Simulation of Bulge Forming Process for Three-Way Tube Using Rubber Medium

Finite element model of three-way tube bulging using rubber medium was established at the software platform of ANSYS/LS-DYNA,and the tubular blank parameters were optimized.Compound bulging process was simulated after the counter balance force being designed on the basis of the axial-compressive bulging.The simulation results of axial-compressive bulging were compared with those of compound bulging,which indicated that slower thinning rate,more uniform thickness and bigger branch height could be got from compound bulging.