Pressurization System in Low Pressure Tube Hydroforming

Advanced high strength steels are the group of material with high strength and good formability, because high strength lesser gauge thickness can be used without compromising the function of component. In terms of economic forming process, hydroforming is the manufacturing option which uses a fluid medium to form a component by using high internal pressure. This process gained steep interest in the automotive and aerospace industries because of its many advantages such as part consolidation, good quality of the formed part etc. The main advantage is that the uniform pressure can be transferred to whole projected part at the same time. Low pressure tube hydroforming considered an inexpensive option for forming these advanced high strength steel. This paper investigates the pressurization system used during the low pressure tube hydroforming cycle. It is observed that the usage of ramp pressure cycle during forming the part from low pressure tube hydroforming results in lesser die holding force. Also, the stress, strain and thickness distribution of the part during low pressure tube hydroforming are critically analysed.

Optimization approach hydroforming car beam billets based grey system theory

Perfect combination of structural size parameters of the hydroforming billets is essential to obtain even wall thicknesses of the car beam. Finite element （ FE ） analysis on hydroforming car beam was carried out, and the results were optimized according to multiple quality objectives by the grey system theory. With bending angle, bending radius and hight difference along the axis direction as variables, orthogonal FE analyses were conducted and the minimum and maximum wall thicknes ses of the billets with different sizes were obtained. Taking the minimum and maximum wall thick nesses as two references, the correlation coefficient between the data for reference and those for comparison by the grey system theory reduced multi objectives to a single quality objective, and the average correlation level of every billet facilitated the optimization of size parameters for hydroform ing car beam. The trial production showed that the optimization approach satisfied the need of hy droforming car beams.

Optimization for Hydroforming Loading Paths of Parallel Multi-branch Tubes Based on Grey System Theory

According to characteristic of hydroforming of parallel multi-branch tubes,multi-objective problems were transformed to single objective problem of relational grade comparison by grey system theory.Two different objectives were selected,according to the principle that process parameters were optimal which of grey relational grade were maximum,the optimal loading parameters under different objective condition were obtained,and loading paths were optimized.The results indicated that parallel multi-branch tubes hydroformed under loading paths optimized by grey system theory could meet with the requirement that objective was optimal.And the optimal loading paths under different objectives were different,and the appropriate objective should be selected according to forming characteristic.

Numerical Simulation and Experiments of Hydroforming of Rectangular-section Tubular Component

In order to reduce high calibration pressure in hydroforming of components with too small radii, a method wasproposed to manufacture automotive hollow components with rectangular shape by relatively lower pressure. Theprocess is simulated and analyzed. It is thought that the friction force between the die surface and tube is a mainreason that high pressure is needed to form small radii. Using the method proposed in this paper, a petal-like sectionshape is first preformed so that the central zones of the four sides of the preform section do not contact with the diesides, thus the tube metal is easy to flow into the transition radii area in calibration stage. Moreover, a positive forcealong the sides is produced by the internal pressure, which is beneficial to overcome the friction force and push thematerial into the radii. Therefore, the pressure for forming the transition radii is greatly reduced and the componentswith small radii can be formed with relatively lower pressure. For the experimental case conducted in this paper, theforming pressure is reduced by about 28.6% than the estimated forming pressure.

MULTIPOINT BLANK HOLDER FORCE CONTROL IN HYDROFORMING OF FUEL TANK

The study of multipoint blank holder force（BHF） control is carried out for hydroforming a complicated shape motorcycle fuel tank. By finite element method （FEM） simulation, the configuration of multipoint blank holder cylinders and the setting of local BHF are optimized, and the influences of the multipoint BHF on the hydromechanical deep drawing and conventional hydroforming processes are studied. The desired fluid pressure and whole BHF are predicted for hydromechanical deep drawing process. Finally, simulation results are testified by forming experiment, and they are in agreement very well.

Influence of Axial Feeding on Hydroforming of Aluminum Alloy Tubular Part with Rectangular Section

The hydroforming experiment of aluminum tubular part with rectangular section was carried out to investigate influence of axial feeding on thickness distribution and calibration pressure of the corner.Thickness distribution and relation between corner radius and internal pressure were analyzed.The influence of lubricant was discussed.Microstructure and hardness of different region were observed.It is shown that thickness reduction in the transition region between the corner and center region is the biggest.Friction condition has influence both on the thickness distribution and calibration pressure of the corner.As the increase of the axial feeding,the calibration pressure is decreased.There is only little change for the microstructure,but the hardness is increased by 23.3% for the transition region.

Hydroforming of AZ61A tubular component with various cross sections

The effects of temperature on the mechanical properties and elongation of AZ61A tubular part were derived by uni-axial tension tests at various temperatures.Warm hydroforming of an AZ61A tubular part for passenger car was then numerically and experimentally investigated.The complete processes including bending,pre-forming and hydroforming were analyzed and discussed. Microstructure at the corner of the typical section was observed before and after the final hydroforming process.It is shown that the yielding strength,tensile strength and total elongation increase as temperature increases,while the elongation before necking decreases.The temperature range from 225℃to 250 ℃is more suitable for hydroforming of theAZ61A magnesium alloy tube with various cross sections.Pre-forming and hydroforming with high strain values are feasible at elevated temperature.Grain refinement is observed at the corner of the part after warm hydroforming.Thinning ratio analysis illustrates that non-uniform deformation at elevated temperature should be considered in process optimization to avoid severe local thinning.

Classification and Analysis of Tube Hydroforming Processes with Respect to Adaptive FEM Simulations

Tube hydroforming process is a relative new process f or production of structural parts of low weight and high rigidity. The successfu lness of the process depends largely on the a proper selection of loading path w hich is axial feeding distance as related to the applied internal pressure. Due to the complicated nature of plastic deformation, a optimum loading path which w ill guarantee good hydroformed parts free of winkle and fracture has often to be determined by finite element analysis. In order to save trials and errors, adap tive FEM simulation method has been developed. To effectively apply the adaptive simulation method, we have to know the applicability of the method. In this pap er, a classification of tube hydroforming (THF) processes based on sensitivity to loading parameters has been suggested. Characteristics of the classification have been analyzed in terms of failure mode, dominant loading parameters and th eir working windows. It was discussed that the so called pressure dominant THF p rocess is the most difficult process for both simulation in FEM analysis and pra ctical operation in real manufacturing situation. To effectively find out the op timum loading path for pressure dominant THF process, adaptive FEM simulation st rategies are mostly needed.

Analysis of the Internal Pressure in Tube Hydroforming and Its Experimental Investigation

The internal pressure of the process was studied theoretically and experimentally. The external load character and internal stress character of tube hydroforming were discussed first. Then, according to the characters, the function and classification of internal pressure were presented in general. Base on the stress analysis, its effect on the yield criterion and calculation formula were also researched and derived. To verify the correction of the theoretical analysis and derived formula, experiments with different internal pressures were carried out and the result was compared and discussed. It demonstrates that internal pressure plays an important role in tube hydroforming and theory and formula discussed and derived by this paper are feasible in practice.

Numerical simulation of hydroforming hollow crankshaft

An investigation was conducted on how to control loading path and its effect on thickness distribution after hydroforming crankshaft by using finite element simulation. Four different loading paths were utilized in simulating the forming process of hydroforming crankshaft and the results of different loading paths were presented. It shows that the hydroforming is dependent on the appropriate loading path. There exists the zone of hydroforming process window which can be confirmed by using simulation method. Wrinkles occur as the the internal pressure is less than 20MPa and bursting occurs as the the internal pressure is larger than 32MPa. Only when the internal pressure locates between 20MPa and 30MPa, can an eligible crankshaft component be manufactured.

Mechanism of weld-line movement within hydroforming of tailor-welded tube

To reveal the reason of weld-line movement in hydroforming of a tailor-welded tube (TWT) with dissimilar thickness,the stress ratio of axial stress to circumferential stress is derived by mechanical analysis and analyzed between the thicker and thinner tubes,as well as the property of the axial strain. During TWT hydroforming,tensile strain along axial direction happens on the thinner tube. On the contrary,compressive strain happens on the thicker tube. Experiments are conducted to varify the weld-line movement regularity and strain distribution. It indicates that the weld-line moves from the thinner part to the thicker during TWT hydroforming. The thinning ratio of the thinner tube is bigger than that of the thicker tube,especially in the zone near weldline. Stress ratio difference between the thicker tube and the thinner tube is the main reason of weld-line movement and non-uniform thinning ratio distribution.

HYDROFORMING OF BIMETALLIC LINED PIPE

A new hydroforming process for manufacturing corrosion-resistant-alloy(CRA)-lined pipe is proposed to overcome the disadvantages in existing technologies, and a new kindof hydraulic expansion device for bimetallic CRA-lined pipe has been researched and developed. Itsoperational principal and technical characteristic is also introduced. The stress and strain in theliner and outer pipe during the hydroforming process have been analyzed and the mechanism ofhydraulic expansion method is studied theoretically. The final forming pressure formula is suggestedand the theoretical analysis is verified by experimental investigation. The results indicate thatthe new technology is feasible and can be applied in industrial production.

Numerical Analysis of Hydroforming Deep Drawing of Conical Cup

Aided by the FE-code. analysis is carried to find the proper hydroforming deep-drawing condition for the perfect forming of a conical cup that can not be drawn successfully by conventional deep drawing method. Hydraulic counter pressure must be reasonably controlled, otherwise defects such as fracture and wrinkling can not be avoided. Therefore, the forming procedure is divided into three stages, and the counter pressure is adjusted intentionally to make the blank clamped onto the punch at a suitable time, then deformation at dangerous area is resisted by the effect of the counter pressure and the conical cup can be formed without defects.

