• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.35-42
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• 2000

In this paper, we developed the hydroforming simulator which can apply an axial compressive force and high internal pressure to bulge a tube. Experimental dtudies have been performed to investigate the effect of each parameters such as internal pressure and axial compression stroke required for the forming of circular components. Under the improper forming conditions there were two forming failures. One was the axial buckling due to excessive axial compressive load and the other was the circumferential necking fracture due to relatively high internal pressure. A safe forming zone without any failures exists between these two extreme zones. Also the condition of forming failure such as fracture is examined throughout the theoretical analysis. This paper covers a brief overview of the mechanism of hydroforming process as well as the design of die and tools.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Technology of Plasticity Conference
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• 2007.05a
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• pp.310-313
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• 2007

This paper covers finite element simulations to evaluate the bending limit of double pipe for tube-hydroforming. The tube-hydroforming process starts with a straight precut tube. The tube is often prebent in a rotary draw bending machine to fit the hydroforming tool. During the bending the tube undergoes significant deformation. So forming defects such as wrinkling, thinning and flattening are generated in the tube. Consequently we analyzed the effect of process parameters in rotary draw bending process and searched the optimized combination of process parameters to minimize the forming defects using orthogonal arrays. The characteristic to evaluate the effects of the process parameters is the bending angle which wrinkling is generated, we define the bending angle at that time as bending limit. Of many process parameters, the process parameters of the bending process such as gab between inner and outer tube, boosting force, dimensions of mandrel were analyzed. And we observed the deformation modes of bent double pipe at specific bending angle in each parameter combination.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.22-28
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• 2000

By using the finite element method, the Oyane's ductile fracture integral I was calculated from the histories of stress and strain according to every element and then the forming limit of hydroforming process could be evaluated. The fracture initiation site and the forming limit for two typical hydroforming processes, tee extrusion and bumper rail under different forming conditions are predicted in this study. For tee extrusion hydroforming process, the pressure level has significant influence on the forming limit. When the expansion area is backed by a supporter and bulged, the process would be more stable and the possibility of bursting failure is reduced. For bumper rail, the ductile fracture integral i is not only affected by the process parameters, but also by the shape of preforming blank. Due to no axial feeding on the end side of the blank, the possibility of cracking in hydroforming of the bumper rail is influenced by the friction condition more strongly than that of the tee extrusion. All the simulation results show reasonable plastic deformation, and the applications of the method could be extended to a wide range of hydroforming processes.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.329-337
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• 2000

This study describes a pressure tracking control of hydroforming process which is used for precision forming of sheet metals. The hydroforming operation is performed in the high-pressure chamber strictly controlled by pressure control valve and by the upward motion of a punch moving at a constant speed, The pressure tracking control is very difficult to design and often does not guarantee satisfactory performances be-cause of the punch motion and the nonlinearities and uncertainties of the hydraulic components. To account for these nonlinearities and uncertainties of the process and iterative learning controller is proposed using Cerebellar Model Arithmetic Computer (CMAC). The experimental results show that the proposed learning control is superior to any fixed gain controller in the sense that it enables the system to do the same work more effectively as the number of operation increases. In addition reardless of the uncertainties and nonlinearities of the form-ing process dynamics it can be effectively applied with little a priori knowledge abuot the process.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.98-103
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• 2009

The environment and energy related problem has become one of the most important global issues in recent years. One of the most effective ways of improving the fuel efficiency of automobiles is the weight reduction. In order to obtain this goal the hydroforming technology has been adapting for the high strength steel and its application is being widened. In present study, the chassis components (mainly cross members of engine cradle) simulation and development by hydroforming technology to apply high strength steel having tensile strength of 440 MPa grade is studied. In the part design stage, it requires feasibility study and process design aided by CAE (Computer Aided Design) to confirm hydroformability in details. Overall possibility of hydroformable chassis parts could be examined by cross sectional analyses. Moreover, it is essential to ensure the formability of tube material on every forming step such as pre-bending, performing and hydroforming. In the die design stage, all the components of prototyping tool were designed and interference with press was investigated from the point of geometry and thinning.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.45-49
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• 2010

