Papers by Keyword: Flexible Stretch Forming Machine

Abstract: Stretch forming machine (SFM) is most effective plastic forming equipment for large-size, thin and flat-deformation parts, which can decrease the springback phenomenon in sheet metal forming. In order to enhance the performance of SFM, a flexible stretch forming machine (FSFM) was developed by the authors successfully, which is made up of jaw clamping mechanisms, stretching mechanisms, universal push-pull mechanisms, and a carriage. Our experimental results indicated that the rate of materials utilization and close-fitting dies can be increased to 80 %. In addition, FSFM can reduce the complex of control-system and decrease the expense of machine sharply. FSFM have been used for double-curved sheet metal manufacturing successfully, such as the cab of high-speed train. This work has a strong value in enhance the stretch forming technology for double-curved sheet metal parts.

Abstract: In order to improve the performance of back drawing type of flexible multi-gripper stretch forming machine used for double-curvature metal sheet forming, back and down drawing type of flexible multi-gripper stretch forming machine was designed by finite element method (FEM), which has simple structure and cheap cost. The FE model of flexible multi-gripper stretch forming was established, and extensive numerical simulations of spherical parts for two kinds of flexible stretch forming machines were carried out. The variations of stress, strain, thickness and springback value of spherical parts for two kinds of drawing modes were analyzed. The numerical results show that the quality of spherical parts formed by the back and down drawing type of stretch forming machine is better than that by the back drawing type of stretch forming machine. This work provides a machine for developing the technology of stretch forming.