Use this URL to cite or link to this record in EThOS: https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.504500
Title: Incremental sheet forming : modelling and path optimisation
Author: Raithatha, Ankor Mahendra
ISNI:       0000 0004 2677 1110
Awarding Body: University of Oxford
Current Institution: University of Oxford
Date of Award: 2008
Availability of Full Text:
Access from EThOS:
Full text unavailable from EThOS. Restricted access.
Access from Institution:
Abstract:
Incremental sheet forming (ISF) is a novel metal shaping technology that is economically viable for low-volume manufacturing, customisation and rapid-prototyping. It uses a small tool that is controlled by a computer-numerically controlled sequence and the path taken by this tool over the sheet defines the product geometry. Little is currently known about how to design the tool-path to minimise geometric errors in the formed part. The work here addresses this problem by developing a model based tool-path optimisation scheme for ISF. The key issue is how to generate an efficient model for ISF to use within a path optimisation routine, since current simulation methods are too slow. A proportion of this thesis is dedicated to evaluating the applicability of the rigid plastic assumption for this purpose. Three numerical models have been produced: one based on small strain deformation, one based on limit analysis theory and another that approximates the sheet to a network of rods. All three models are formulated and solved as second-order cone programs (SOCP) and the limit analysis based model is the first demonstration of an upper-bound shell finite element (FE) problem solved as an SOCP. The models are significantly faster than commercially available FE software and simulations are compared with experimental and numerical data, from which it is shown the rigid plastic assumption is suitable for modelling deformation in ISF. The numerical models are still too slow for the path optimisation scheme, so a novel linearised model based on the concept of spatial impulse responses is also formulated and used in an optimal control based tool-path optimisation scheme for producing axisymmetric products with ISF. Off-line and on-line versions of the scheme are implemented on an ISF machine and it is shown that geometric errors are significantly reduced when using the proposed method. This work provides a new structured framework for tool-path design in ISF and it is also a novel use of feedback to compensate for geometrical errors in ISF.
Supervisor: Duncan, Stephen R. Sponsor: EPSRC
Qualification Name: Thesis (Ph.D.) Qualification Level: Doctoral
EThOS ID: uk.bl.ethos.504500  DOI: Not available
Keywords: Incremental Sheet Forming ; Numerical analysis ; Control Engineering ; Metal forming ; path optimisation ; incremental forming ; limit analysis ; metal forming ; rigid plastic
Share: