Research on forming precision of flexible rolling method for three-dimensional surface parts through simulation

Flexible rolling is a novel forming process for three-dimensional surface parts using a pair of bendable rolls. By controlling the distribution of the gap between the upper and lower forming rolls in the rolling process, the sheet metal is nonuniformly thinned in the thickness direction and the longitudinal elongation is different in the width direction of the sheet metal, which makes the sheet metal deform in rolling direction. With the rotation of the bendable rolls, the sheet metal is deformed consecutively and a three-dimensional surface part could be obtained. A small experimental device has been designed. Finite element analysis (FEA) model is established. Spherical surface and saddle surface are simulated, and their experimental results are presented. The major purpose of the present work is to analyze the forming precision of flexible rolling and the reasons for the shape errors through simulated and experimental results. The results demonstrate that the proposed process is a feasible and effective way of forming three-dimensional surface parts.