Numerical investigation of incremental forming process of AISI 304 stainless steel

ABSTRACT

In recent years, sheet metal forming has gained great importance in the production process. To improve the quality of the manufactured products and reduce the production cost, incremental forming, particularly that adapted to small pieces, can be a good alternative. It is within this scope that the present study was carried out. This research work deals with the finite element simulation of the incremental forming process applied to achieve a trunk cone. It also examines the effects of the geometrical parameters of the tool and of the sheet on the forming force, stress distribution and thinning of the sheet. The obtained results show that the thinning of the sheet is more important in the case of the continuous tool path (about 0.2 mm), compared to that in the discontinuous one.

KEYWORDS:

• Forces
• incremental forming
• numerical simulation
• stress
• thinning
• sheet
• tool path
• finite element

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).