The automotive industry has shown a growing interest in tube hydroforming during the past years. The advantages of hydroforming (less thinning, a more efficient manufacturing process, etc.) can, for instance, be combined with the high strength of extra high strength steels, which are usually less formable, to produce structural automotive components which exhibit lower weight and improved service performance. Design and production of tubular components require knowledge about tube material and forming behavior during hydroforming and how the hydroforming operation itself should be controlled. These issues are studied analytically in the present paper. In this study, the whole process of rear sub-frame parts development by tube hydroforming using AA6061 material is presented. At the part design stage, it requires feasibility study and process design aided by CAE (Computer Aided Engineering) to confirm hydroformability in details. Effects of parameters such as internal pressure, axial feeding and geometry shape in automotive rear sub-frame by hydroforming process were carefully investigated. Overall possibility of hydroformable rear sub-frame parts could be examined by cross sectional analyses. Moreover, it is essential to ensure the formability of tube material on every forming step such as pre-bending and hydroforming. In addition, all the components of prototyping tool are designed and interference with press is examined from the point of geometry and thinning.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.86-92
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• 2008

Recently, the use of tubes in the manufacturing of the automobile parts has increased and therefore many automotive manufactures have tried to use hydro-forming technology. The hydro-forming technology may cause many advantages to automotive applications in terms of better structural integrity of the parts, lower cost from fewer part count, material saving, weight reduction, lower spring-back, improved strength and durability and design flexibility. In this study, the whole process of front engine cradle (or front sub-frame) parts development by tube hydro-forming using steel material having tensile strength of 440MPa grade is presented. At the part design stage, it requires feasibility study and process design aided by CAE (Computer Aided Design) to confirm hydro-formability in details. Effects of parameters such as internal pressure, axial feeding and geometry shape on automotive sub-frame by hydro-forming process were carefully investigated. Overall possibility of hydro-formable sub-frame parts could be examined by cross sectional analyses. Moreover, it is essential to ensure the formability of tube material on every forming step such as pre-bending, preforming and hydro-forming. At the die design stage, all the components of prototyping tools are designed and interference with press is examined from the point of geometry and thinning.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.905-910
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• 2010

Exhaust manifolds are the first structures to be developed by hydroforming; mass production of exhaust manifolds by this method will be possible soon. This is obviously related with tight emission regulation induced by environmental problems commonly for both domestic and worldwide and standards, thus evoking its solution for domestic automakers. Compared to conventional cast products, thin-gauge tubular hydroformed exhaust manifold have superior features; for example, in the hydroformed exhaust manifold, gas decomposition during the cold-start period of the engine is reduced by lowering the heat sink, and manufacturing process is simplified since less welding is involved. The aim of this study is to develop a hydroformed exhaust manifold; the study deals with the components, the hydroforming process, and tool design of the manifolds. The performance of the exhaust system is evaluated by performing flow analysis, heat-transfer analysis, heat-stress analysis, and fatigue analysis by using a computer.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.38-43
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• 2008

The hydroforming technology has been spreaded dramatically in automotive industry last 10 years. Itmay cause many advantages to automotive applications in terms of better structural integrity of the parts, lower cost from fewer part count, material saving, weight reduction, lower springback, improved strength and durability and design flexibility. In this study, the whole process of rear sub-frame parts development by tube hydroforming using steel material having tensile strength of 440MPa grade is presented. At the part design stage, it requires feasibility study and process design aided by CAE (Computer Aided Design) to confirm hydroformability in details. Effects of parameters such as internal pressure, axial feeding and geometry shape in automotive rear sub-frame by hydroforming process were carefully investigated. Overall possibility of hydroformable sub-frame parts could be examined by cross sectional analyses. Moreover, it is essential to ensure the formability of tube material on every forming step such as pre-bending, preforming and hydroforming. In addition, all the components of prototyping tool are designed and interference with press is examined from the point of geometry and thinning.