Effects of process variables on V-die bending process of steel sheet

This investigation aims to clarify the process conditions of the V-die bending operation of steel sheet. It provides a model which predicts the correct punch load for bending and the precise final shape of products after unloading, in relation to the tensile properties of the material and the geometry of tools. The process variables are punch radius (R_p), die radius (R_d), punch width (W_p), punch speed (V_p), friction coefficient (μ), strain hardening exponent (n) and normal anisotropy (R).This investigation is carried out by performing some experiments and by finite-element simulation. Experiments determine the punch for bending for various process variables, such as punch radius, punch speed and lubrication, were carried out. As a result it was found that punch load increases as punch radius and punch speed increase or lubrication decreases.An elasto-plastic incremental finite-element computer code based on an updated Lagrangian formulation was developed to simulate the V-die bending process of sheet metal under the plane-strain condition. Isotropic and normal anisotropic material behavior was considered including nonlinear work hardening. A modified Coulomb’s friction law was introduced to treat the alternation of sliding–sticking state of friction at the contact interface. Simulation results, such as the punch load of bending and the bend angle of the bent part after unloading, are compared with experimental data; satisfactory agreement was observed. The simulation clearly demonstrates that the code to simulate V-die bending process was efficient.Simulations were made to evaluate the effects of die radius, punch width, strain hardening exponent and normal anisotropy on punch load of bending. The punch load for bending is smaller for materials with a larger strain hardening exponent. The effect of punch width on punch load is limited. The punch load decreases in the early stage and increases in the final stage of the bending process as the die radius increases. The influences of all of the process variables on the final bend angle of the bent parts of sheet after unloading were also evaluated. The effects of process variables except die radius on the bend angle after unloading are also limited. The angle of spring-back is greater for tools with larger die radius.