of large workpiece are mainly based on experiments and explain the process through macroscopic metal deformation. An analytical model and ABAQUS finite element model (FEM) are proposed in this paper for investigating the three-roll bending forming process. A reasonably accurate relationship between the downward inner roller displacement and the desired springback radius (unloaded curvature radius) of the bent plate is yielded by both analytical and finite element approaches, which all agree well with experiments. Then, the three-roll bending forming process of a semi-circle-shaped workpiece with 3,105 mm (length)?×?714 mm (width)?×?545 mm (height) is simulated with FEM established by the optimum tool and process parameters. Manifested by the experiment for three-roll bending forming of this workpiece, the numerical simulation method proposed yields satisfactory performance in tool and process parameters optimization and workpiece forming. It can be taken as a valuable mathematical tool used for three-roll bending forming of large area sheet metal.     

Study of multi-point forming for polycarbonate sheet

The multi-point forming (MPF) process of polycarbonate (PC) sheet is introduced briefly, geometrical relationship between objective surface and punch element is determined, and a simple calculation scheme of punch height is developed. Numerical simulations of spherical and saddle-shaped parts are carried out by dynamic explicit finite element analysis; the effects of forming temperature, forming pressure, punch matrix, and punch radius on the forming quality are investigated, and the suitable forming parameters are determined. Then, the MPF experiments of PC sheet for spherical and saddle-shaped parts based on the forming parameters are done, and the comparisons of shape error between experimental parts and object surfaces are carried out. Consequently, the PC products have good shape accuracy, which confirms that MPF used for forming PC sheet is feasible and the forming parameters obtained by numerical simulation are sensible.     

Electromagnetic blank restrainer in sheet metal forming processes

Electromagnetic blank restrainer (EMBR) is a new technology that was recently developed to control material movement in sheet metal forming processes. Magnetic attraction on the ferrous sheet metal is the intrinsic property of EMBR. Such magnetic force is quantified using Maxwell's stress tensor to assess the feasibility of EMBR in the sheet metal forming process. The 3D finite element analysis (FEA) of an electromagnetic system is conducted to determine the distribution of magnetic flux density on contacting surfaces of the sheet metal. The distribution is then used to estimate the magnetic force. Experiments have been conducted to measure the magnetic force and compare with results from the FEA. Biaxial-loading apparatus has been built to measure restraining forces on the sheet metal with blankholder, drawbead, and EMBR. All the restraining forces are put together in a chart to see where each method stands with respect to one another. In order to evaluate the quality of forming with each method, an experimental die has been built. The die forms a channel in a single stroke and provides a direct indication of how each restraining method controls blank movement in the die. The real advantage of EMBR lies in the effectiveness of force control and its flexible location in a sheet metal forming die. To prove this, a prototype has been built in a tryout die where house appliance panel is formed with blankholder and EMBR. EMBRs are locally installed in the die and actively controlled during the forming process. The part formed with EMBR shows a significant improvement in the forming quality. At the end of this paper, two immediate impacts that EMBR can bring to the sheet metal forming industry are also discussed.     

A comprehensive blank development method for forming sheet metal parts

For some shortcomings in the use of standard radial length development in the blank development for forming sheet metal parts, an improved radial length normal spreading approach considering outside normal direction is developed to resolve blank development in sheet metal forming. Moreover, a comprehensive spreading method, which combines radial length normal spreading and orthogonal length development method, is presented in this paper to avoid the overlapping problem which happens sometime in the spreading process related to severely curved sheet parts. To deal with holes and gaps which exist in some sheet metal parts, dummy elements are used to calculate the intercepting line’s length precisely. Finally, a multistep spreading and merging strategy is adopted to handle some special sheet metal parts with vertical free edges that should be jointed or not. Through practical applications, the effectiveness and the usefulness of this approach are evaluated, and the unfolded result is more reasonable; meanwhile, the obtained blank shape should be a better initial guess in the application of the so-called one-step quick analysis for sheet metal forming simulation.     

Effects of forming parameters on temperature in frictional stir incremental sheet forming

Frictional stir Incremental sheet forming (ISF) is a new technology used to fabricate parts of hard-to-form materials without using heating equipment. Thus far, limited information is known about the effects of main forming parameters, except spindle speed of the tool, on the temperature of formed sheet in friction-stir ISF. The effects of six forming parameters, namely, sheet thickness, tool vertical step, tool diameter, spindle speed, feed rate, and wall angle of the formed part, were identified using the design of experiment of orthogonal array, analysis of response tables and graphs, and analysis of variance. Results show that spindle speed, feed rate, sheet thickness, and tool vertical step significantly affect the temperature of the sheet. In addition, the temperature of the sheet is significantly increased by increasing sheet thickness, tool vertical step, and spindle speed but significantly decreased with increasing tool feed rate.

     

薄壁深抛物线形零件固体颗粒介质成形工艺

薄壁抛物线形壳体成形过程为拉深和胀形两种变形模式的复合,极易发生起皱和破裂。固体颗粒介质成形是采用固体颗粒代替刚性凸模或凹模(或弹性体、液体)对板料进行成形的工艺。板材在颗粒介质内压的作用下成形,可以有效防止抛物线形件拉深成形过程中侧壁的起皱;由于颗粒内压是非均匀分布的,故可以有效控制抛物线形件成形过程中的破裂,提高板材的成形极限。根据固体颗粒介质成形工艺的特点,提出了两次成形薄壁深壳体零件的工艺,建立了数值分析模型,通过数值模拟和试验对该成形过程和工艺参数进行了分析。结果表明,采用固体颗粒介质成形工艺过程简单、成形工件壁厚分布均匀、表面质量好、回弹小。