Blank design and formability for non-circular deep drawing processes by the finite-element method

Abstract A method of determining an optimum blank shape for non-circular deep drawing processes is investigated. The rigid–plastic finite-element method (FEM) is introduced and the computer program is developed. The ideal shape of a drawn cup with uniform wall height is assumed and the metal flow is traced backwards step-by-step to predict the initial blank shape of the ideal cup. As examples of non-circular deep-drawn products, two cases of drawn cups with quadrilateral punch shapes and a L-shaped cup are considered, the optimum blank shapes for each case being proposed and compared with experimental results.