The Potential for Electromagnetic Metal Forming for Plane (Car Body) Components

Abstract

Classical quasi-static technologies of sheet metal forming are not the only domain of the Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology (IWU). It also delves into techniques for high-energy rate forming, such as gas generator technology, and it will be dedicating greater efforts to electromagnetic metal forming. Electromagnetic metal forming processes major potential for innovation and development in manufacturing car-body components since the benefits to be derived from this technique (such as extending the limitations of forming, enhancing spring back behavior, and delivering a high degree of flexibility in production) have this sector's key problems in mind. The Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology focuses its research on coming up with technology, tool and plant strategies suitable for manufacturing medium-sized and large car-body components. There are two technological directions that IWU targets in this field of research. First of all, given the existing technical and physical process constraints, it is studying the possibilities of large-scale and partial deformation since both directions are of importance for the targeted products. However, these two approaches have very different requirements for designing and tools. The first approach forms components without preforming. Several forming steps are required for mapping typical car-body component shapes either with serial workstations or a flexible tool system. The partial electromagnetic metal forming approach means using integrated plant components, i.e. combining conventional press equipment with a magnetic forming plant. This can tap a potential that encompasses the technological benefits mentioned above while hiking productivity and scaling down the expenditures for investing in equipment.