Optimisation of loading paths in hydroforming dissymmetrical part

Abstract

The loading path is the key factor affecting tube hydroforming. An effective method is described to quickly determine the optimal loading paths for a hydroforming non‐symmetrical component through numerical simulation and theoretical calculation. According to the theory of plastic mechanics, the engineering computational expression of internal pressure is proposed in the initial stage and the reasonable forming region is determined. By adjusting different axial feeds, the reasonable axial feed is given by simulating results. And then the optimal loading path is obtained by adjusting the slope. The experimental results show that the optimal loading path determined by this method can make the dissymmetrical components form successfully and the thinning rate is the smallest in the formation zone in tube hydroforming process.

Keywords:

• Hydroforming
• Loading paths
• Dissymmetrical component