Forming strategies and Process Modelling for CNC Incremental Sheet Forming

Abstract Incremental Sheet Forming (ISF) is a process capable of producing complex sheet components by the CNC movement of a simple tool in combination with simplified dies. Earlier work revealed two major process limits, namely the limitation on the maximum achievable wall angle, and the occurrence of geometric deviations. The work detailed in this paper focuses on forming strategies to overcome these process limits, including the processing of tailor rolled blanks. Additionally, finite element modelling of the process is presented and discussed with respect to the prediction of the forming limits of ISF.