Frictional characteristics of sheet metals with superimposed ultrasonic vibrations

The forming performance of sheet metals in the deep-drawing process with ultrasonic vibrations can be improved by the surface effect between the sheet metal and the die.A sheet metal friction test with ultrasonic vibrations is performed to explore the cause of the surface effect.The frictional characteristics are investigated,and the corresponding friction expressions are established based on the contact mechanics and the elastic–plastic contact model for rough surfaces.Friction is caused by the elastic–plastic deformation of contacting asperities under normal loads.The actual contacting region between two surfaces increases with normal loads,whereas the normal distance decreases.The normal distance between the contacting surfaces is changed,asperities generate a tangential deformation with ultrasonic vibrations,and the friction coefficient is eventually altered.Ultrasonic vibrations are applied on a 40Cr steel punch at the frequency of 20 kHz and the amplitude of 4.2μm.In the friction tests,the punch is perpendicular to the surface of the magnesium alloy AZ31B sheet metals and is sliding with a relative velocity of 1 mm/s.The test results show that the friction coefficient is decreased by approximately 40%and the theoretical values are in accordance with the test values;Ultrasonic vibrations can clearly reduce wear and improve the surface quality of parts.

Upper bound analysis for hybrid sheet metals extrusion process through curved dies

The extrusion process of hybrid sheet metals through arbitrarily curved dies was analyzed by the method of upper bound. The material under deformation was divided into two deformation regions, bimetal and mono-metal regions, and the flow of the material in each region was assumed as plane strain state. The internal, shearing and frictional power terms were derived and they were used in the upper bound model. The extrusion forces for two types of die shapes, an optimum wedge shaped die and an optimum streamlined die shape for a hybrid sheet composed of copper as sleeve and aluminum as core were determined. The corresponding results for those two die shapes were also determined by using the finite element code, ABAQUS, and compared with the upper bound results. These comparisons show a good agreement.

PREDICTION OF PATH-DEPENDENT FAILURE IN ALUMINUM SHEET METALS UNDER FORMING OPERATIONS

An approximate macroscopic yield criterion for anisotropic porous sheet metals is adopted in a failure prediction methodology that can be used to investigate the failure of sheet metals under forming operations. This failure prediction methodology is developed based on the Marciniak-Kuczynski approach by assuming a slightly higher void volume fraction inside randomly oriented imperfecte analysis. Here, a nonproportional deformation history including relative rotation of principal stretch directions is identified in a selected critical element of an aluminum sheet from a FEM fender forming simulation. Based on the failure prediction methodology, the failure of the critical sheet element is investigated under the non-proportional deformation history. The results show that thiven non-proportional deformation history.

Non‑associated and Non‑quadratic Characteristics in Plastic Anisotropy of Automotive Lightweight Sheet Metals

Lightweight sheet metals are highly desirable for automotive applications due to their exceptional strength-to-density ratio.An accurate description of the pronounced plastic anisotropy exhibited by these materials in finite element analysis requires advanced plasticity models.In recent years,significant efforts have been devoted to developing plasticity models and numeri-cal analysis methods based on the non-associated flow rule(non-AFR).In this work,a newly proposed coupled quadratic and non-quadratic model under non-AFR is utilized to comprehensively investigate the non-associated and non-quadratic characteristics during the yielding of three lightweight sheet metals,i.e.,dual-phase steel DP980,TRIP-assisted steel QP980,and aluminum alloy AA5754-O.These materials are subjected to various proportional loading paths,including uniaxial tensile tests with a 15°increment,uniaxial compressive tests with a 45°increment,in-plane torsion tests,and biaxial tensile tests using laser-deposited arm-strengthened cruciform specimens.Results show that the non-AFR approach provides an effective means for accurately modeling the yield behavior,including yield stresses and the direction of plastic strain rates,simultaneously,utilizing two separate functions and a simple calibration procedure.The introduction of the non-quadratic plastic potential reduces the average errors in angle when predicting plastic strain directions by the quadratic plastic potential function.Specifically,for DP980,the average error is reduced from 3.1°to 0.9°,for QP980 it is reduced from 6.1°to 3.9°,and for AA5754-O it is reduced from 7.0°to 0.2°.This highlights the importance of considering the non-quadratic characteristic in plasticity modeling,especially for aluminum alloys such as AA5754-O.

