Study on a straightening process by reciprocating bending for metal profiles

Abstract

The straightness is a critical quality parameter of metal profiles, and straightening is a necessary process in metal profile production. Due to the limitations of the existing straightening methods, the straightening process by reciprocating bending for metal profiles is proposed. The curvature is unified by multiple reciprocating bending, and then the straightening is completed by reverse bending. The process has the advantages of high straightening efficiency, flexibility, and wide straightening range. In order to verify the feasibility of the process, numerical simulation and physical experiment are carried out with the rectangular section profile with “C” shape and “S” shape. The results show the profiles of different shapes are unified into arcs of the same size after multiple reciprocating bending. In addition, the smaller the elastic area ratio (ratio of elastic deformation to overall deformation) is, the better the effect of unification curvature is. The residual deflection is basically the same after straightening, and straightness is within 0.1%.