Finite element analysis on the coined-bead mechanism during the V-bending process

The coined-bead technique is commonly applied to solve the spring-back problem in the V-bending process. However, the coined-bead mechanism on the spring-back/spring-go feature has not been clearly identified yet. In this study, the finite element method (FEM) and laboratory experiments were used to investigate the coined-bead mechanism and its effects on the spring-back/spring-go feature. The features were clearly identified using a stress distribution analysis. The results revealed that the mechanism of the coined-bead technique not only increases the compressive stress on the bending allowance zone, where the spring-back feature decreases, but also increases the reversed bending zone on the leg of the workpiece, where the spring-go feature increases. Therefore, after compensating for the increases in the compressive stress and the reversed bending feature, the amount of spring-back on the bent part was decreased. The FEM simulation bending force and bending angle results were agreed with those from the experimental results. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.