Deformation Behaviors of Laser Forming of Ring Sheet Metals

Laser forming is a highly flexible sheet metal forming technique. In laser forming along curved irradiation paths, the heated zone is bigger and the effects of the processing parameters on the deformation are complex. The deformation behaviors of laser forming of ring sheet metals have been investigated from the thermal-mechanics analysis by the finite element (FE) simulation based on the proposed finite element method model. The effects of ring central angle and scanning path on deformation of ring sheet metal were investigated. The results are as follows: (1) in comparison with the laser bending along linear path, the marked third point has two peak temperatures during the laser forming process along curved path; (2) the forming process fluctutes continuously and the sheet edge is warped because the rigid-ends effect due to the restriction of sheet; (3) when the ring central angle increases, the displacement difference of the marked three points decreases and then increases, and the warped curvature of sheet edge decreases; (4) when the laser beam diameter increases, the displacement difference of the marked three points decreases and the warped curvature increases.

Flexible-die forming process with solid granule medium on sheet metal

Certain non-metallic granules （NMG） were selected as the research object. It was proposed to conduct the volume compression experiments as well as those on the NMG physical properties at high stress levels. Then, not only the volume compression ratio curve but also the extended Drucker-Prager linear model were obtained. In addition, through the friction strength tests, parameters of the Mohr-Coulomb model were gained, which proved in basic agreement with those of the extended Drucker-Prager linear model. Additionally, curves of the friction coefficients between the NMG and the sheet metal trader different pressures were also obtained. Based on the material performance experiments, numerical analysis in respect of flexible-die forming process with solid granule medium （SGM） was conducted. The die and device for experiments of solid granule medium forming （SGMF） on sheet metal were designed and manufactured. Typical parabolic parts were successfully trial-produced. The tests and simulation results show that the sheet formability is significantly improved for the extraordinary friction performance during interaction between the SGM and the sheet metal surface. The process control and die structure are simple, and the shaped work-pieces enjoy many advantages, such as satisfactory surface quality and favorable die fitability, which offers a brand-new method and means for processing and preparation of sheet metals.

Sheet Metal Forming Simulation and Its Application in Stamping Process of Automobile Panels

The paper starts with a brief overview to the necessity of sheet metal forming simulation and the complexity of automobile panel forming, then leads to finite element analysis (FEA) which is a powerful simulation tool for analyzing complex three-dimensional sheet metal forming problems. The theory and features of the dynamic explicit finite element methods are introduced and the available various commercial finite element method codes used for sheet metal forming simulation in the world are discussed,and the civil and international status quo of automobile panel simulation as well. The front door outer panel of one certain new automobile is regarded as one example that the dynamic explicit FEM code Dynaform is used for the simulation of the front door outer panel forming process. Process defects such as ruptures are predicted. The improving methods can be given according to the simulation results. Foreground of sheet metal forming simulation is outlined.

Establishment of size-dependant constitutive model of micro-sheet metal materials

The inherent mechanism of size effect in micro-sheet material behavior of plastic forming was explained by the surface layer model and theory of metal crystal plasticity. A size-dependant constitutive model based on the surface layer model was established by introducing the scale parameters and modifying the classical Hall-Petch equation. The influence of the geometric dimensions and the grain size on the flow behavior of the material was discussed using the new material constitutive model. The results show that, the flow stress decreases while the sheet metal thickness decreases when the grain size keeps constant, and the micro-sheet metal with a larger grain size is more easily to be influenced by the size effects. The material constitutive model established is validated by the stress-strain curve of the micro-sheet metal with different thicknesses derived from the tensile experiments. The rationality of the material model is verified by the fact that the calculation results are consistent with the experimental results.

GENERAL COMPUTER MODEL FOR SHEET METAL DEEP-DRAWING PROCESS

A new comprehensive computer model was developed for sheet metal deep-drawing process, based on the theory of plastic anisotropy and under consideration of the effects of bending, blank-holding force, strain-hardening, the variation of thickness and tooling geometry. The model could be used to simulate the deforming stages of deep-drawing process and get the continuous distributions of stress and strain from the radial drawing region of material over a die and the stretch-forming region of material over a punch. It is concluded that the total strain theory can be used as a substitute for the incremental strain theory to analyse the force and deformation in sheet metal deep-drawing process. In addition, the effect of bending was also obtained.

Customized Optimization for Vehicle Acoustic Statistical Energy Analysis

Statistical Energy Analysis(SEA) is one of the conventional tools for predicting vehicle high-frequency acoustic responses.This study proposes a new method that can provide customized optimization solutions to meet NVH targets based on the specific needs of different project teams during the initial project stages.This approach innovatively integrates dynamic optimization,Radial Basis Function(RBF),and Fuzzy Design Variables Genetic Algorithm(FDVGA) into the optimization process of Statistical Energy Analysis(SEA),and also takes vehicle sheet metal into account in the optimization of sound packages.In the implementation process,a correlation model is established through Python scripts to link material density with acoustic parameters,weight,and cost.By combining Optimus and VaOne software,an optimization design workflow is constructed and the optimization design process is successfully executed.Under various constraints related to acoustic performance,weight and cost,a globally optimal design is achieved.This technology has been effectively applied in the field of Battery Electric Vehicle(BEV).

