Technological Parameter Calculation and Stretch Forming Process Control of 3D Profile Parts

The use of the complex shaped profile parts is very frequent in automobile and aircraft industries. A general manufacturing process is the stretch forming of a rectilinear workpiece over a die. This presentation proposes a simplified method to model and simulate the stretch forming process of 3D profiles. The profile is represented as a curved beam complying with the Bernoulli’s hypothesis. This simplified model, taking into account the forming limits related to the defects appearance (fractures, wrinkles...), allows finding the laws of the profile end displacements and the forces to be applied. The simplified simulation method is being confirmed by the comparison with the results of the finite element analysis. The highly reduced calculation time and the ordinary necessary computer resources authorize the joint utilization of this simulation software and software controlling the stretch forming presses.