Incremental forming path-generated method based on the intermediate models of bulging simulation

This paper discusses the strategy of incremental forming and presents a novel forming strategy for tool path generation. To equalize the strain distribution of sheet metal and improve the forming limit, multistage forming is made to reference a hydraulic bulging forming. Under the liquid pressure, a plate sheet gradually approaches the final shape. A hydraulic bulging numerical simulation is used to obtain a series of intermediate surfaces. Then, CNC codes can be generated in CAM software based on the surfaces. The codes are the tool spatial feed paths for single-point incremental sheet metal forming. The paper focuses on the feasibility investigation, and the experiment proved it. The behaviors of forming and the distribution of thickness are also discussed and concluded that the forming limit of the sheet can be improved by imitating the approach between intermediate surfaces.