SPIF-A: on the development of a new concept of incremental forming machine

Abstract

This paper presents the design and project of an innovative concept for a Single Point Incremental Forming (SPIF) Machine. Nowadays, equipment currently available for conducting SPIF result mostly from the adaptation of conventional CNC machine tools that results in a limited range of applications in terms of materials and geometries. There is also a limited market supply of equipment dedicated to Incremental Sheet Forming (ISF), that are costly considering low batches, making it unattractive for industry. Other factors impairing a quicker spread of SPIF are large forming times and poor geometrical accuracy of parts. The following sections will depict the development of a new equipment, designed to overcome some of the limitations of machines currently used, allowing the development of a sounding basis for further studies on the particular features of this process. The equipment here described possesses six-degrees-of freedom for the tool, for the sake of improved flexibility in terms of achievable tool-paths and an extra stiffness provided by a parallel kinematics scheme. A brief state of the art about the existing SPIF machines is provided to support the project's guidelines.