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.     

Tool path correction algorithm for single-point incremental forming of sheet metal

There exists some error between the manufactured part shape and the designed target shape due to springback of this part after forming. To reduce the error, an iterative algorithm of closed-loop control for correcting tool path of the single-point incremental forming, based on Fast Fourier and wavelet transforms, has been developed. Moreover, the data of the springback shapes, after unloading, of the sheet metal parts formed with the trial and corrected tool paths, used for iterative correction of tool path in the algorithm, are obtained with finite element model (FEM) simulation. Then, a truncated pyramid-shaped workpiece, whose average errors are +0.183/?0.175 mm, was made with the corrected tool path after three iterations solved by the above algorithm and simulation data. The results show that the tool path correction algorithm with Fourier and wavelet transforms is reasonable and the means with FEM simulation are effective. It can be taken as a new approach for single-point incremental forming of sheet metal and tool path design.     

考虑接触演变的板材回弹过程建模与优化

回弹是由工件在卸载后的弹性变形引起的。板料成形过程中为了控制成形件的最终形状,必须进行回弹设计优化。准确预测回弹对于板料成形过程的模具设计非常重要。降低回弹模拟结果与试验结果的偏差是设计过程中的难题。基于NUMISHEET’02的自由弯曲标准考题考虑板材与模具间的接触演变过程,建立了一个有限元模型来预测回弹。采用一个常规的优化方法对有限元分析中的材料和单元模型进行了分析,研究发现不同模型对回弹结果有较大影响。模拟结果与参考文献中的试验结果比较表明了模型的正确性和可行性。     

Torque control of friction stir welding for manufacturing and automation

Friction stir welding (FSW) is a solid-state welding process that utilizes a rotating tool to plastically deform and forge together the parent materials of a workpiece. The process involves plunging the rotating tool that consists of a shoulder and a pin into the workpiece and then traversing it along the intended weld seam. The welding process requires a large axial force to be maintained on the tool. Axial force control has been used in robotic FSW processes to compensate for the compliant nature of robots. Without force control, welding flaws would continuously emerge as the robot repositioned its linkages to traverse the tool along the intended weld seam. Insufficient plunge depth would result and cause the welding flaws as the robot’s linkages yielded from the resulting force in the welding environment. The research present in this paper investigates the use of torque instead of force to control the FSW process. To perform this research, a torque controller was implemented on a retrofitted Milwaukee Model K milling machine. The closed loop proportional, integral plus derivative control architecture was tuned using the Ziegler–Nichols method. Welding experiments were conducted by butt welding 0.25 in. (6.35 mm)?×?1.5 in. (38.1 mm)?×?8 in. (203.2 mm) samples of aluminum 6061 with a 0.25 in. (6.35 mm) threaded tool. The results indicate that controlling torque produces an acceptable weld process that adapts to the changing surface conditions of the workpiece. For this experiment, the torque was able to be controlled with standard deviation of 0.231 N-m. In addition, the torque controller was able to adjust the tool’s plunge depth in reaction to 1 mm step and ramp disturbances in the workpiece’s surface. It is shown that torque control is equivalent to weld power control and causes a uniform amount of energy per unit length to be deposited along the weld seam. It is concluded that the feedback signal of torque provides a better indicator of tool depth into the workpiece than axial force. Torque is more sensitive to tool depth than axial force. Thus, it is concluded that torque control is better suited for keeping a friction stir welding tool properly engaged with the workpiece for application to robotics, automation, and manufacturing.     

面向磁流体增强的骨架结构微成型设计及回弹特性研究

为提高磁流体密封液膜的刚度和抗压力性能,设计一种应用于磁流体密封的翻边Z型增强骨架,该骨架由软磁金属薄板微成型冲压而成。对软磁金属电工纯铁和无取向硅钢进行单向拉伸试验,得到2种材料的应力应变曲线。利用幂硬化准则对Z型骨架成型回弹特性进行理论分析,确定影响回弹的主要因素为材料参数、厚度、弯曲半径、开孔宽度等。利用有限元软件对成型回弹过程进行仿真,应用因素水平分析,以残余应变和最大回弹量为指标,分析板胚厚度、弯曲半径、开孔宽度对回弹的影响。仿真结果表明：在研究的范围内通过增大板胚厚度、减小弯曲半径、减小翅片宽度能有效降低骨架回弹;当厚度为0.3 mm,弯曲半径0.3 mm,翅片尺寸为2 mm×1 mm时骨架成型回弹量最小,运用硅钢材料比纯铁具有更小的回弹量。研究结果对软磁金属的微成型冲压及磁流体密封复合材料设计提供了参考。     

