The flexible rolling process(FRP) is a novel three-dimensional(3 D) forming process that combines the multipoint and traditional rolling forming. The principle of FRP is based on thickness thinning, so the deformation path significantly impacts the forming effect. In this study, the multistep forming process with different deformation paths was introduced to improve the forming effect of FRP. For instance, with the convex surface part, three finite element models of multistep FRP(MSFRP) were established. The corresponding numerical simulations and forming experiments performed among different deformation paths showed the surface part with a longer effective forming region was obtained and the forming regions with more steps in MSFRP were smoother. Thus, the sheet-metal utilization rate was greatly improved. Moreover, the MSFRP can improve the longitudinal bending effect dramatically and thereby endowing the forming part with a better forming effect. Therefore, MSFRP is a prospective method for broad applications.
Ying LiWen-zhi FuMing-zhe LiXiao-dong LiuShuo SunZhuo Yi
Flexible rolling is a forming process based on thickness reduction, and the precision of thickness reduction is the key factor affecting bending deformation. The major purpose of the present work is to solve the problem of bending deformation error caused by insufficient thickness reduction. Under the condition of different rolling reductions with the same sheet thickness and the same thickness reduction with different sheet thicknesses, the thickness reduction error of sheet metal is analyzed. In addition, the bending deformation of sheet metal under the same conditions is discussed and the influence of the multi-step forming process on the thickness reduction error is studied. The results show that, under the condition of the same sheet thickness, the thickness reduction error increases with increasing rolling reduction because of an increase in work hardening. As rolling reduction increases, the longitudinal bending deformation decreases because of the decrease of the maximum thickness difference. Under the condition with the same thickness reduction, the thickness reduction error increases because of the decrease of the rolling force with increasing sheet thickness. As the sheet thickness increases, the longitudinal bending deformation increases because of the increase in the maximum thickness difference. A larger bending deformation is divided into a number of small bending deformations in a multi-step forming process, avoiding a sharp increase in the degree of work hardening; the thickness reduction error is effectively reduced in the multi-step forming process. Numerical simulation results agree with the results of the forming experiments.
