Analysis of competitive localized-incremental forging processes
Localized and incremental forming processes (LIFP) are presented as a new and competitive approach of forging processes. Based on the use of tools with simple shapes and small relative size, LIFP can be used to form a workpiece by the concatenation of isolated operations throughout the forming volume. In conventional compression processes the flow of information is mainly restricted to design and manufacturing of dies. However, in LIFP the most important flow of information is focused on the own process. In this work, a particular LIFP is analyzed by numerical simulation and the results are compared to those obtained in a conventional upsetting process. Results show some advantages of this new approach opposite to conventional one, such as the maximum required force in LIFP is lower than in upsetting, and that optimized trajectories should be defined by means of intelligent algorithms in order to reach more competitive processes.
