Innovative techniques, such as hydroforming and incremental forming, are characterized by the possibility to be easily adapted to realize a small production lot with low tools cost. In this work, grooves in sheets have been realized by means of the incremental forming technology. The aim of this study is the forces analysis in relation to the tool path and its diameter. FEM simulations have been achieved with the purpose to carry out a comparison between the forces values experimentally pointed out and the ones by FEM. FE analysis has besides allowed the individualization of the points where the failure conditions take place by the simple evaluation of the reached stress values. So, the FE method could be used to determine the tool path in the design phase of the process cycle.

by:F. Capece Minutolo, M. Durante, A. Formisano, A. Langella
Dept. of Materials and Production Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, P.le Tecchio 80, 80125 Naples, Italy