• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.393-400
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• 2008

Springback is one of the most difficult phenomena to analyze and control in sheet forming. Most of traditional springback control methods rely on experiences of skilled workers in industrial fields. This study focuses on prediction and generation of optimum reconfigurable die surfaces to control shape errors originated by springback. For this purpose, a deformation transfer function(DTF) was combined with finite element analysis of the springback in the 2D sheet forming model of elastic-perfectly plastic materials under the condition without blank holder. The results showed shape errors within 1% of the objective shape, which were comparable with analytically predicted errors. In addition to this theoretical analysis, DTF method was also applied to 2D and 3D sheet forming experiments. The experimental results showed ${\pm}0.5$ mm and ${\pm}1.0$ mm shape error distribution respectively, demonstrating that reconfigurable die surfaces were predicted well by the DTF method. Irrespective of material properties and sheet thickness, the DTF method was applicable not only to FEM simulation but also to 2D and 3D elasto-reconfigurable die forming. Consequently, this study shows that springback can be controlled effectively in the elasto-RDF system by using the DTF method.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.223-230
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• 2002

Matched die forming technology has been used widely as a sheet metal forming method for a long time. This conventional method, however, needs a high cost and long delivery time to prepare a set of matched dies or, in many cases, several sets of dies. For more than ten years, some alternative methods using single die or non-matched dies have been developed and applied practically in various fields of industry. Elasto-forming, fluid forming, hydro-forming, and blow forming are some examples of these new methods. Recently, a dieless sheet forming technology using a reconfigurable matrix of punch elements has been developed, and started to be used in some industries such as aircraft and railroads. A new concept of dieless forming technology has also been proposed to overcome the drawback of the conventional dieless forming technology.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Technology of Plasticity Conference
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• 2008.10a
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• pp.114-117
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• 2008

Curved thick plate forming in shipbuilding industry is currently performed by a thermal process, called as Line Heating by using gas flame torches. It was examined as an alternative way in this study to manufacture curved thick plates by the multi-punch die forming. Experiments and finite element analyses were conducted to evaluate the feasibility of the reconfigurable discrete die forming to the thick plates. Configuration of the multi-punch dies suitable for multi-curvature was investigated. As a result, single step forming by reconfigurable discrete die with scale factor improved formability.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.18 no.7
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• pp.556-564
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• 2009

Flexible forming process for sheet material using reconfigurable die is introduced based on numerical simulation. In general, this flexible forming process using the reconfigurable die has been utilized for manufacturing of curved thick plates used for hull structures, architectural structures and so on. In this study, numerical simulation of sheet metal forming process is carried out by using flexible dies model instead of conventional matched die set. The numerical simulation and experimental verification for sheet metal forming process using a flexible forming machine that is more suitable for thick plate forming process are carried out to confirm the appropriateness of the simulation process. As an elastic cushion, urethane pads are utilized using hyperelastic material model in the simulation for smoothing the forming surface which is discrete due to characteristics of the flexile die. In the flexible forming process for sheet metal, effect of a blank holder is also investigated according to blank holding methods. Formability in view of occurrence of dimples is compared with regard to the various punch sizes. Consequently, it is confirmed that the flexible forming for sheet material using urethane pad has enough capability and feasibility for manufacturing of smoothly curved surface instead of conventional die forming method.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.12-20
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• 2016

Press machines and dies are commonly used for 3D curved sheet forming. Using conventional die forming can cause economic problems since various modifications of the die shape are required depending on the product shape. Various types of flexible forming such as multi-point dieless forming (MDF), flexible incremental roll forming have been developed to improve the needed process flexibility. Although MDF can reduce the production cost using reconfigurable dies, it still has significant material loss. Drawbacks such as wrinkling, dimpling, and forming errors can also occur despite continuous investigations to mitigate these defects. A novel sheet forming process for 3D curved surfaces, a flexibly-reconfigurable roll forming (FRRF), has been recently proposed to overcome the economic and technical limitations of current practice. FRRF has no limitation on blank size in the longitudinal direction, and also minimizes or eliminates forming defects such as wrinkling and dimpling. Feasibility studies of FRRF have been conducted using FE simulations for multi-curved shapes and various sheet thicknesses. Therefore, the fabrication of a FRRF apparatus is required for any follow-up studies. In the current study, experiments with reconfigurable rollers were conducted using a simple design pre-FRRF apparatus prior to fabricating the full size FRRF apparatus. There are three candidates for the reconfigurable roller: a bar-type shaft, a flexible shaft, a ground flexible shaft. Among these candidates, the suitable reconfigurable roller for FRRF is determined through various forming tests.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.103-109
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• 2014

Flexibly-reconfigurable roll forming (FRRF), which is a sheet forming process for multi-curved sheet metal, may solve both the economic and technical problems incurred in using a conventional die forming process. In the FRRF process, the multi-curved sheet metal is formed by different strain distributions on the sheet metal, and the reconfigurable rollers are used as tools during the forming. Therefore, a thorough investigation focused on the reconfigurable rollers is required for the realization of the FRRF process prior to the fabrication of FRRF machine. In the current study, a series of finite element simulations were conducted to study the load distributions experienced by the reconfigurable roller. In order to verify the shape design variables, the effect of the metal thickness on the curvatures of sheet is also presented.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Technology of Plasticity Conference
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• 2009.10a
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• pp.281-284
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• 2009

Flexible forming process for sheet metal using reconfigurable die is introduced based on numerical simulation. Numerical simulation of sheet metal forming process is carried out by using flexible dies model instead of conventional matched die set. Elastic cushion which has high resilience behavior from excessive deformation are inserted between forming punches and blank material for smoothing the forming surface which has discrete due to characteristics of the flexile die. As an elastic cushion, urethane pads are utilized using hyperelastic material model in the simulation. Formability in view of surface defect such as onset of dimple is compared with regard to various punch sizes. Consequently, it is confirmed that the flexible forming process for sheet material has appropriate capability and feasibility for manufacturing of smoothly curved surface instead of conventional die forming process.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.341-347
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• 2017

Flexibly-reconfigurable roll forming (FRRF) is a novel sheet metal forming technology conducive to produce multi-curvature surfaces by controlling strain distribution along longitudinal direction. Reconfigurable rollers could be arranged to implement a kind of punch die set. By utilizing these reconfigurable rollers, desired curved surface can be formed. In FRRF process, three-dimensional surface is formed from two-dimensional curve. Thus, it is difficult to predict the forming result. In this study, a regression analysis was suggested to construct a predictive model for a longitudinal curvature of FRRF process. To facilitate investigation, input parameters affecting the longitudinal curvature of FRRF were determined as maximum compression value, curvature radius in the transverse direction, and initial blank width. Three-factor three-level full factorial experimental design was utilized and 27 experiments using FRRF apparatus were performed to obtain sample data of the regression model. Regression analysis was carried out using experimental results as sample data. The model used for regression analysis was a quadratic nonlinear regression model. Determination factor and root mean square root error were calculated to confirm the conformity of this model. Through goodness of fit test, this regression predictive model was verified.

• Transactions of Materials Processing
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.161-168
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• 2016

Sheet metals are often required to be formed into three dimensional curved shapes for use as skin structures. As a result various sheet metal forming methods, such as press die forming, stretch forming, and line heating have been used over the years in industrial production lines. Although they are extensively used in industry, these methods are not suitable for small quantity batch productions. Studies have been conducted to improve or replace these methods with plausible flexible forming technologies. As a part of these studies, we developed a new and more efficient forming device named flexibly-reconfigurable roll forming (FRRF). The current study presents the process development and experimental verification for the applicability of this device. To improve the efficiency of the FRRF apparatus, several hardware components were invented and a suitable operating program was developed using MFC of visual C++. The ways to make the FRRF apparatus fully functional are also described. Sheet metal was formed into three dimensional shapes using the FRRF apparatus and the final products are presented as evidence for the applicability of the developed device.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Technology of Plasticity Conference
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• 2008.05a
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• pp.220-223
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• 2008

Large curved plate blocks are widely used to construct hull structure in shipbuilding industry. Most curved plates are manufactured by using manual method called as line heating that use deformation caused by residual stress after local heating along a line which is perpendicular to the curvature direction. However, its working environment is poor and its formability is totally dependent on an experienced technician. In view of that, multi-point dieless forming (MDF) technology that use reconfigurable punch arrays instead of one piece die is proposed in this study. The MDF process is based on a concept of equivalent die surface made by numbers of punches which has round tip at the end of it. In this study, numerical simulation for common curvature type such as saddle shape was carried out. In addition, experiments in the plate forming process were also conducted to compare with the numerical results in view of final configuration. Consequently, it was noted that the proposed dieless forming method has considerable feasibility to substitute the new process for conventional manual method.