Die stress analysis and improvement of the welding valve fastener in multi-stage forging

Abstract

This study explores the multi-stage cold forming die of a welding valve fastener using simulation software. It is possible to understand the various stress intensities of the die core bore and the corresponding distributions during each forging stage so as to improve the service life of the die. These stresses include radial stress, axial stress, hoop stress, and maximum principal stress, as well as the different types of stresses that could cause different fractures of the die core. Therefore, it is necessary to use different die design methods to improve the fracture issues for different die cores. For example, shrink fit can be used between the die core and die case. By adjusting the size of the shrink fit, tensile hoop stress can be converted into compressive hoop stress, which can avoid the generation of axial cracking of the die during the forging formation. In addition, drastic changes in axial stress caused by the stress concentration on the die core can yield a transverse crack of the die core. Thus adopting preventative measures by split such a stress concentration into two sections reduces the drastic changes in axial stress on that section.