Microstructure and forming mechanism of metals subjected to ultrasonic vibration plastic forming: A mini review

Compared with traditional plastic forming,ultrasonic vibration plastic forming has the advantages of reducing the forming force and improving the surface quality of the workpiece.This technology has a very broad application prospect in industrial manufactur-ing.Researchers have conducted extensive research on the ultrasonic vibration plastic forming of metals and laid a deep foundation for the development of this field.In this review,metals were classified according to their crystal structures.The effects of ultrasonic vibration on the microstructure of face-centered cubic,body-centered cubic,and hexagonal close-packed metals during plastic forming and the mech-anism underlying ultrasonic vibration forming were reviewed.The main challenges and future research direction of the ultrasonic vibra-tion plastic forming of metals were also discussed.

Advance and trend of friction study in plastic forming

Friction is a critical issue in plastic forming which influences forming force, metal flow, forming quality and service life of die. Since friction is a highly nonlinear physical phenomenon which is interactively affected by so many factors, great efforts have been made to study the friction mechanism and controlling. The research progress of friction issues in plastic forming was summarized and discussed from four aspects： testing, characterizing, modeling and optimization/controlling. Considering urgent demands for green, efficient and precise forming of high-performance, lightweight and complex components in high-tech industries such as aerospace and automotive, the trends and challenges of friction study in plastic forming were proposed.

Plastic forming simulations of cold isostatic pressing of selective laser sintered components

A combined method of selective laser sintering （SLS） and cold isostatic pressing （CIP） was applied to manufacturing metal parts rapidly. Finite element method was used to predict final dimensions and decrease cost. The simulations of CIP of selective laser sintered parts were carried out by Drucker-Prager-Cap constitutive model with ABAQUS computer program. The property of metal powder was measured by CIP experiments. The results show the rubber bag and the friction coefficient have little influence on results of simulations. The parts only have uniform shrinkage and have no obvious distortion in shape. The results of simulations show a good agreement with the experimental results and the calculated results, indicating that the Drucker-Prager-Cap model is an effective model to simulate CIP process. The simulations could give a useful direction to forming process of the CIP of selective laser sintered components. K

STUDY ON SYNCHRONIZER HUB PLASTIC FORMING

Metal flowing has been numerically simulated for synchronizer hub at different forming conditions. The influences of billet shape, frictional factor,deformation degree and radius of rounded corner on form- ing for been studied and the processing parameters have been optimized. On the basis, a new technol- ogy of refilling multiplicity forming has been put forward and workpiece that meets the requirement of synchronizer hub has been manufactured.

Novel AC Servo Rotating and Linear Composite Driving Device for Plastic Forming Equipment

The existing plastic forming equipment are mostly driven by traditional AC motors with long trans- mission chains, low efficiency, large size, low precision and poor dynamic response are the common disadvantages. In order to realize high performance forming processes, the driving device should be improved, especially for com- plicated processing motions. Based on electric servo direct drive technology, a novel AC servo rotating and linear composite driving device is proposed, which features implementing both spindle rotation and feed motion with- out transmission, so that compact structure and precise control can be achieved. Flux switching topology is employed in the rotating drive component for strong robustness, and fractional slot is employed in the linear direct drive component for large force capability. Then the mechanical structure for compositing rotation and linear motion is designed. A device prototype is manufactured, machining of each component and the whole assembly are presented respectively. Commercial servo amplifiers are utilized to construct the control system of the proposed device. To validate the effectiveness of the proposed composite driving device, experimental study on thedynamic test benches are conducted. The results indicate that the output torque can attain to 420 N-m and the dynamic tracking errors are less than about 0.3 rad in the rotating drive, the dynamic tracking errors are less than about 1.6 mm in the linear feed. The proposed research provides a method to construct high efficiency and accu- racy direct driving device in plastic forming equipment.

Model-element Analytic Method for Plastic Forming of Material

MEM(model element method) is proposed to resolve the present difficulties and problems in CAE about plastic forming of material.There are four advantages when MEM is integrated with FEM(finite element method) and UBM(upper boundary element method).First,it can make full use of their own advantages and overcome their own disadvantages;second,it can analyse material plastic fluid expediently;third,it can optimize design;finally,it can improve technological content and application effect of CAE software.Based on introducing the principle of MEM briefly,features and applications of MEM are pointed out.In conclusion,a new analysis method for plastic forming comes forth.

Creating Technology and Numerical Analysis of Warm Plastic Forming for Non-symmetrical Axostyle

A creating technology of the part forming was discussed and finite volume method(FVM)was used to simulate the forming process of the non-symmetrical axostyle spring core-bar.The results show that the no-even radial flange on the top part of the eccentric peachy surface can remarkably block the metal flow and the eccentric peachy can be filled contentedly.Increasing the radius of punch near the inner pocket,the head bulge also can be filled contentedly.The temperature distribution in the part and the forming force,which helps to decide the forming temperature and to select the equipment,was also analyzed.The comparison between the simulation and the experiment result shows that they are accordant.