Multi-Point Forming Technology for Sheet Metal

Multi-point forming (MPF) is an advanced manufacturing technology for three-dimensional sheet metal parts. In this paper, the MPF integrated system is described that can form a variety of part shapes without the need for solid dies, and given only geometry and material information about the desired part. The central component of this system is a pair of matrices of punches, and the desired discrete die surface is constructed by changing the positions of punches though the CAD and control system. The basic MPF process is introduced and the typical application examples show the applicability of the MPF technology. Wrinkle and dimple are the major forming defects in MPF process, numerical simulation is a feasible way to predict forming defects in MPF. In conventional stamping, the mode to form sheet metal with blankholder is an effective way to suppress wrinkling; the same is true in MPF. A MPF press with flexible blankholder was developed, and the forming results indicated the forming stability of this technique. Based on the flexibility of MPF, varying deformation path MPF and sectional MPF were explored that cannot be realized in conventional stamping. By controlling each punch in real-time, a sheet part can be manufactured along a specific forming path. When the path of deformation in MPF is designed properly, forming defects will be avoided completely and lager deformation is achieved. A work piece can be formed section by section though the sectional MPF, and this technique makes it possible to manufacture large size parts in a small MPF press. Some critical experiments were performed that confirmed the validity of two special MPF techniques.

A LOOP DRAWBEAD RESTRAINING FORCE MODEL IN SHEET METAL DEEP DRAWING PROCESS

In sheet metal forming, drawbeads are often used to control uneven material flow which may cause defects such as wrinkles, fracture, surface distortion and springback. Appropriate setting and adjusting the drawbead force is one of the most important pa- rameters in sheet metal forming process control. This paper derives the model of loop drawbead restraining force (DBRF) using plastic forming theory, and gives the min imum blankholding force. Experiments are carried out to verify the proposed DBRF model. The good agreement between the calculated values and experiments data justi- fies the proposed loop drawbead restraining force model.

SIX SIGMA OPTIMIZATION IN SHEET METAL FORMING BASED ON DUAL RESPONSE SURFACE MODEL

Iterations in optimization and numerical simulation for the sheet metal forming process may lead to extensive computation. In addition, uncertainties in materials or processing parameters may have great influence on the design quality. A six sigma optimization method is proposed, by combining the dual response surface method （DRSM） and six sigma philosophy, to save computation cost and improve reliability and robustness of parts. Using this method, statistical technology, including the design of experiment and analysis of variance, approximate model and six sigma philosophy are integrated together to achieve improved quality. Two sheet metal forming processes are provided as examples to illustrate the proposed method.

FAST ACCURATE PREDICTION OF BLANK SHAPE IN SHEET METAL FORMING

By using the Finite Element Inverse Approach based on the Hill quadratic anisotrop-ically yield criterion and the quadrilateral element, a fast analyzing software-FASTAMP for the sheet metal forming is developed. The blank shapes of three typical stampings are simulated and compared with numerical results given by the AUTOFORM software and experimental results, respectively. The comparison shows that the FASTAMP can predict blank shape and strain distribution of the stamping more precisely and quickly than those given by the traditional methods and the AUTOFORM.

Process of back pressure deep drawing with solid granule medium on sheet metal

The experimental die apparatus of the solid granules medium forming on sheet metal was designed and manufactured.Typical parts,such as conical,parabolic,cylindrical and square-box-shaped components,were successfully trial-produced as well.According to the analysis of the changing trends of the cross-section shape and the wall thickness during the process,it can be found that the shape of the free deformation zone of the sheet metal,which is the most critical thinning area,can be described as an approximately spherical cap.According to this forming feature,back pressure deep drawing technology with solid granules medium on sheet metal was proposed to restrain drastic thinning at the bottom of the part through the joint friction effect of solid granules medium,the back pressure tringle and the sheet metal.Therefore,the deep drawing limit of the sheet metal is significantly improved.In order to fabricate thin-walled rotary parts with great drawing ratio and complex cross-sections,a finite element model based on the material property test of the solid granules medium was established to optimize the scheme of the back pressure deep drawing.The effects on the forming performance of sheet metal from back pressure load and the approach of blank holding control were analyzed through this model.

