Experimental Studies on Geometrical Accuracy During Single-Point Incremental Forming of Inconel 625 Superalloy

Abstract

The single-point incremental forming has been globally accepted as an advanced method of sheet metal forming due to its rapid prototyping and economic benefits. The process has sensitively released the practice of using expensive dies, making it suitable for manufacturing custom-built products in tiny batches. Further, it is getting acceptance in producing parts of shabby machinery. In recent years, superalloys have become the most commonly used materials in the transportation, automotive, aeronautics and marine industries due to their fundamental and structural applications. The input parameters considered in this study are step size, feed rate and tool spindle speed. The effects of all three process parameters on the geometrical accuracy of Inconel 625 superalloy conical parts formed by the single-point incremental forming process are considered in this work. The deviations in roundness, concentricity, half-cone angle and straightness from the target values were considered as response parameters to measure the accuracy. The results showed that the part accuracy could be enhanced by using minimum step size, feed rate and maximum tool spindle speed.