Spring-back of MS1470 steel sheets was numerically predicted using a non-linear kinematic hardening material behavior based on the Yoshida-Uemori model. From uniaxial tension and uniaxial tension-compression-tension data as well as the uniaxial tension-unloading-tension data, the parameters of the Yoshida-Uemori model were obtained. For the numerical simulations, the Yoshida-Uemori model was implemented into the commercial finite element program, ABAQUS/Explicit and ABAQUS/Standard using the user-defined material subroutines. The model performance was validated against the measured spring-back from the benchmark problems of NUMISHEET 2008 and NUMISHEET 2011, the 2-D draw bending test and the S-rail forming test, respectively.

Recently, numerical predictions of surface deflection based on curvature analysis have been developed. In the current study, a measure of surface deflection is proposed as the maximum variation of curvature difference between the panel and the tool in order to account for surfaces that have high curvature. The current study focused on the assessment of accuracy for the surface deflection prediction with the consideration of planar anisotropy. As an example, a shallow rectangular drawn part with rectangular embossing was considered. In terms of the proposed surface deflection measure, the maximum variation of curvature difference, the prediction with a planar anisotropic model shows better correspondence with experiment than the one using a normal anisotropic model.

A radio frequency(R/F) switch connector is widely used in wireless devices such as mobile phone and navigator to check defects of the circuit board of product. The R/F switch connector shell plays a role in protecting the switch connector. Previously, this part was machined using a turning, which is time-consuming and has poor material utilization. Furthermore, the workpiece material of brass containing lead that has excellent machinability has environmentally regulated during recent years. The purpose of the current study was to develop the connector shell by forming through progressive dies including embossing, burring and forging process in order to achieve higher productivity and dimensional accuracy without tool failure. To accomplish this objective, a strip layout was designed and finite element (FE) analysis was performed for each step in the process. Try-out for the connector shell was conducted using progressive die design based on FE-analysis results. Dimensional accuracy of developed part was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The result of the investigation for the dimensions of the formed connector shell showed that the required dimensional accuracy was satisfied. Moreover, productivity using the progressive die increased four times compared to previous machining process.

In this paper, the flow lines as a function of product design as well as the forging process design are explored using typical application examples. The prediction of flow lines using metal forming simulation technology is introduced along with their characterization. Experimental studies have shown that the metal flow lines have a strong influence on the structural rigidity of the final product. In this study we present several typical applications. One example is the case of severely cut metal flow lines during machining, especially in the region where periodic contacting forces are applied. Another example is the case of abnormal distortion of flow lines which can cause too much elongation or hot shortness due to viscous heating in the region of distortion. A third example is the case of a macrosegregation region which needs to be controlled so it is not adjacent to the region where the force is applied in the use of the final component. An example of weight reduction for an automobile component with improved flow lines is also introduced. These typical applications can provide process engineers with the insight in designing automobile or mechanical components as well as in designing the manufacturing methods to produce various parts.

The current study aims to determine the limit strains more accurately and reasonably when producing a forming limit curve (FLC) from experiments. The international standard ISO 12004-2 in its recent version (2008) states that the limit major strain should be determined by using the best-fit inverse second-order parabola through the experimental strain distribution. However, in cases where fracture does not occur at the center of the specimen, due to insufficient lubrication, the inverse parabola does not give a realistic fit because of its intrinsic symmetry in shape. In this study it is demonstrated that an inverse quartic function can give a much better fit than an inverse parabola in almost all FLC test samples showing asymmetric strain distributions. Using a quartic fit creates more reliable FLCs.

Direct Laser Melting is a prototyping process whereby a 3-D part is built layer wise by melting the metal powder with laser scanning. This process is strongly influenced by the shielding gas and the laser operating parameters such as laser power, scan rate, layering thickness, and rescanning. The shielding gas is especially important in affecting the microstructure and mechanical properties. In the current study, fabrication experiments were conducted in order to analyze the effect of shielding gas on the forming characteristics of direct laser melting. Cylindrical parts were produced from a Fe-Ni-Cr powder with a 200W fiber laser. Surface quality, porosity and hardness as a function of the layering thickness and shield gas were evaluated. By decreasing the layering thickness, the surface quality improved and porosity decreased. The selection of which shield gas, Ar or $N_2$, to obtain better surface quality, lower porosity, and higher hardness was examined. The formability and mechanical properties with a $N_2$ atmosphere are better than those parts formed under an Ar atmosphere.