Papers by Keyword: Flexible Forming

Abstract: Multi-gripper flexible stretch forming (MGFSF) is a recent technological innovation of sheet metal flexible forming process. Straight jaws in traditional stretch forming machine are replaced by a pair of opposed clamping mechanisms which can move relative to each other. Taking the case of forming a sheet metal into spherical surface by stretching the sheet in two opposite directions, the finite element models of MGFSF under various loading paths were established and the effects on stretch amount, strain and thickness of the simulated parts were analyzed comparatively. It is founded that compared to the horizontal-tilting (HT) and horizontal-vertical (HV) loading paths, the horizontal-tilting-vertical (HTV) loading path would result in more uniform stretch amount, strain and thickness distributions also with lower strain and thickness reduction, which improves the forming quality significantly. Finite element simulations also revealed that the material flow state in the transition zone can be improved effectively and the local strain concentration can be greatly suppressed with reasonable loading path, which would decrease the possibility of material failure.

Abstract: Surface flexible rolling method, using two integral working rolls as the forming tool, can achieve fast, flexible and continuous manufacturing of three-dimensional sheet metal parts. This paper introduces the basic principle of surface flexible rolling and discusses the numerical simulation results when the working rolls are bended as circular arcs. The stability indicates the forming effect to some extent and the flow type of the metal can be deduced from stability analysis. To integrate and analyze the simulation results by means of reverse engineering. The analysis results show that the forming process is stable and the effect of surface flexible rolling is fine. It also indicates that inhomogeneous deformation and accumulation occurs during the process. The numerical simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the surface flexible rolling is a feasible and effective way to form three-dimensional sheet metal parts.

Abstract: Growing requirements of small-batch, high-quality and customized products are motivating the development of innovative flexible polymer processing techniques. The paper demonstrates the possibility of employing the multi-point forming (MPF) technology to produce low-cost, small-batch and customized polycarbonate (PC sheet components. Experiments have been performed by means of an experimental setup designed for processing polymer sheet and the overall investigation is focused on the characterization and evaluation of the effects of processing parameters on forming quality. The results show that the forming defects can be eliminated under appropriate processing parameters and that the shape of formed part is in good accordance with the desired shape.

Abstract: The incremental procedure of sheet-bulk metal forming was classified into two different forming sequences, the discrete and the continuous. Based on these two groups, a movement matrix was developed, which captures required kinematic motions to manufacture a variety of functional components. With the objective of producing near-net-shape workpiece geometries within the Collaborative Research Centre TR73 – sheet-bulk metal forming, the required positioning accuracies of conventional metal forming machines exceed the current state of the art. Therefore, a suitable machine concept was developed and realized. This new machine represents a unique prototype for a flexible application of bulk forming operations to 2 – 3 mm sheets with five motion axes. During continuous forming, such as rolling, and also during simultaneous operations, increased lateral forces prevail. The machine was provided with a high stiffness. That enables a positioning accuracy which, also under load and at rest, correlates the high demands of the sheet-bulk metal forming within a range of ±0.01 mm.

Abstract: In order to reduce the elastic recovery of a sheet material and eliminate a great number of solid dies used in the forming process of various shapes, a flexible stretch forming process (FSFP) is considered in this study. Especially, the relationship among design variables, such as the punch size, objective radius of curvature, and elastic pad thickness is quantitatively evaluated to find out their respective influences on the shape errors of a formed sheet plate using the statistical method based on the FE simulation result planned by the three-way factorial design. The shape errors are divided into two types based on the material behavior according to the widthwise- and tensile- directions. The correlations of the shape errors and the design variables are estimated through the Pearson correlation analyses. The punch size has a strong positive linear correlation with the widthwise- and tensile- shape errors, and the correlation between the objective curvature radius and tensile-direction shape error is weak and negative. Although the effect of the elastic pad thickness is less than those of the other variables, it prevents effectively surface defects. Subsequently, the mathematical model is assumed to clarify their relationship. Two regression equations are estimated in terms of the design variables regarding the widthwise- and tensile- shape errors. The shape errors could be inferred by the assumed model in the particular combination of the design variables; then, the acceptable punch size and elastic pad thickness can be determined according to the objective curvature radius.

Abstract: Multi-roll stretch forming process is a new flexible manufacturing technique that the general idea of discretizing is put in use in the design of stretch forming machine. In the new process, the metal sheet can be more easily formed, and the flexibility can be much higher, which the traditional process cannot compare with. In this paper, in through extensive numerical simulations of the MRSF stretching process of toroidal saddle parts, A series of finite element simulations have done for the process of forming toroidal saddle parts using different lubricant and two kinds of rollers named damped rollers and ordinary rollers. The results show that the smaller the friction coefficient is, the easier the center of toroidal saddle part is stretched. Damped rollers can increase the stretching force and the ordinary rollers can increase the mobility of sheet metal. Arranging the damped rollers and ordinary rollers at a reasonable position can make the workpiece a more uniform stretching.

Abstract: Flexible forming of metal sheet using plasma arc is a new technique which forms parts by thermal stress without moulds and external force. To improve the surface quality of formed parts, a magnetic-driving plasma arc (MDPA) was applied in monitoring the distribution of heat flux. A mathematical model was developed to study the variations of temperature fields and deformation fields with MDPA and merely with plasma arc, which was validated by the forming experiments. The results indicated that the swing amplitude of MDPA increased linearly when the exciting current Ie < 1.2 A, and the distribution of heat flux with MDPA was more uniform than that merely with plasma arc in the heating zone, which avoided the possible partial melting and ablation of metal sheet. Moreover, the “U-shape” occurred with MDPA, and the material accumulation with MDPA was smaller than that merely with plasma arc on the surface of metal sheet.

Abstract: The software for the continuous flexible forming process was developed using Visual C++ platform. It can directly read the triangular mesh data of the CAD model. The three-dimensional model was reconstructed rapidly by using the core function of the OpenGL. Moreover, the mathematical model of adjusting the flexible rolls and the longitudinal curvature were established by this software. Using these mathematical descriptions the simulation of the continuous flexible forming process can be finished from the viewpoint of geometry.

Abstract: Plasma arc forming is a new technique of metal sheet forming without moulds and external forces. This paper developed a mathematical model to study the variations of temperature field during the forming process which was validated by experiments. The results indicated that: the temperature near to the inlet of metal sheet was lower than that in the vicinity of outlet. The peak temperature increased with the increasing of plasma arc power, but decreased with the increasing of scanning speed or plasma arc diameter. For specified metal sheet, the forming efficiency can be improved by properly increasing plasma arc power, decreasing plasma arc diameter or scanning speed under the condition that the material properties are not destructed.

Abstract: Multi-Roll Stretch Forming process is a new flexible process which is used in forming hyperbolic-degree surface pieces. A series of finite element simulations and experiments have done for the process of forming saddle-shaped parts using two kinds of clamps named Tooth-type clamp and Wave-type clamp. The results show that Wave-type clamp can control the stretching force at an appropriate value. When the stretching force exceeds a critical value, the sheet metal can flow to the opposite direction of Stretch Forming as to maintain that stretching force. The formed part using Wave-type clamp has a better quality than the parts formed using Tooth-type clamp.