Pre-Straining Operation : Prediction of Strain Paths Within a Forming Limit Diagram

Abstract: In a Sheet Metal Forming (SMF) operation, complex geometries in multi-stage forming processes are mostly common. Forming a blank, major and minor straining willoccur. Follow the straining of the blank elements over the forming process will provide its strain paths. The strain paths can be visualized in a Forming Limit Diagram(FLD); with a Forming Limit Curve (FLC) corresponding to the strained material.In the diagram, the determination whether an element is critical due to fracture ornecking is determined. Utilizing the FLD, the formability of a material is defined;the elements and their paths are however linear. Manufacture a sheet metal usinga multi-stage forming process will contribute to Non-Linear Strain Paths (NLSP).Thus, the FLD is no longer valid. Providing a tool from the company RISE IVF AB to be used for pre-strainingoperations, the objective of this thesis work is to enhance and investigate the possibility of generating the three main strain paths - uniaxial tension, plane strain,equibiaxial tension - of the dual-phased steel DP800. This study is in collaborationwith Volvo Cars Body Components (VCBC) in Olofström, where the pre-strainingwill be used in a future study of the SMF non-linear behaviour. Utilizing the finiteelement software AutoForm - specialized on SMF operations - this numerical basedstudy can be conducted. The ability of generating the three main strain paths will be achieved by modifying the blank geometries and provided tooling. By changing the dimensions ofthe punch and draw beads, critical regions and forced concentrated straining weresupposed to be achieved. These changes are implemented with the intention to fulfillthe criterion of the straining in terms of magnitude and gradient. The result from the simulations shows that the modifications have different effecton both the straining level and gradient. The modifications of both the draw beadand the punch were not of any significant use, while the blank dimension was mostvital when generating sufficient strain paths. Hence, the tooling modifications withinthis thesis work did not enhance the prediction of the three strain paths.