Asymmetric spinning for offset blanks

Abstract

Various approaches have been attempted by researchers to break through the limitation of axisymmetric shape in metal spinning. In this study, a synchronous multipass spinning method for offset blanks is proposed. The motion of the roller and the rotation of the mandrel are synchronized to achieve asymmetric shapes. The roller trajectory is represented by a set of scattered data which contains the axial position of the roller, the radial position of the roller, and the rotational angle of the mandrel. Conventional spinning for offset blanks is also conducted in comparison with synchronous spinning. The geometries of the products with different offset values λ are examined. The axial distribution of wall thickness varies at different circumferential positions of the product due to the oblique shape. The thickness increases from the short side to the long side of the product. A larger offset value λ results in a larger product diameter due to the springback of the material. Forming limits in terms of roller feed ratio f, offset value λ, blank thickness t0, blank diameter D, and the number of passes are investigated. Both fracture and wrinkling occur in the experiments. Due to the oblique shape, wrinkling tends to occur during the first several passes on the long side of the flange, and fracture tends to occur during the last several passes on the long side of the product. The experiments are more likely to succeed when a small offset ratio λ, a small blank diameter D, a small feed ratio f, or a large blank thickness t0 is used. Compared with synchronous spinning, the difference between the axial thickness distributions on both sides of the product is smaller in conventional spinning due to the uniform feed ratio. In terms of forming limits, conventional spinning has a slightly better performance.