Towards intelligent design optimization: Progress and challenge of design optimization theories and technologies for plastic forming

Plastic forming is one of enabling and fundamental technologies in advanced manufacturing chains. Design optimization is a critical way to improve the performance of the forming system, exploit the advantages of high productivity, high product quality, low production cost and short time to market and develop precise, accurate, green, and intelligent(smart) plastic forming technology. However, plastic forming is quite complicated, relating to multi-physics field coupling,multi-factor influence, multi-defect constraint, and triple nonlinear, etc., and the design optimization for plastic forming involves multi-objective, multi-parameter, multi-constraint, nonlinear,high-dimensionality, non-continuity, time-varying, and uncertainty, etc. Therefore, how to achieve accurate and efficient design optimization of products, equipment, tools/dies, and processing as well as materials characterization has always been the research frontier and focus in the field of engineering and manufacturing. In recent years, with the rapid development of computing science, data science and internet of things(Io T), the theories and technologies of design optimization have attracted more and more attention, and developed rapidly in forming process. Accordingly, this paper first introduced the framework of design optimization for plastic forming. Then, focusing on the key problems of design optimization, such as numerical model and optimization algorithm,this paper summarized the research progress on the development and application of the theories and technologies about design optimization in forming process, including deterministic and uncertain optimization. Moreover, the applicability of various modeling methods and optimization algorithms was elaborated in solving the design optimization problems of plastic forming. Finally, considering the development trends of forming technology, this paper discusses some challenges of design optimization that may need to be solved and faced in forming process.

Recent research and development on forming for large magnesium alloy components with high mechanical properties

The lightweight of high-end equipment relies on high mechanical properties magnesium(Mg) alloy structural components, because it is the best way to improve equipment service performance and reduce energy consumption. This article summarizes the current progress and characteristics of large-scale high-performance Mg alloy components by analyzing the strengthening-toughening mechanisms, characteristics of plastic forming, and the preparation of large high mechanical properties forging blanks. Due to the lack of breakthroughs in the key technologies for forming large-scale Mg alloy components, their uniformity of mechanical properties and consistency are poor, the forming accuracy of components is low, and the production cost is high, which limit their engineering application and restrict the lightweight level of high-end equipment. In view of the above problems, the forming trends and research directions of large-scale and high mechanical properties Mg alloy components are proposed in this paper. It can provide help for the breakthrough of the key technology of large-scale Mg alloy components with high mechanical properties and expand the application of Mg alloy in high-end products.

Laboratory of Precision Plastic Forming In NWPU

Aiming at the international frontiers of plastic forming fields, under the supports of over 50 important projects such as NSFC, 973, 863 and other National Key Projects, the laboratory focuses on four research topics, viz., local-loading based unequal deformation controlling and integrated precision forming for shape and performance, digitalized precision plastic forming controlling based on through-process, multi-scale modeling ＆ sinmlation and optimization, force-save near-net-shape plastic forming technology for large-scale,

Simulation of bulk metal forming processes using one-step finite element approach based on deformation theory of plasticity

The bulk metal forming processes were simulated by using a one-step finite element(FE)approach based on deformation theory of plasticity,which enables rapid prediction of final workpiece configurations and stress/strain distributions.This approach was implemented to minimize the approximated plastic potential energy derived from the total plastic work and the equivalent external work in static equilibrium,for incompressibly rigid-plastic materials,by FE calculation based on the extremum work principle.The one-step forward simulations of compression and rolling processes were presented as examples,and the results were compared with those obtained by classical incremental FE simulation to verify the feasibility and validity of the proposed method.

Three Dimension Rigid-plastic Finite Element Simulation for Two-Roll Cross-wedge Rolling Process

