Reliability Analysis of the Tube Hydroforming Process Based on Forming Limit Diagram

Author(s):  
Bing Li ◽  
Don R. Metzger ◽  
T. J. Nye

Tube hydroforming has become an increasingly attractive manufacturing process in automotive industry due to it having several advantages over alternative methods. The forming limit diagram has been extensively used in metal forming as the criteria of formability. A method to assess the probability of failure of the process based on reliability theory and the forming limit diagram is proposed in this paper. The tube hydroforming process is affected by many parameters such as geometry, material properties, and process conditions. Finite element simulation was used to predict the relationship between the strain and these parameters, and a numerical method was applied to get the statistical distribution of the strain. Based on the forming limit band in the forming limit diagram, the reliability of the forming process can be evaluated. A tube hydroforming process of free bulging is then introduced as an example to illustrate the approach. The results show this reliability evaluation technique to be an innovative approach for product designers and process engineers to avoid failure during tube hydroforming.

2005 ◽  
Vol 128 (3) ◽  
pp. 402-407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bing Li ◽  
Don R. Metzger ◽  
Tim J. Nye

Tube hydroforming is an attractive manufacturing process in the automotive industry because it has several advantages over alternative methods. In order to determine the reliability of the process, a new method to assess the probability of failure is proposed in this paper. The method is based on the reliability theory and the forming limit diagram, which has been extensively used in metal forming as the criteria of formability. From the forming limit band in the forming limit diagram, the reliability of the forming process can be evaluated. A tube hydroforming process of free bulging is then introduced as an example to illustrate the approach. The results show this technique to be an innovative approach to avoid failure during tube hydroforming.


2011 ◽  
Vol 62 ◽  
pp. 21-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anis Ben Abdessalem ◽  
A. El Hami

In metal forming processes, different parameters (Material constants, geometric dimensions, loads …) exhibits unavoidable scatter that lead the process unreliable and unstable. In this paper, we interest particularly in tube hydroforming process (THP). This process consists to apply an inner pressure combined to an axial displacement to manufacture the part. During the manufacturing phase, inappropriate choice of the loading paths can lead to failure. Deterministic approaches are unable to optimize the process with taking into account to the uncertainty. In this work, we introduce the Reliability-Based Design Optimization (RBDO) to optimize the process under probabilistic considerations to ensure a high reliability level and stability during the manufacturing phase and avoid the occurrence of such plastic instability. Taking account of the uncertainty offer to the process a high stability associated with a low probability of failure. The definition of the objective function and the probabilistic constraints takes advantages from the Forming Limit Diagram (FLD) and the Forming Limit Stress Diagram (FLSD) used as a failure criterion to detect the occurrence of wrinkling, severe thinning, and necking. A THP is then introduced as an example to illustrate the proposed approach. The results show the robustness and efficiency of RBDO to improve thickness distribution and minimize the risk of potential failure modes.


Metals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min-A Woo ◽  
Woo-Jin Song ◽  
Beom-Soo Kang ◽  
Jeong Kim

The current study examines the forming limit diagram (FLD) of Al 6061-T6 during the electrohydraulic forming process based on the Marciniak–Kuczynski theory (M-K theory). To describe the work-hardening properties of the material, Hollomon’s equation—that includes strain and strain rate hardening parameters—was used. A quasi-static tensile test was performed to obtain the strain-hardening factor and the split-Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) test was carried out to acquire the strain rate hardening parameter. To evaluate the reliability of the stress–strain curves obtained from the SHPB test, a numerical model was performed using the LS–DYNA program. Hosford’s yield function was also employed to predict the theoretical FLD. The obtained FLD showed that the material could have improved formability at a high strain rate index condition compared with the quasi-static condition, which means that the high-speed forming process can enhance the formability of sheet metals. Finally, the FLD was compared with the experimental results from electrohydraulic forming (EHF) free-bulging test, which showed that the theoretical FLD was in good agreement with the actual forming limit in the EHF process.


2006 ◽  
Vol 510-511 ◽  
pp. 330-333
Author(s):  
M.C. Curiel ◽  
Ho Sung Aum ◽  
Joaquín Lira-Olivares

Numerical simulations based on Finite Element Analysis (FEA) are widely used to predict and evaluate the forming parameters before performing the physical processes. In the sheet metal industry, there are basically two types of FE programs: the inverse (one-step) programs and the incremental programs. In the present paper, the forming process of the shield case piece (LTA260W1-L05) was optimized by performing simulations with both types of software. The main analyzed parameter was the blankholding force while the rest of the parameters were kept constant. The criteria used to determine the optimum value was based on the Forming Limit Diagram (FLD), fracture and wrinkling of the material, thickness distribution, and the principal strains obtained. It was found that the holding force during the forming process deeply affects the results, and a range of values was established in which the process is assumed to give a good quality piece.


2014 ◽  
Vol 622-623 ◽  
pp. 3-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenichi Manabe

A sophisticated servo press with the digital control has been developed and attracted attention in recent years. By utilizing its high function in-process, servo presses have a potential to enhance the forming limit and to improve quality and accuracy of product not only in sheet stamping but also in tube hydroforming processes. On the other hand, in-process control and adaptive process control technologies in metal forming processes using intelligent technique and soft computing have been investigated and developed previously. Nowadays we are in a good environment to realize further advanced adaptive in-process control in metal forming process. To further advance this technology, sensing system is essential element and it should be applied to feedback control optimally in their forming operation. This paper describes the current situation on advanced intelligent process control technology for sheet stamping and tube hydroforming processes on the basis of the research results by the author.


Metals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1518
Author(s):  
Yeong-Maw Hwang ◽  
Yau-Jiun Tsai

Manufacturing of irregular bellows with small corner radii and sharp angles is a challenge in tube hydroforming processes. Design of movable dies with an appropriate loading path is an alternative solution to obtain products with required geometrical and dimensional specifications. In this paper, a tube hydroforming process using a novel movable die design is developed to decrease the internal pressure and the maximal thinning ratio in the formed product. Two kinds of feeding types are proposed to make the maximal thinning ratio in the formed bellows as small as possible. A finite element simulation software “DEFORM 3D” is used to analyze the plastic deformation of the tube within the die cavity using the proposed movable die design. Forming windows for sound products using different feeding types are also investigated. Finally, tube hydroforming experiments of irregular bellows are conducted and experimental thickness distributions of the products are compared with the simulation results to validate the analytical modeling with the proposed movable die concept.


2013 ◽  
Vol 442 ◽  
pp. 593-598
Author(s):  
Xue Xia Wang ◽  
Peng Chong Guan ◽  
Hai Peng Li ◽  
Li Hui Wang ◽  
Na Zhang ◽  
...  

Flanging and bending forming processes of the crossmember in car intermediate floor are investigated respectively by using numerical simulation technology. The numerical model of the crossmember was established and its press forming effect was simulated to determine the feasible process parameters affecting its manufacturability. Forming limit diagram and thickness distribution diagram are used to evaluate simulation results of different process schemes. And then optimum values of process parameters for flanging and bending are found, which can reduce the tendencies of wrinkling, springback and crackling during the stamping of the product.


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