The multi-point forming (MPF) process for three-dimensional curved sheet metal has been developed as an alternative to the conventional die forming process since MPF allows the manufacturing of various shapes using one die set and reduce the cost of production. However, the MPF process cannot provide high quality products yet due to defects occurring in the sheet such as dimples and wrinkles. It can also lead to economic loss because of long tool setup time and additional machining required outside of the sheet formed area. In this study, a new sheet metal forming method, called flexible roll forming (FRF), is proposed to solve the problems of existing processes for three-dimensional curved sheet metal. This progressive process utilizes adjusting rods, as well as upper and lower flexible rollers as forming tools. In contrast with the existing processes, FRF can reduce the additional production costs because of the possible blank size for the part longitudinal direction, which is unrestricted. In this research, methods and procedures of the flexible roll forming technology are described. Numerical forming simulations of representative three-dimensional curved sheet products are also carried out to demonstrate the feasibility of this technology.

A series of finite element analyses of the rolling process were performed and a neural network algorithm was employed to calculate the amount of ski-effect for an arbitrary thickness of incoming material in the roll gap. Pilot hot plate rolling tests were also conducted to verify the usefulness of the finite element analyzes conducted in this study. In these experiments, plates with thicknesses varying from 25 to 65 mm were tested. In addition, a number of rolling reductions of up to 31% were examined. Finally, a number of circumferential upper and lower rolls were investigated. Experimental validations demonstrated that the neural network algorithm predicted the proper amount of ski when rolling conditions(material thickness, reduction ratio, roll velocity differential) changed arbitrarily.

The deformation behavior of NIMONIC 80A was studied in the high temperature range of $900{\sim}1200^{\circ}C$ and for strain rates varying between 0.02 and $20s^{-1}$ via the hot compression test. Processing maps for hot working were constructed on the basis of the power dissipation efficiency using a dynamic material model. The results showed that the strength during hot compression increased with increasing strain rate and decreasing temperature. At low strains, the processing map of NIMONIC 80A did not reveal any instability domain regardless of the strain rate and temperature. However, at high strains, the processing map exhibited an instability domain at a low strain rate of $0.2s^{-1}$ and within a temperature range of $900{\sim}960^{\circ}C$. In the instability domain, the deformed microstructure exhibited shear bands and carbide precipitation while, in the safe domain, full recrystallization occurred.

Aluminum clad sheets for brazing materials in the automotive heat exchangers are required to exhibit both high strength and excellent erosion resistance. In this study, the effects of microstructural changes on the property of clad sheets due to thermomechanical treatment were investigated. The clad sheets were fabricated by roll bonding of twin-roll-cast AA3527 and AA4343 alloys followed by cold rolling down to a thickness of 0.22mm. Partial or full annealing was conducted at the final thickness in order to improved the erosion resistance while keeping the proper strength. Since full annealing was achieved for a temperature of $400^{\circ}C$, annealing treatments were performed at 360, 380, and $400^{\circ}C$, respectively. The tensile strength of 3527/4343 clad material was found to be inversely proportional to the annealing temperature before the brazing heat treatment. After this latter treatment, however, the tensile strength of the clad material was about 195~200MPa regardless of the annealing temperature. The erosion depth ratio of the clad annealed at $400^{\circ}C$ was 8.8% (the lowest), while that of the clad annealed at $380^{\circ}C$ was 17% (the highest). The effect of annealing temperature on the tensile and erosion properties of 3527/4343 aluminum clad sheets was elucidated by means of microstructural analyses.

Experiments and numerical simulations of the incremental upsetting test were carried out to investigate void closure behavior and mechanical characteristic of a 1.5wt%C ultra-high carbon steel. The experimental results showed that the voids become quickly smaller as the reduction ratio increases. The simulation results confirmed this behavior and indicated that the voids were completely closed at a reduction ratio of about 40~45% during incremental upsetting. After the completion of the incremental upsetting tests, the process of diffusion bonding was employed to heal the closed voids in the deformed specimens. To check the appropriate temperature for diffusion bonding, deformed specimens were kept at 800, 900, 1000 and $1100^{\circ}C$ for an hour. In order to investigate the effect of holding time for diffusion bonding at $1100^{\circ}C$, specimens were kept at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60minutes in the furnace. A distinction between closed and healed voids was clearly established using microstructural observations. In addition, subsequent tensile tests demonstrated that complete healing of a closed void was achieved for diffusion bonding temperatures in the range $900{\sim}1100^{\circ}C$ with a holding time larger than 1 hour.

The tube hydroforming process has received much attention in the automotive industry because of its advantages compared to conventional manufacturing technologies. A wide range of products such as sub-frames, camshafts, radiator frames, axles and crankshafts are made by hydroforming process. The hydroformed parts often need to be structurally joined to other components during assembly. Therefore, these automotive parts need to be manufactured with a localized attachment flange. In this study, FE forming analyses of a part with a rectangular flanged shape was performed with Dynaform 5.5. Using the optimized conditions determined numerically, hydroforming experiments were performed. Then, the characterization of defects was analyzed. Finally, the accuracy of the optimized internal pressure condition as well as that of the initial ram position were evaluated. The results demonstrated that flanged parts can be successfully produced using the tube hydroforming process.