Simulation and Modeling of Single Point Incremental Forming Processes within a Solidworks Environment

Single Point Incremental Forming (SPIF) process has been largely developed for the last ten years due to the multiple advantages that presents as its well known dieless configuration, the larger conformability that can be obtained with it and its flexibility. In spite of that, the process has been experimentally applied to soft-fluent alloys, like aluminium alloys. Herein there are multiple variables taking part and related to the technological parameters, the material conformability and the friction phenomena. These effects have not been sufficiently studied, especially at steel applications. The present work is a part of a future extended research and tries to evaluate in advance the stresses and strains existing in the sheet and in the tool during SPIF of DC-05 steel. A Solidworks (R) environment has been created to do a FEM Simulation of this process. (C) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.