Cross-wedge rolling (CWR) is a metal process of ro ta ry forming. To produce a part, one cylindrical billet should be placed between t wo counterrotating and wedge-shape dies, which move tangentially relative each other. The billet suffers plastic deformation (essentially, localized compressio n) during its rotation between the rotating dies. Compared to other numerical si mulation methods, the finite element method (FEM) has advantages in solving gene ral problems with complex shapes of the formed parts. In cross-wedge rolling, t here are four stages in the workpiece deformation process, namely knifing, guidi ng, stretching and sizing stage. It is time-consuming and expensive to design t he CWR process by trial and error method. The application of numerical simul ation for the CWR process will help engineers to efficiently improve the process development. Tselikov, Hayama, Jain and Kobayashi, and Higashimo applied the sl ip-line theory in study of CWR process analysis. Zb.pater studied CWR process i ncluding upsetting by upper-bound method. The above numerical simulation were b ased on the two-dimensional plain-strain assumption ignored the metal flow in workpiece axial direction. Therefore, the complex three-dimensional stress and deformation involved in CWR processes were not presented. Compared to other nume rical simulation methods, the finite element method (FEM) has advantages in solv ing general problems with complex shapes of the formed parts. As yet, a few 3-D finite element simulation studies on CWR process have been reported in literatu res. In this paper, the process of cross wedge rolling (CWR) has been simulated and analyzed by 3D rigid-plastic finite element method. Considering the charact eristic of CWR, the static implicit FEM program is selected. The models proposed in this study uses the commercial code DEFORM 3D to simulate the CWR process. T his is an implicit Lagrangian finite element code, which includes many new enhan cements functions. A new method of utilizing multiple processors using the MPI s tandard has been implemented. Automatic switching between the two different defo rmation solvers (Sparse Solver and Conjugate Gradient Solver) has also been impl emented in order to increase the speed of simulations. In this paper, all stages in CWR process are simulated to be able to closely understand and analyze the a ctual CWR process. For simulating all forming stages in CWR process, the dynam ic adaptive remeshing technology for tetrahedral solid elements was applied. T he stress distributions in cross section of forming workpiece are analyzed to in terpret fracture or rarefaction in the center of workpiece. Authors also analyze d the time-torque curve and the laws of load changing.

Numerical study on forming complex fitting body on end of integrated stainless steel pipe without welds

It is necessary to use the integrated stainless steel pipe having two fitting bodies without welds while train travelling at high speed. In order to form this type of integrated stainless steel pipe, the method of preforming combined finish forming process is developed. The preforming process is characterized by flaring combined upsetting for left fitting body which is like a flange, and is characterized by tube axial compressive process under die constraint for right fitting body which is like a double-wall pipe. The finite element simulations of the processes are carried out by software package DEFORM, and the results indicate that: 1) left or right fitting body can be formed by a two-step forming process without folding and under-filling defects; 2) by using two-step forming, strain and stress in left fitting body are larger than those in right fitting body, and deformation in right fitting body is more homogenous than the deformation in left fitting body; 3) two or more preforming steps may be needed for left fitting body considering the distributions of strain and stress.

Analysis of Metal Forming in Two-Roll Cross Wedge Rolling Process Using Finite Element Method

A simulation model for two-roll cross wedge rolling （CWR） was presented by using three-dimensional rigid-plastic finite element method （FEM）. The whole forming process of CWR, including knifing zone, guiding zone, stretching zone, and sizing zone, was simulated using the model in which dynamic adaptive remeshing technology for tetrahedral solid elements was used to fix element distortion. Based on the simulation results, the distributions of metal flow field, strain field, and damage field, and the geometry of the workpiece＇s end were analyzed. These results could provide theoretical guidance for realizing net shaping and reasonable design of tools.

Developments of New Sheet Metal Forming Technology and Theory in China

Developments of new sheet metal forming technology and theory in China are reviewed in detail in this paper.Advances of crystal plasticity on the deformation mechanism of Mg alloy are firstly described, especially its applications on the prediction of sheet forming process. Then, a new macroscopic constitutive model is introduced, which possesses an enhanced description capacity of tension/compression anisotropy and anisotropic hardening. In order to take into account the twinning process of hexagonal close-packed material, a modified hierarchical multi-scale model is also established with adequate accuracy in a shorter computational time. The advanced forming limit of sheet metal, mainly about aluminum alloy, is also investigated. Besides the above theory developments, some new sheet metal forming technologies are reviewed simultaneously. The warm forming technology of Mg alloy is discussed. New processes to form sheet parts and to bend tubes are proposed by using hard granules. On the other hand, a new kind of ultra-high-strength steel based on typical22 Mn B5 by introducing more residual austenite and Cu-rich phase to increase the elongation and strength and its novel forming method that integrates hot stamping and quenching participation are proposed. Progresses in sheet hydroforming,press forging and electromagnetic forming of sheet metal parts are also summarized.

An update on electrostatic powder coating for pharmaceuticals

Derived from dry powder coating of metals, electrostatic powder coating for pharmaceuticals is a technology for coating drug solid dosage forms. In this technology, coating powders, containing coating polymers, pigments, and other excipients, are directly sprayed onto the surface of the solid dosage forms through an electrostatic gun without using any organic solvent or water. The deposited coating powders are further cured to form a coating film. Electrostatic powder coating technology has many advantages compared to other pharmaceutical coating methods. It can eliminate the limitations caused by the organic solvent in solvent coating such as environmental issues and health problems. And electrostatic powder coating technology also surpasses aqueous coating due to its shorter processing time and less energy consumption, leading to a lower overall cost. Furthermore, the utilization of electrical attraction can promote the movement of coating powders towards the substrate, leading to an enhanced coating powder adhesion and coating efficiency, which make it more promising compared to other dry coating technologies. The objective of this review is to summarize the coating principles, apparatus, and formulations of different electrostatic powder coating technologies, giving their advantages and limitations and also analyzing the future application in the industry for each technology