Experimental and Numerical Investigation on Controlling the Material Flow in Open-Die Forging through Superimposed Manipulator Displacements

Abstract

In the past, different methods have been investigated regarding the production of curved workpieces by open-die forging as a significant demand for open-die forged parts with excellent mechanical properties exists. Current ways to produce curved workpieces by open-die forging have the disadvantages of complex preforms and inflexibility. One alternative approach to realize the production of curved workpieces by open-die forging is to actively control the material flow in open-die forging by superimposed manipulator movements during a forging stroke. Since the currently formed material between the forging dies is in a plastic state during the deformation, the required bending forces can be reduced significantly. This concept is investigated in a first study for the cold-forging of an aluminum alloy by numerical simulation and experiments on laboratory scale. For the process, the bite ratio, height reduction and the intended bending angle were identified as most important process parameters. Both numerical and experimental investigation proved the feasibility of the process principle since the bending forces, moments and the bending work can be reduced significantly.