A study on thick plate forming using flexible forming process and its application to a simply curved plate

In this study, design and fabrication of a flexible forming machine are carried out for the purpose of manufacturing a prototype of curved plate block for hull structure used in shipbuilding industry. Flexible forming dies which consist of numbers of punches in an array form for upper and lower sides are designed in view of thick plate forming. A punch has formation of male and female screws to adjust its length with regard to a given surface, and all punches are supported by each other in punch housing. Software for process configuration and punch control are developed to operate the novel flexible forming machine. The software are composed of the punch height calculation part which uses an offset surface scheme. Prior to manufacturing of a prototype, numerical simulations for a saddle-typed thick plate forming process including metal forming and spring-back analyses are carried out to predict the forming performance. Experiments are also carried out to validate and confirm the feasibility of flexible forming technology in view of practical application of thick plate forming process. Curvature radii observed in the simulation and experiment are investigated and compared. Consequently, development and practical application of flexible forming technology to the thick plate forming process are described from design of the forming machine to manufacturing of the prototype. It is confirmed that the flexible forming technology suggested in this study has enough feasibility in new application of thick plate forming in shipbuilding structures which has been formed through expensive and laborious conventional line heating.     

Optimization of spring-back in creep age forming process of 7075 Al-Alclad alloy using D-optimal design of experiment method

This paper attempts to model and predict the spring-back for creep age forming of a 7075 Al-Alclad alloy using statistical analyses based on a design of experiments method. Time and temperature were chosen as effective variables for determining spring-back in the creep age-forming process. The D-optimal design of experiments method facilitated statistical analyses and the extraction of a mathematical model for determining spring-back in the experimental variables domain. The spring-back of the specimens was calculated using a numerical procedure based on the pure bending theory. Analysis of the variances for spring-back showed that temperature was the most effective variable in the creep-age forming process. Additionally, a mathematical model and the response surface of the spring-back showed that to decrease spring-back, the significant variables should be in the upper level. The spring-back in the creep age-forming process was optimized for a 7075 Al-Alclad alloy in the optimum mechanical properties region.     

Study on multiple-step incremental air-bending forming of sheet metal with springback model and FEM simulation

A mathematical model of springback radius was developed with dimensional analysis and orthogonal test. With this model, the punch radius could be solved for forming high-precision semiellipse-shaped workpieces. With the punch radius and other geometrical parameters of a tool, a 2D ABAQUS finite-element model (FEM) was established. Then, the forming process of sheet metal multiple-step incremental air bending was simulated with the FEM. The result showed that average errors of the simulated workpiece were +0.68/?0.65 mm, and provided the process data consisting of sheet feed rate, punch displacement and springback angle in each step. A semiellipse-shaped workpiece, whose average errors are +0.68/?0.69 mm, was made with the simulation data. These results indicate that the punch design method is feasible with the mathematical model, and the means of FEM simulation is effective. It can be taken as a new approach for sheet metal multiple-step incremental air-bending forming and tool design.     

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.     

玻璃纤维/铝合金层板基本成形性试验研究

研究了GLARE(glass fiber reinforced aluminium laminates)层板的基本成形性,通过拉伸试验测得了4种层板的性能参数,将这些性能参数进行对比分析,拟合出GLARE纤维不同方向的机械性能函数,据此函数获得了纤维不同方向的GLARE层板性能;通过弯曲试验得到4种层板的最小弯曲半径和回弹角,并研究了温度对最小弯曲半径和回弹角的影响;分析了GLARE的疲劳性能。     

Elasto-plastic Finite-Element Analysis of the Axisymmetric Tube-Flaring Process with Conical Punch

The incremental updated Lagrangian formulation of an elasto-plastic finite-element computer code has been incorporated into the extend rmin technique in order to handle the contact boundary condition as applied to the analysis of the axisymmetric tube-flaring process with a conical punch. A modified Cou-lomb’s friction law was also adopted to calculate the influence of friction coefficients on the tube-flaring process. Effects of the size and the mechanical properties of tubes, lubricants and the punch semi-angle on the flaring load were studied. It was found that good lubrication and tubular materials with a high strain hardening coefficient are both effective in reducing the flaring load. An optimum punch semi-angle (punch load is lower) in flaring is determined by work on frictional and bending at the punch inlet. In addition, the effect of spring-back on the tube diameter or angle of final deformation, under different friction coefficients after unloading, was also explored.     

基于一步逆成形法弯曲成形回弹的快速模拟

首先阐述了弯曲成形回弹模拟的方法及其一步逆成形法的基本原理.通过采用一步逆成形法来获得弯曲成形后的应力分布,然后利用LS-DYNA隐式求解器对卸载回弹过程进行了模拟.最后将该方法分别应用到无约束圆柱弯曲成形和卡车纵梁弯曲成形的回弹模拟中,并将模拟结果与实验结果进行了比较,比较的结果表明,该方法可以有效地预示出弯曲成形的回弹量.     

