Neck-spinning quality analysis and optimization of process parameters for plunger components: Simulation and experimental study

Abstract The plunger component is a key part of the plunger pump in the aircraft hydraulic system. Neck-spinning process is commonly used to fabricate plunger components, of which the quality of the spinning process significantly affects the performance of plunger pumps. One of the bottlenecks faced by the industry in the spinning process is to choose a suitable neck-spinning process so as to ensure the quality of plunger components. It is necessary to propose a reliable method to optimize the process parameters which affect the neck-spinning quality of plunger components. In this study, a calculable finite element analysis (FEA) model is established to simulate the three-roller neck-spinning process of the plunger component, which includes six typical slipper structures, two roller structures, and two spinning parameters. The FEA model is then validated by comparing the simulated spinning forces with the corresponding experimental results. The influence of the process conditions on the neck-spinning quality is investigated. And the orthogonal simulation results are analyzed by a combination of range method and fuzzy mathematical analysis method to recommend a reasonable slipper structure, roller structure and neck-spinning parameters. This study provides a promising method to improve the manufacturing quality of the typical plunger components.