High‐Pressure Sheet Metal Forming of Large Scale Structures from Sheets with Optimised Thickness Distribution

Abstract

In order to manufacture components optimised in regard to lightweight construction, the use of innovative forming processes like high‐pressure sheet metal forming (HBU) in combination with the use of tailor rolled blanks (TRB) as innovative semi‐finished materials is a promising solution. To realise a sufficient forming process reliability, at first, investigations on the seal system were carried out. Hereby, a non‐adjustable as well as a new adjustable seal system have been investigated and qualified as sufficient solutions for this process depending on thickness ratio and thickness gradient within the TRB. One typical workpiece geometry which offers a promising lightweight potential and which can be manufactured from TRB with the HBU‐process is the class of body structures. Therefore, an idealised large scale structure has been designed and investigated in theoretical (numerical) and experimental research. The research work has shown that this large scale structure can be manufactured sufficiently by the HBU of TRB.