Simulation and experimental verification of flexible roll forming of steel sheets

Roll forming is a sheet metal forming process that has been used for decades. Usually roll-formed sections have a constant cross section. Flexible roll forming is a brand new forming process that produces parts with variable cross sections, in which the rollers translate back and forth in a direction that is perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction. Theoretical analysis gives an explanation of the plane strain state, compressive stresses, tensile stresses, and shear stresses in flexible roll forming. In order to analyze the mechanics and the deformation characteristics of flexible roll forming, the finite element method (FEM) model of a 17-step flexible roll forming process is established. The yield criterion used in the FEM simulation is Hill 48, and the parameters of which are solved with the yield stresses under different loading conditions and are firstly verified with a plane strain tensile test. The complicated roller paths are realized with data extracted from the computer-aided design (CAD) files with VC++ programs developed by the authors. We developed the first flexible roll forming prototype machine in China, with which the roll forming experiment of a side door beam is performed. Final shapes of the experimental and numerical results are compared. It is shown that the numerical results based on Hill 48 yield criterion that is solved with yield stresses agree well with the experimental results, which indicates that the simulation model can well reflect the real forming process. Detailed analysis of the distribution and history of plastic strain, longitudinal strain, shear strain, and thickness of both the constant cross section and the variable cross section is performed, which is of great help to understand this forming process.