NUMERICAL FE MODELLING OF THE IRONING PROCESS OF ALUMINIUM ALLOY AND ITS EXPERIMENTAL VERIFICATION.

Integrated approach of physical modelling and numerical FE simulation to the strip ironing process of aluminium alloy is applied in order to investigate the material behaviour in the deformation zone depending on different influential parameters. An original strip ironing device is developed for this purpose and a series of experiments are carried out in laboratory conditions, by varying process parameters (die angle, friction conditions, workpiece and tool material etc.). FE numerical simulations of selected experiments are performed, with the same value levels of process parameter. It enables the comprehensive analysis of process physics, monitoring of coupled influence of different process parameters on material deformation and stress fields in the wall of workpiece. Numerical results show good agreement with experimental ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]