Influence of process parameters in mechanical clinching with extensible dies

The influence of clinching tool design in joining metal sheets by the clinching process with extensible dies is investigated. The material flow during the clinching process was examined experimentally and numerically. The geometrical and mechanical characteristics of joints produced under different processing conditions, that is, forming loads, were used to calibrate and validate a 3D finite element model of the clinching process. Then, the model was utilized to evaluate the influence of clinching tool design parameters, namely the punch diameter, the punch corner radius, the fixed die depth, the fixed die diameter, and the die corner radius. The effects of design parameters on the cross section of a clinched joint, the required forming load and the joint strength were analysed and the appropriate processing window was determined. According to the achieved results, the main benefits and drawbacks of each configuration are discussed.     

Multi-objective optimization of process parameters for the helical gear precision forging by using Taguchi method

Precision forging of the helical gear is a complex metal forming process under coupled effects with multi-factors. The various process parameters such as deformation temperature, punch velocity and friction conditions affect the forming process differently, thus the optimization design of process parameters is necessary to obtain a good product. In this paper, an optimization method for the helical gear precision forging is proposed based on the finite element method (FEM) and Taguchi method with multi-objective design. The maximum forging force and the die-fill quality are considered as the optimal objectives. The optimal parameters combination is obtained through S/N analysis and the analysis of variance (ANOVA). It is shown that, for helical gears precision forging, the most significant parameters affecting the maximum forging force and the die-fill quality are deformation temperature and friction coefficient. The verified experimental result agrees with the predictive value well, which demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed optimization method.     

Development and application of reliability test platform for high-speed punch machine clutch brake system

In order to obtain high-speed punch clutch brake system dynamic characteristics and achieve reliability growth, a reliability test platform for high-speed punch machine clutch brake system was designed. Clutch brake working condition was analyzed and slipping power was determined in the process of coupling and braking. And on this basis, reliability test platform was designed. By adjusting motor rotating speed and rotational inertia of components, clutch brake working state was simulated. In the aspect of testing, clutching torque, loading torque and braking torque were collected in real time by using wireless torque sensors. And dynamic response time of clutch brake system was measured by using rotary encoder and virtual instruments. The experimental results show test platform with the validity and reliability. It can be used to find the weakness of clutch brake system and offer experimental support for reliability growth of high-speed punch.     

热矫形原理研究

热矫形是消除高弹性板金工件回弹畸变的工艺。本文论证了热矫形的定形原理,即材料软化与短时应力松弛综合效应。据此建立了弯曲回弹热矫形的理论规律。定量反映了材料性能、几何尺寸、温度和时间等主要因素对矫形过程的影响。理论值与实验结果吻合。可以将其用来估计热矫形工艺参数。此外还给出了Ti-6Al-4V和Ti-2Al-1.5Mn在规范成形及矫形温度下的热力学特性与回弹矫形实验曲线。     

汽车覆盖件拉延模具虚拟调试的研究

以汽车覆盖件拉延模具为研究对象,根据板料成形及回弹的数值算法,进行了基于Autoform软件的覆盖件拉延模具设计、成形性分析及回弹计算,并实现了对模具的参数化虚拟调试,使得模具在制造前就消除了成形缺陷,极大地提高了模具的整体制造水平。     

基于ANSYS的铝制错列锯齿翅片成形回弹研究

以铝制错列锯齿翅片为研究对象,利用ANSYS/LS-DYNA非线性动力有限元求解功能,模拟了翅片成形过程与卸载后回弹变形的全过程,得到了成形过程中任意时刻各处的应力、应变和卸载后板料的回弹结果。研究翅片成形过程中压边力、板料厚度、冲压速度、刀具齿形组合、刀具圆角半径等对回弹的影响。利用回弹规律进行模具补偿设计,以此优化专用翅片成形机及模具的结构参数和工艺参数,从根本上提高铝制错列锯齿翅片的制造精度,为翅片的结构优化设计提供了可靠的依据。     

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.     

数值模拟分析工艺参数与拉深件壁厚变化的关系

在分析板料拉深成形有限元理论的基础上建立数值模拟的分析模型,利用数值模拟技术系统地对拉深过程进行模拟。主要研究模具圆角半径、摩擦因数、压边力与模具间隙等工艺参数与拉深件壁厚最大变薄率的内在关系。     

一种高形状精度U形件的弯曲模优化设计

介绍了一种高形状精度U形件的弯曲成型方法。分析了U形零件的工艺特点及检验要求,对零件的形状精度进行了合理评估。在充分考虑卸载后的弹复变形后,对模具结构进行了优化设计。与改进前的弯曲模相比,改进后的凸模为带有凸筋的结构,在成型过程中集成了弯曲与镦挤的复合变形,使U形件原本以凹模为成型基准变成了以带筋凸模为成型基准,改进后模具结构更加简单,零件的形状精度得到保证,外观轮廓清晰,满足了质量要求。     

