The Increased Forming Limits of Incremental Sheet Forming Processes

Abstract

Incremental sheet forming is known to give higher forming limits than conventional sheet forming processes, but investigation of this effect has been impeded by the computational cost of process models which include detailed predictions of through thickness behaviour. Here, a simplified process is used to gain insight into the mechanics of a broad class of incremental forming processes. The simplified process is described and shown to give increases in forming limits compared to a conventional process with the same geometry. A model of the process is set up with a commercial finite element package, validated, and used to trace the history of a ‘pin’ inserted perpendicularly into the workpiece. The history of the deformation of the ‘pin’ demonstrates significant through thickness shear occurring in the direction parallel to tool motion. This insight is used to modify an existing analysis used to predict forming limit curves. The analysis shows that for a sheet with uniform proportional loading, the forming limit is increased when through thickness shear is present, and this is proposed as an explanation for the increased forming limits of incremental sheet forming processes.