State of the Art and Perspectives of Hydroforming of Tubes and Sheets

Hollow parts of high accuracy and high strength can be produced by forming methods using liquid media. Hydroforming of tubes has reached a high standard for small parts (volume some 1000 cm3) and is further developed for larger parts (volume some 10.000 cm3). Processes for hydraulic sheet metal forming are sometimes used for small parts from single sheets These pro-cesses are currently under intensive investigation, which is also true for the processing of double layered sheets Single sheets can be formed using membranes which separate the workpiece and the liquid. This results in interesting possibilities for a part and process integration in one step The forming performance of aluminum alloys can be enhanced by using a heated liquid media when forming without membranes.

Study on the Deformation Characteristics of the Sheet Hydroforming with a Movable Die

An improved sheet hydroforming process with a movable die is proposed and investigated by elastoplastic FEM. The effects of varied process parameters on the deformation of the sheet blanks were investigated. The effects of the movable die on the FLD were also analyzed. Using a movable die may increase the forming limit of the blank and improve the forming performance. Moreover, the drawing ratio of the blank may be increased by changing the process conditions such as blank holder force and the counterforce of the movable die on the blank.

Experimental and Numerical Research on Deformation Behavior of Thin-Walled and Large Expansion Ratio Guide Vane Liner in Hydroforming Process

Some tube hydroforming process tests and further research work were conducted to manufacture hollow guide vane liners( made of super alloy GH3030).The relative thickness( t0/ OD) of the tubular blank is approximately 0. 01,and the maximum expansion ratio( Dmax/ OD) of the needed part is more than 40%,and the length to diameter ratio of the expansion regionis more than 3. 0. It is very hard to manufacture this kind of ultra-thin-wall,curved axis and large expansion ratio tubular part without fracture and wrinkles. The success of the process is highly dependent on useful wrinkles with appropriate internal pressure and axial feeding. A simplified finite element model and a theoretical model are used for detecting the deformation behavior and forming laws. Further study results demonstrate that the useful wrinkles do not appear at the same time and middle-wrinkles need bigger axial force than tube-end-wrinkles and feeding-wrinkles. The wrinkles can transfer bigger axial force after its wave peak has come into contact with the die inner surface. The thickness thinning rate of the element at the peak is bigger than that at the trough. With the increase of the axial and hoop stress ratio,the critical buckling stress also increases. Microstructure examination results show that the grain size in the maximum thinning zone has been stretched and refined after the large deformation and annealing treatment.The process is feasible and the finished part is qualified.

Design of hydroforming process for an automobile subframe by FEM and experiment

Tube hydroforming technology has shown the attention of the automotive industry due to its advantages over conventional stamping and welding methods.In this study,the tube hydroforming process including tube bending,preforming and hydroforming process for an automobile subframe is analyzed and designed by the simulation software AutoForm of a finite element method (FEM) program.A parametric study is carried out to obtain the effect of the forming parameters such as initial tube size and loading path on the forming results.The simulation results are also compared with experiment results.The research indicates that the multiple forming operation of the tube hydroforming process can be simulated accurately by using the implicit code AutoForm,and the formability of tube hydroforming can be improved by designing suitable forming parameters.

On a New Algorithm for Numerical Simulation of Inner Hydroforming

Inner hydroforming is a new manufacturing technique. It presents a great importance for car manufacturing and other industries. To determine the forming process, numerical simulation will play a very important role. To overcome the difficulties of instability and non linearity, a new algorithm is proposed. The algorithm takes the advantages of dynamic transient solution and ensures its stability by a modified Runge Kutta scheme. Adaptive step size is applied with a practically inexpensive error estimation to achieve good efficiency. Numerical examples have shown an advantage in comparison with the currently used central difference algorithm.

Effect of Loading Paths on Hydroforming Tubular Square Components

The influence of loading path on tube hydroforming process is discussed in this paper with finiteelement simulation. Four different loading paths are utilized in simulating the forming process of square tubular component with hydroforming and the result of different loading path is presented. Among the result. the thickness distribution of bilinear loading path is the most uniform one. It shows that the increase of punch displacement in the stage of high pressure is beneficial to the forming of component for optimized Stress condition.

Fundamentals and Processes of Fluid Pressure Forming Technology for Complex Thin-Walled Components

A new generation of fluid pressure forming technology has been developed for the three typical structures of tubes,sheets,and shells,and hard-to-deform material components that are urgently needed for aerospace,aircraft,automobile,and high-speed train industries.in this paper,an over all review is introduced on the state of the art in fundamentals and processes for lower-pressure hydroforming of tubular components,double-sided pressure hydroforming of sheet components,die-less hydroforming of ellipsoidai shells,and dual hardening hot medium forming af hard-to-deform materiais Particular attention is paid to deformation behavior,stress state adjustment,defect prevention,and typical applications.In addition,future development directions of fluid pressure forming technology are discussed,including hyper lower-loading forming for ultra-large non-uniform components,precision for ming for intermetallic compound and high-entropy alloy components,intelligent process and equipment,and precise finite element simulation of inhomogeneous and strong anisotropic thin shells.