Quality control on crimping of large diameter welding pipe

Crimping is used in production of large diameter submerged-arc welding pipes. Many researches are focused on crimping in certain manufacturing mode of welding pipe. The application scopes of research achievements become limited due to lack of uniformity in theoretical analysis. In order to propose a crimping prediction method in order to control forming quality, the theory model of crimping based on elastic-plastic mechanics is established. The main technical parameters are determined by theoretical analysis, including length of crimping, base radius of punch, terminal angle of punch, base radius of die, terminal angle of die and horizontal distance between punch and die. In addition, a method used to evaluate the forming quality is presented, which investigates the bending angle after springback, forming force, straight edge length and equivalent radius of curvature. In order to investigate the effects of technical parameters on forming quality, a two-dimensional finite element model is established by finite element software ABAQUS. The finite element model is verified in that its shapes error is less than 5% by comparable experiments, which shows that their geometric precision meets demand. The crimping characteristics is obtained, such as the distribution of stress and strain and the changes of forming force, and the relation curves of technical parameters on forming quality are given by simulation analysis. The sensitivity analysis indicates that the effects of length of crimping, technical parameters of punch on forming quality are significant. In particular, the data from simulation analysis are regressed by response surface method (RSM) to establish prediction model. The feasible technical parameters are obtained from the prediction model. This method presented provides a new thought used to design technical parameters of crimping forming and makes a basis for improving crimping forming quality.     

Time factors and optimal process parameters for ultrasonic microchannel formation in thin sheet metals

Micro-ultrasonic sheet-metal forming using molten plastic as a flexible punch is a new microforming technology useful for manufacturing micro-stamped thin sheet metals. In this paper, we researched how time parameters influenced the forming replication ability of microchannel forming. Our experimental results show that the forming replication ability of the method was improved by extending the ultrasonic action duration time and maintaining pressure time. An appropriate ultrasonic action duration time was determined by assessing the melting time of the plastic powder used as a flexible punch; an appropriate maintaining pressure time was determined by assessing the coagulation time of the molten plastic punch. When the ultrasonic action duration time was 0.5 s and the maintaining pressure time was 1.5 s, the forming replication ability of the microchannel reached 97 %. With further increases in the time parameters, the forming replication ability stopped rising, and the forming method produced parts with defects at a lower forming efficiency. Through these experiments, we obtained a set of optimal process parameters for microchannel formation.     

Experimental and numerical analysis of hydrodynamic deep drawing assisted by radial pressure at elevated temperatures

Nowadays, due to the demand for lightweight construction and fuel consumption reduction, especially in automotive and aerospace industries, the use of aluminum alloys has drawn much attention. Nevertheless, poor formability at room temperature is the main drawback of using these alloys. To overcome the problem, the work material is formed at elevated temperatures. In the present paper, Hydrodynamic Deep Drawing assisted by Radial Pressure (HDDRP) process has been selected over other forming methods. The aim of the study is to investigate the applicability of this process in conjunction with warm forming. For this purpose, experimental and numerical attempts have been made on warm forming of flat-bottom cylindrical cups in isothermal condition. At first, a series of warm hydroforming experiments were performed to determine the effect of tool temperature and forming speed on the thickness distribution of the final part and on the required forming load. Then, a set of finite element analyses (FEA) were performed using ABAQUS explicit to extend the findings. The Response Surface Method (RSM) was then used to build the relationship between the input parameters such as temperature and forming speed, and output responses including minimum part thickness and maximum punch force. It is demonstrated that the required forming force was decreased with increase in punch speed and tool temperature. Additionally, minimum thickness of the part is increased with increasing temperature and decreasing punch speed. Studying the Limiting Drawing Ratio (LDR) revealed that elevating the forming temperature causes reduction in LDR, while rising the punch speed leads to a slight enhancement in it. For the evaluation of part dimensional changes after forming, springback analysis was done via studying the through-thickness hoop stress distribution. It is found that using warm isothermal HDDRP in high forming rate results in more uniform stress distribution and lower level of stress and so a better springback behavior.     

Numerical investigation of the influence of punch element in multi-point stretch forming process

Multi-point stretch forming (MPSF) technology is a flexible forming method, and it eliminates the need to the traditional fixed shaped-stretching die and, therefore, is a suitable method for forming small batch quantities of aircraft outer skin parts. Multi-point stretch die (MPSD) is composed of a punch element matrix, the size of punch elements and the radius of the hemispherical end of elements are the two important geometrical parameters of MPSD and they are major factors to influence the shape accuracy of MPSF parts. The smaller size of punch elements makes the punch element number of MPSD larger in the same area. MPSDs with different element numbers and different hemispherical end radii are used for stretch spherical and toroidal saddle-shaped parts. The dimples and the shape error of MPSF parts were analyzed, and the results show the influences of punch element number and element hemispherical end radius on forming results. MPSF tests show that the forming effect of MPSF is excellent.