Stress-Strain and form Accuracy of Carbon Steel Components Produced by a Multi-Point Stretch Forming Technique

Abstract

Multi-point stretch forming, in contrast to the conventional solid stretching multi-point die, is a crucial flexible technology for sheet metal forming. The most significant advantage of this technology consists in forming many different components on the same machine. The conventional multi-point die generates dimples on the component surface. The three multi-point die arrangements: conventional, inclined, and shifted were discussed to compare the forming effect. The examination was focused on spherical components. Numerical analysis and corresponding experiments were carried out. Simulation results agree well with experimental data. Inclined and shifted arrangements result in smaller stresses, strains, and thickness thinning of the component are all smaller. Stresses are distributed more uniformly. The number of dimples is reduced, and stretching ditches are suppressed, the forming effect is improved best the forming effect is observed for the shifted arrangement. The research results are a strong evidence supporting the feasibility of developing a new multi-point die.