Comparison of Texture and Surface Finish Evolution During Single Point Incremental Forming and Formability Testing of AA 7075

Single Point Incremental Forming (SPIF) is an alternative method to conventional sheet forming processes, offering cost savings for small volume production as large presses and dies are not needed. In SPIF, a rigid tool moves along a pre-defined tool path, locally deforming the sheet until the final geometry is formed. For this study, AA 7075-O sheets were formed into variable angle funnels and 45 degrees wall angle cones by SPIF. Deep drawn cups and a bulge test part were formed from the same sheet material as a comparison to SPIF. Specimens from the formed parts were sectioned and characterized for texture and surface finish at equivalent strains, but following different strain paths associated with the respective forming processes. Finite element models were used to compare the strain paths of SPIF and deep drawing.