单轴柔性滚弯成形的有限元分析研究

利用弹性介质(聚氨酯橡胶)对钣金件进行单轴柔性滚弯成形是一种先进的钣金制造工艺。论文介绍了单轴柔性滚弯的工作原理,同时,将大变形弹塑性有限元引入单轴柔性滚弯成形领域,利用高级非线性有限元软件MSC/MARC,建立了单轴柔性滚弯挤压矩形管成形过程的三维有限元模型,成功模拟了板料滚弯成形及回弹的实际过程,对工件滚弯成形过程的主要影响因素进行了分析,获得了滚轴的压入量、橡胶硬度、滚轴直径与回弹后工件的曲率半径之间的关系曲线。     

Contact simulation for predicting surface topography in metal forming

A surface contact model that takes account of flattening, roughening and tool elastic microwedge effects on workpiece surface is developed. The model can be implemented in FEM codes to predict the final surface qualities of the products in metal forming. As an example, the proposed model has been combined with a membrane finite element code of sheet metal forming process to predict the contact area ratio, surface roughness and mean asperity spacing. Numerical results showed good agreement with the experiments.     

板式翅片滚压成型的数值模拟

针对板式翅片加工现状,提出一种板式翅片滚压成型新方法。阐述了该方法的成形原理;在三维软件中建立了滚压刀具和工件的有限元分析模型,采用Deform-3D有限元分析软件对板式翅片滚压成型过程进行了数值仿真,获得了理想的翅片形状;分析了成形过程中工件的应力状态及滚压刀具的受力情况,为板式翅片滚压成型方法的研究和应用提供了重要理论依据。     

Progressive process design of door lock striker with double bosses by the wall-thickening process

Local thinning inevitably takes place in sheet metal forming. This can be prevented by the application of a compression load during wall-thickening forming, through which a part can become even thicker than the initial sheet material thickness. Wall-thickening forming is advantageous for the manufacturing of cup-shaped products and products with bosses. This study suggests a progressive process design procedure for the wall-thickening forming of a door lock striker with double bosses. The proposed procedure involves first drawing, redrawing, and upsetting. The design of the progressive process is performed with the suggested design procedure using finite element analysis. To verify the result of this study, an experiment for manufacturing door lock striker with double bosses was performed by the progressive process. The results of the experiment for the measurement of the thickness at the bosses showed good agreement with those of the finite element analysis. From the experimental result, double bosses with a thickness distribution of 2.25–4 mm can be manufactured from sheet metal with an initial thickness of 2 mm using wall-thickening forming, which results in an increase in the strength at the bosses by about 27 %.     

基于有限元分析的二轴柔性滚弯过程影响因素的研究

利用弹性介质对钣金件进行二轴柔性滚弯成形是一种先进的钣金制造工艺,将弹性介质(聚氨酯橡胶)的冲压优势和传统滚弯原理结合,成为钣金成形领域的一个新的发展方向。本文利用有限元软件MARC建立二轴柔性滚弯过程的有限元分析模型,成功的模拟了板料滚弯成形及回弹的加工过程,对工件滚弯成形过程的主要影响因素进行了分析,给出了压入深度、柔性层厚度、刚性滚轴半径、材料性能与回弹后曲率半径的关系。分析结果表明,有限元模拟对滚弯过程的工艺参数选取有着一定的指导意义。     

Study on compound spinning technology of large thin-walled parts with ring inner ribs and curvilinear generatrix

Given their rapid development, aerospace and other high-tech industries are in urgent need of process technology for large complex thin-walled shells represented by large thin-walled parts with ring inner ribs and curvilinear generatrix. To make up for the deficiency in existing forming methods, this paper presents a compound spinning process that integrates counter-roller spinning, multi-neck spinning, and hot spinning. The finite element models for the counter-roller spinning and multi-neck spinning forming of such parts are established, and these models can simulate the influences of different spinning process parameters on workpiece maximum equivalent stress and maximum ovality. The 2A12 aluminum alloy tube blank is used in this paper. The process parameters for obtaining the counter-roller spinning for such parts are as follows: a feed ratio of 1.0 mm/r and a roller nose radius of 8 mm. The process parameters of multi-neck spinning are as follows: a feed ratio of 3.0 mm/r and a roller nose radius of 80 mm; and the forming temperature of hot spinning is 200–250 °C. Verification by a compound spinning test found that the numerical simulation results are consistent with the process test results. The process parameters can be used for guiding the actual production of large thin-walled parts with ring inner ribs and curvilinear generatrix.     

