Abstract
This paper proposes a novel full kinematic incremental forming process, called three opposite point incremental forming (TOPIF), in which one pair of main opposite forming tools and two pairs of auxiliary opposite tools as the supporting dynamic die are utilized to perform the components along a predefined path. Compared to the conventional kinematic incremental sheet forming (KISF) and SPIF, the process can effectively control the local deformation, improve geometric accuracy and increase the ability to form complex curved surface. The deformation analysis on TOPIF is the key to control the local deformation. A deformation analysis and the strain distributions are proposed based on a plane strain deformation mode. The results by the deformation analysis of a truncated conical shape are in accord with experimental values for 1 mm Al5052.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number LZ12E05003]; Science and Technology Department of Zhejiang Province [grant number 2010R50002-01] and [grant number 2012C01012-4] for their support. The authors also thanked the OLYMPUS (China) CO., Ltd. Shanghai Branch to provide help in terms of data measurement.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.