The effect of a field shaper in electromagnetic tube bulging

Abstract The results of experiments into the use of a field shaper for the bulging of a tube are presented and the major factors determining the final profile of the tube and the capability of the control of forming to achieve the desired profile are discussed. It is shown that an approximate prediction of the bulged shape can be given by the combination of the geometry of the field shaper and the charged energy in the condensor bank. The field shaper is usually applied to localized deformation, so that the efficiency of the process drops: however, it has great advantage in the prevention of mechanical failure of the forming coil, and is a useful and practical tool for the process.