DEFORMATION ANALYSIS OF SHEET METAL SINGLE-POINT INCREMENTAL FORMING BY FINITE ELEMENT METHOD SIMULATION

Single-point incremental forming （SPIF） is an innovational sheet metal forming method without dedicated dies, which belongs to rapid prototyping technology. In generalizing the SPIF of sheet metal, the deformation analysis on forming process becomes an important and useful method for the planning of shell products, the choice of material, the design of the forming process and the planning of the forming tool. Using solid brick elements, the finite element method（FEM） model of truncated pyramid was established. Based on the theory of anisotropy and assumed strain formulation, the SPIF processes with different parameters were simulated. The resulted comparison between the simulations and the experiments shows that the FEM model is feasible and effective. Then, according to the simulated forming process, the deformation pattern of SPIF can be summarized as the combination of plane-stretching deformation and bending deformation. And the study about the process parameters＇ impact on deformation shows that the process parameter of interlayer spacing is a dominant factor on the deformation. Decreasing interlayer spacing, the strain of one step decreases and the formability of blank will be improved. With bigger interlayer spacing, the plastic deformation zone increases and the forming force will be bigger.     

Modelling of kinetic friction in V-bending of ultra-high-strength steel sheets

The Stribeck friction model was investigated in this study to predict springback of high-strength steel sheets. The coefficient of friction in Stribeck curve depends on sliding velocity and contact pressure. The plane-strain bending process is simulated in ABAQUS/Standard. The influence of forming speed, over-pressing and holding time on springback behaviour of sheets was studied numerically. By plotting the variation of bending angle with punch stroke, we found that the loading curve of finite element analysis showed similar results to the experiments. The unloading curves of FE analysis with friction models based on Stribeck curve and Coulomb law showed good agreement with experiments with error less than 1.5%. Forming speed of up to 50 mm/s does not have significant effect on springback. The effect of holding time on reducing springback is small, but over-press has large effect on reducing springback. The results showed that Stribeck model is suitable for sheet metal forming simulations, especially at higher forming speeds and pressures.     

Finite element simulation of plate or sheet metal forming processes using tetrahedral MINI-elements

In this paper, finite element prediction of sheet metal forming process is investigated using solid elements. A three-dimensional rigidviscoplastic finite element method with linear tetrahedral MINI-elements is employed. This technique has traditionally been used for bulk metal forming simulations. The solid element approach with remeshing capability is applied to simulating a plate metal forming process to reveal its possible problems. The similar approach is also applied to a typical sheet forming process. Both single- and double-layer finite element mesh systems are studied, with particular attention to their effect on the deformed shape of the workpiece and thickness variation of a cold sheet forming process. The procedure is applied to the well-known problem of the NUMISHEET93 international benchmark. The resulting predictions are compared with experimental observations found in the literature, and good agreement is noted.     

Springback prediction of high-strength sheet metal under air bending forming and tool design based on GA�CBPNN

Based on orthogonal test for air bending of high-strength steel sheets, 125 values of sheet thickness (t), tool gap (c), punch radius (r), ratio of yield strength to Young??s modulus (?? _y /E), and punch displacement (e) are used to model the springback for air bending of high-strength sheet metal using the genetic algorithm (GA) and back propagation neural network (BPNN) approach, where the positive model and reverse model of springback prediction are established, respectively, with GA and BPNN. Adopting the ??object-positive model?Creverse model?? learning method, air bending springback law is studied with positive model and punch radius is predicted by reverse model. Manifested by the experiment for air bending forming of a workpiece used as crane boom, the prediction method proposed yields satisfactory effect in sheet metal air bending forming and punch design.     

