Tube bulging process using multidirectional magnetic pressure

Abstract

The ANSYS software was used to establish an electromagnetic-structural coupling model and simulate the electromagnetic tube bulging process. Compared to the experimental results, the maximum simulation error was approximately 4 % at the longitudinal center of the tube. Then, the simulation method was used to analyze the effects of multidirectional magnetic force on the tube bulging process. The results indicate that an axial magnetic force can be generated at the tube end by setting the coil at the end of the tube. The values of material flow, stress, plastic strain, and thickness in different forming processes were compared. Compared to traditional forming processes, electromagnetic tube bulging with multidirectional magnetic pressure can significantly increase the axial feeding, decrease the tensile stress, and reduce the thickness at the easily broken position. Therefore, a higher bulging height can be obtained by the new method.