Deep Learning in Sheet Metal Bending With a Novel Theory-Guided Deep Neural Network

Sheet metal forming technologies have been intensively studied for decades to meet the increasing demand for lightweight metal components.To surmount the springback occurring in sheet metal forming processes,numerous studies have been performed to develop compensation methods.However,for most existing methods,the development cycle is still considerably time-consumptive and demands high computational or capital cost.In this paper,a novel theory-guided regularization method for training of deep neural networks(DNNs),implanted in a learning system,is introduced to learn the intrinsic relationship between the workpiece shape after springback and the required process parameter,e.g.,loading stroke,in sheet metal bending processes.By directly bridging the workpiece shape to the process parameter,issues concerning springback in the process design would be circumvented.The novel regularization method utilizes the well-recognized theories in material mechanics,Swift’s law,by penalizing divergence from this law throughout the network training process.The regularization is implemented by a multi-task learning network architecture,with the learning of extra tasks regularized during training.The stress-strain curve describing the material properties and the prior knowledge used to guide learning are stored in the database and the knowledge base,respectively.One can obtain the predicted loading stroke for a new workpiece shape by importing the target geometry through the user interface.In this research,the neural models were found to outperform a traditional machine learning model,support vector regression model,in experiments with different amount of training data.Through a series of studies with varying conditions of training data structure and amount,workpiece material and applied bending processes,the theory-guided DNN has been shown to achieve superior generalization and learning consistency than the data-driven DNNs,especially when only scarce and scattered experiment data are available for training which is often the case in practice.The theory-guided DNN could also be applicable to other sheet metal forming processes.It provides an alternative method for compensating springback with significantly shorter development cycle and less capital cost and computational requirement than traditional compensation methods in sheet metal forming industry.

Sheet Metal Forming Optimization by Using Surrogate Modeling Techniques

Surrogate assisted optimization has been widely applied in sheet metal forming design due to its efficiency. Therefore, to improve the efficiency of design and reduce the product development cycle, it is important for scholars and engineers to have some insight into the performance of each surrogate assisted optimization method and make them more flexible practically. For this purpose, the state-of-the-art surrogate assisted optimizations are investigated. Furthermore, in view of the bottleneck and development of the surrogate assisted optimization and sheet metal forming design, some important issues on the surrogate assisted optimization in support of the sheet metal forming design are analyzed and discussed, involving the description of the sheet metal forming design, off-line and online sampling strategies, space mapping algorithm, high dimensional problems, robust design, some challenges and potential feasible methods. Generally, this paper provides insightful observations into the performance and potential development of these methods in sheet metal forming design.

Uniaxial tensile behavior of porous metal fiber sintered sheet

A novel porous metal fiber sintered sheet （PMFSS） with a three-dimensional reticulated structure was fabricated by multi-tooth cutting and high-temperature solid-phase sintering process with copper fibers. A uniaxial tensile test was conducted to investigate the effect of fiber length and natural aging factor on the tensile properties of the PMFSS. Results indicated that, under given stress, the increase of fiber length helped reinforce the tensile strength. The elongation of the PMFSS with medium length fiber of 15 mm exhibited the optimal performance, reaching about 13.5%. After natural aging treatment for a month, the tensile strength of PMFSS significantly decreased, but the change of elongation was negligible except for the one with the shortest fiber length of 5 mm, whose elongation was effectively improved. The morphological fracture features of PMFSSs were also characterized.

Investigation of Surface Damage in Forming of High Strength and Galvanized Steel Sheets

Powdering/exfoliating of coatings and scratching galvanized steels and high strength steels （HSS）, are the main forms of surface damage in the forming of which result in increased die maintenance cost and scrap rate. In this study, a special rectangular box was developed to investigate the behavior and characteristics of surface damage in sheet metal forming （SMF） processes. U-channel forming tests were conducted to study the effect of tool hardness on surface damage in the forming of high strength steels and galvanized steels （hot-dip galvanized and galvannealed steels）. Experimental results indicate that sheet deformation mode influences the severity of surface damage in SMF and surface damage occurs easily at the regions where sheet specimen deforms under the action of compressive stress. Die corner is the position where surface damage initiates. For HSS sheet, surface damage is of major interest due to high forming pressure. The HSS and hot-dip galvanized steels show improved ability of damage-resistance with increased hardness of the forming tool. However, for galvannealed steel it is not the forming tool with the highest hardness value that performs best.

DETERMINATION OF BLANK HOLDER FORCE IN SHEET METAL DEEP DRAWING PROCESS

Blank holder force (BHF) is an important measure to control the sheet metal forming. BHF is identified quickly using artificial neural network (ANN) on the basis of its analytical description. And critical rupture and wrinkle BHF curves are given. A close-loop control system is established to finish the forming process.