Knowledge-based substep deterministic optimization of large diameter thin-walled Al-alloy tube bending

Regarding increasing applications with mass quantities, diverse specifications, and close quality tolerance, the precision bending of large diameter thin-walled (LDTW) Al-alloy tube should be efficiently achieved. However, bending of LDTW Al-alloy tube is a highly tri-nonlinear process with possible multi-defect, needing strict coordination of various bending tools and processing parameters. Considering the coupling effects of various forming parameters on multiple defects, this study developed a knowledge-based substep methodology to solve the deterministic optimization of LDTW Al-alloy tube bending with multi-objective and multi-variable under multiple factor constraints. Considering narrow forming window under small bending radii (R _b?<?2D, R _b—bending radius, D—initial tube diameter), a finite element (FE)-based stepwise iterative search method is proposed to optimize key forming parameters of LDTW Al-alloy tube under small R _b, and the search direction is based on bending knowledge. While for large R _b bending with wide optional ranges of forming parameters, a hybrid optimization approach is used by combining virtual design of experiment, FE simulation, approximate response surface model, sequential quadratic programming algorithm, or genetic algorithm. Using orthogonal experimental method, three-dimensional (3D)-FE simulation, experiential data, and analytical formulae, knowledge on key forming parameters, coupling effects on multiple defects, effect significance, and design rules are obtained as well as initial values and design ranges. By several practical bending scenarios with D up to 100 mm, the proposed substep deterministic optimization methodology for LDTW Al-alloy tube bending is evaluated.     

On the prediction of side-wall wrinkling in sheet metal forming processes

Prediction and prevention of side-wall wrinkling are extremely important in the design of tooling and process parameters in sheet metal forming processes. The prediction methods can be broadly divided into two categories: an analytical approach and a numerical simulation using finite element method (FEM). In this paper, a modified energy approach utilizing energy equality and the effective dimensions of the region undergoing circumferential compression is proposed based on simplified flat or curved sheet models with approximate boundary conditions. The analytical model calculates the critical buckling stress as a function of material properties, geometry parameters and current in-plane stress ratio. Meanwhile, the sensitivities of various input parameters and integration methods of FEM models on the prediction of wrinkling phenomena are investigated. To validate our proposed method and to illustrate the sensitivity issue in the FEM simulation, comparisons with experimental results of the Yoshida buckling test, aluminum square cup forming and aluminum conical cup forming are presented. The results demonstrate excellent agreements between the proposed method and experiments. Our model provides a reliable and effective predictor for the onset of side-wall wrinkling in sheet metal forming processes.     

Deformation path and springback behavior in double-curved bending at high temperature

In this work, integrated double-curved bending-sizing-unloading is simulated for a Ti6Al4V titanium alloy sheet. Bending radii R30 mm × R30 mm and R30 mm × R15 mm are used in the bending tests at 700 °C and 750 °C, respectively. A holding time of 0–600 s is applied to explore the effect of sizing time on forming accuracy. Similar experimental tests are performed for comparison with the finite element analysis results. Results show that bending behavior varies remarkably with the bidirectional radii. As for equal bidirectional curvature, bending along each direction occurs simultaneously. Given that bidirectional radii are different, the sheet consecutively experiences single small-, single large-, and double-curved bending. The deformation path results in nonuniform plastic strain distribution. The springback amount increases from the center to the marginal middle zone. Sizing at 700 °C or 750 °C in 600 s or 180–600 s can remarkably reduce the springback amount, respectively. The springback prediction via finite element method is consistent with that of the experiment.

     

NUMERICAL SIMULATION FOR LASER BENDING OF SHEET METAL

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复杂形状的中厚板件拉深成形动力显示有限元分析

将厚向异性屈服函数、单元级双面接触算法的能够反映强烈弯曲效应的M ind lin曲壳单元模型引入动力显式中心差分格式的有限元算法,并组入自主开发的板成形CAE商品化软件KMAS系统中,建立对复杂形状的中厚板件拉深成形有限元模拟分析算法;在此基础上,以轿车摇臂厚板金件为例分析了材料厚向异性参数r值、凹模圆角以及压边力大小对此类成形件成形性的影响。通过数值模拟与实际拉深成形实验的对比,验证了本文方法的有效性;同时,结合实验研究了此类单元对工具弯曲圆角大小的适应性。