On a Simplified Model for the Tool and the Sheet Contact Conditions for the SPIF Process Simulation
The numerical simulation of the Single Point Incremental Forming process (SPIF) is time consuming due to the necessity to take into account various non-linearity such as the material behaviour, large strain deformation and the evolution of the tool-flange contact. Classical contact algorithms give good agreement with experimental results, but are time consuming. In this paper, we investigate the development of a procedure to simplify the management of the contact interface between the tool and the sheet. Nodes with imposed displacements are determined by a geometrical approximation of the deformed sheet. In order to have a better approximation of the local stresses in the flange, a pressure is applied on the tool side of the elements in the contact zone. The pressure value is obtained by an analytical model. A classical contact algorithm and the present simplified approach are compared in terms of an incremental forming benchmark. It has been shown that, for the benchmark problem studied here, a CPU time reduction of approximately 65% can be achieved while at the same time have good simulation results.