Title: Finite element analysis of the tube flow forming process

Authors: Luciano Pessanha Moreira, Geovani Rodrigues, Luiz C. Rolim Lopes

Addresses: Programa de Pos-graduacao em Engenharia Metalurgica, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Volta Redonda, RJ, Brazil. ' Programa de Pos-graduacao em Engenharia Metalurgica, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Volta Redonda, RJ, Brazil. ' Programa de Pos-graduacao em Engenharia Metalurgica, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Volta Redonda, RJ, Brazil

Abstract: In this work, a numerical study is presented with to analyse the flow forming process as a function of the initial condition of the preform material, namely, in the as-received state and after quenching and tempering heat treatments. An industrial tube flow forming process is analysed with 2D plane-strain and 3D Finite Element (FE) models. The predictions indicate that the as-received condition gives slightly lower drawing forces in comparison to the quenching and tempering condition. Finally, the results determined with the 3D FE modelling show that the drawing forces strongly depend upon the element formulation adopted to describe the preform blank.

Keywords: finite element method; FEM; tube flow forming; tube spinning; finite element analysis; FEA; modelling; drawing forces.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMS.2008.020507

International Journal of Mechatronics and Manufacturing Systems, 2008 Vol.1 No.2/3, pp.218 - 231

Published online: 28 Sep 2008 *

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