Effects of Part Geometry on Spring-Back/Spring-Go Feature in U-Bending Process

Abstract

The U-bending process is a common sheet-metal forming process widely employed to fabricate sheet parts like channels, beams, and frames of various sizes applied in almost all industrial fields. In recent years, the precision requirements are increased on the U-bent parts. To achieve these requirements, in this study, the effects of part geometry on the spring-back/spring-go feature including work piece length, U-channel width, punch and die radii, and work piece thickness, were investigated by using the finite element method (FEM) and laboratory experiments. The FEM simulation results clearly revealed the influence of part geometry on spring-back/spring-go feature via the changes of stress distribution analyses on the bending allowance zone, the bottom of bent part, and the U-leg of bent part. Specifically, the part geometry affected on the bending characteristic on the bending allowance zone, as well as it affected on the spring-back feature. In addition, the part geometry also affected on the formation of reversed bending characteristic on the bottom and U-leg of bent parts, as well as it affected on the spring-go feature. The bending angle could be achieved by compensating these bending and reversed bending characteristics. Therefore, to meet the required bending angle, the suitable design of part geometry was strongly considered to maintain the balancing of the bending and reversed bending characteristics. The laboratory experiments were carried out to validate the accuracy of the FEM simulation results. The FEM simulation results showed good agreement with the experimental results with reference to the bending angle and bending force.