Study on buffering performance of thin-walled metal tube with different angles

High frequency shock load is often generated during pyrotechnic device working, which is detrimental to spacecraft structures and electric devices. Therefore, it is valuable to reduce the shock load in pyrotechnic device design. Actually, there are several ways to decrease pyroshock loads, such as reduction of powder,installation of buffering structure, insulation of damageable devices, and so on. Considered assuring the function of pyrotechnic device and minimum of structure modification, shock absorbing structure is more propitious to be introduced in pyrotechnic device. In this paper, based on the method of thinwalled metal tube diameter-expanding, a thin-walled tube shock buffering structure was designed on a separate bolt. Built on the simplified structure of a separate bolt, the model of cone piston impacting thin-walled tube absorber was established, and the thin-walled tube shock absorbing characteristics and the relation between cone angles and absorber performance were analyzed. The results showed that the change of buffering force of thin-walled tube could be divided into four phases, and each phase was correspondent to the cone piston structure. In addition, as the cone angle increases, the max shock acceleration changes in the style of decrease-increase-decrease-increase, which is the result of coupled effects of cone piston max enter depth, buffering force and energy loss. In short, these results could establish the relationships between thin-walled tube absorbing performance and its structure, which is of significance to develop low-shock pyrotechnic device.

Sheet Bulk Forming of Thin-Walled Components with External Gearing through Upsetting Using Controllable Deformation Zone Method

Sheet-bulk metal forming(SBMF)is a promising process for manufacturing complex sheet components with functional elements.In this study,the entire forming process for a typical thin-walled component with external gearing is investigated,including sheet forming and bulk forming processes.Deep drawn cups are prepared during sheet forming;subsequently,upsetting is performed on the sidewall to form external gearing.The upsetting method performed is known as upsetting with a controllable deformation zone(U-CDZ).Compared with the conventional upsetting method,a floating counter punch with a counter force is used in the U-CDZ method such that the forming mechanism is changed into the accumulation of the deformation zone instead of deformation throughout the entire sidewall.The effects of the counter force and material flow are investigated to understand the mechanism.The forming quality,i.e.,the formfilling and effective strain distribution,improved,whereas a high forming load is avoided.In addition,a punch with a lock bead is used to prevent folding at the inner corner during the experiment.

Inhibiting plastic tensile instability of non-symmetric thin-walled shell component via increasing regional metal inflow based on heterogeneous pressure-carrying medium

Heterogeneous pressure-carrying medium was employed to establish a differentiated pressure field on sheet metal in flexible die forming process in this work,which aimed at matching the non-symmetric shape of target component and improving metal inflow to avoid local tensile instability.Specifically,metal inflow corresponding to the differentiated pressure field was analytically evaluated.Forming of a typical non-symmetric shell component was experimentally and numerically studied based on the proposed method.Compared with forming processes based on the uniform pressure,difference of metal inflow in two sides of the non-symmetric component increased from 2.16 mm to 3.36 mm and metal inflow in critical region increased by 11.9%when differentiated pressure field(taking heterogeneous elastomer#4–3 for example)was employed.The resultant maximum thinning ratio decreased by 4.2% and the uniformity of shell thickness increased by 16.9%.With the decrease of Shore hardness of elastomer in the formed region,stress path in the ready-to-form region transferred towards the bi-axial tension stress state,i.e.,stress ratio(a)increased.And,stress triaxiality(η)in characteristic regions were regulated appropriately,which decreased the risk of tensile instability.It was attributed to the decreased normal pressure and frictional resistance at sheet/elastomer interface in the formed region.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A Study on Super Speed Forming of Metal Sheet by Laser Shock Waves

Metal sheet plastic deformation or forming is gener at ed through a mechanical pressure or a thermal variation. These pressure variatio ns or thermal variations can be created by a variety of means such as press form ing, hydroforming, imploding detonation and so on. According to the magnitude of the strain rates all these forming methods can be divided into quasi-static fo rming and dynamical forming. Up to now there are no reports of forming methods w ith the strain rates above 10 5sec -1, even though the exploding forming. In this article, we work on a dynamic super-speed forming method driven by lase r shock waves and advanced a novel concept of laser shock forming. The initial o bservation of the laser shock forming is done through a bugle testing with speci mens of SUS430 sheet metal, using a neodymium-glass laser of pulse energy 10J～ 3 0J and duration of 20 ns (FWHM). The investigation revealed that the plastic de formation during the laser shock forming is characterized as ultrahigh strain ra te up to 10 7sec -1. We indicate that plastic deformation increases nonlin early when the energy density of the laser varies. By investigating the hardness and residual stress of the surfaces, we conclude that laser shock forming is a combination technique of laser shock strengthening and metal forming for introdu cing a strain harden and a compressive residual stress on the surface of the wor k-piece, and the treated surface by laser shock forming has good properties in fatigue and corrosion resistance. This technique can achieve forming wit h or without mould.

Simulation and Experiment on Workability for Cold Pressure Forming of Sheet Metal Part with Step Cross-section

In modem manufacturing, a new type of sheet metal part with step cross-section in both inner hole and outer edge is proposed. The traditional stamping separating processes can only produce sheet metal part with vertical cross-section. According to the latest developing theory and potential of cold pressure forming： combination of pressure and cold forging, a new flow control forming of sheet metal（FCF） is excogitated based on blanking process of general stamping and combined with cold forging processes such as extrusion and coining, etc, which is aiming at the above-mentioned new type of sheet metal part. With utilization of this new process, the new type of sheet metal parts can be manufactured. In order to shorten the testing period, the numerical simulation was carried out by using DEFORM-3D software, and both deformation and mechanics rules were analyzed. Based on the simulation, both punching part and blanked parts of this new type were successfully developed. Then a new conception of optimal distance between the step walls of inner hole and outside edge was proposed and the design principle for its numerical value was inferred. Furthermore, a mold set for combination of stamping ＆ cold forging was designed and manufactured, by which the technologic experiments were taken for validation with Aluminum plate of thickness 2.35 mm for power battery cover board, which verified the principle of the distance between the step walls. The research of cold pressure forming of thin sheet metal with step cross-section is significant, not only to the development of modem mechanical manufacture, but also to metal plastic forming science.

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.

Influence of Transverse Normal Pressure on Deformation Behavior of Sheet Metal

To investigate the influence of magnitude and distribution of the transverse normal pressure on deformation behavior of sheet metal,viscous pressure bulge test (VPB) of overlapping sheet metals is proposed,where the overlapped sheet metal is deformed under the dual-sided normal pressure provided by viscous medium and the overlapping sheet.The transverse normal pressure loading features provided by overlapping sheet metals are first simulated by DEFORM-2D.It shows that the magnitude and space distribution of transverse normal pressure are dependent on strain hardening exponent n-,strength coefficient K-and thickness t-values of the overlapping sheet metal.Based on the stress,deviator stress and strain distribution resulted from the finite element simulation,it indicated that the uniform transverse normal pressure has no effect on deviator stress,the figure and strain distribution of bulge specimens have no change.The non-uniform transverse normal pressure can remarkably change the figure and metal flow of specimens,and the formability of sheet metal can be improved by controlling the transverse normal pressure distribution.

MECHANISMS OF LOCALIZED NECKING DEFORMATION OF SHEET METALS

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STUDY ON THE FINITE ELEMENT NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF SHEET METAL FORMING

Based on the Finite Element Theory of Rigid Plastic, relevant problems during plas-tic simulation on sheet metal forming were technologically studied and simplified; asimplified model of the blank holder during the drawing process was established andthe effects of related parameters on the forming processes were also studied. At thesame time, a finite--element numerical simulation program SPID was developed. Thedistribution of strain and relationship of stress--stroke simulated were compared withexperimented, the results are well coincided with each other. It is verified that theanalytical program is reliable.

NC INCREMENTAL SHEET METAL FORMING PROCESS AND VERTICAL WALL SQUARE BOX FORMING

The forming principle and deformation analysis of NC incremental sheet metalforming process as well as the process planning, experiment and key process parameters of verticalwall square box forming are presented. Because the deformation of sheet metal only occurs around thetool head and the deformed region is subjected to stretch deformation, the deformed region of sheetmetal thins, and surface area increases. Sheet metal forming stepwise is to lead to the whole sheetmetal deformation. The forming half-apex angle 9 and corner radius R are the main processparameters in NC incremental forming of vertical wall square box. According to sine law, a verticalwall square box can't be formed by NC incremental sheet metal forming process in a single process,rather, it must be formed in multi processes. Thus, the parallel line type tool path process methodis presented to form the vertical wall square box, and the experiment and analysis are made toverify it.

EXPERIMENTAL TESTING OF DRAW-BEAD RESTRAINING FORCE IN SHEET METAL FORMING

Due to complexities of draw-bead restraining force calculated according to theory and depending on sheet metal forming properties experiment testing system, a simplified method to calculate draw-bead restraining force is put forward by experimental method in cup-shaped drawing process. The experimental results were compared with numerical results and proved agreement. It shows the method is effective.

Experimental Investigation of the Effect of the Material Damage Induced in Sheet Metal Forming Process on the Service Performance of 22MnB5 Steel

The use of ultra-high strength steels through sheet metal forming process offers a practical solution to the lightweight design of vehicles.However,sheet metal forming process not only produces desirable changes in material properties but also causes material damage that may adversely influence the service performance of the material formed.Thus,an investigation is conducted to experimentally quantify such influence for a commonly used steel（the 22MnB5 steel） based on the hot and cold forming processes.For each process,a number of samples are used to conduct a uniaxial tensile test to simulate the forming process.After that,some of the samples are trimmed into a standard shape and then uniaxially extended until fracture to simulate the service stage.Finally,a microstructure test is conducted to analyze the microdefects of the remaining samples.Based on the results of the first two tests,the effect of material damage on the service performance of 22MnB5 steel is analyzed.It is found that the material damages of both the hot and cold forming processes cause reductions in the service performance,such as the failure strain,the ultimate stress,the capacity of energy absorption and the ratio of residual strain.The reductions are generally lower and non-linear in the former process but higher and linear in the latter process.Additionally,it is found from the microstructure analysis that the difference in the reductions of the service performance of 22MnB5 by the two forming processes is driven by the difference in the micro damage mechanisms of the two processes.The findings of this research provide a useful reference in terms of the selection of sheet metal forming processes and the determination of forming parameters for 22MnB5.

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.

TOOL PATH GENERATION BASED ON STL FILE FOR SHEET METAL DIELESS FORMING

Sheet metal dieless forming is a new metal forming technology. Thistechnology adopts the principle of rapid prototyping technology, so it can form sheet metal partswithout traditional die and moulds. According to the characteristic of sheet metal dieless formingtechnology a new way of tool path generation based on the STL file for sheet metal dieless formingis proposed.