Incremental sheet forming of stainless steel

• Grant number: 12/09891-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: September 17, 2012
• End date: September 16, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Manufacturing Processes
• Principal Investigator: Luciana Montanari
• Grantee: Luciana Montanari
• Host Investigator: Paulo António Firme Martins
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), Portugal

Abstract

The current need for the constant introduction of new products in the market leads to the development of agile manufacturing techniques. Incremental forming is a new innovative and feasible solution for the rapid prototyping and the manufacturing of small batch sheet parts. During the process, the material is plastically deformed through the progressive action of a small-size spherical or semi-spherical tool, whose movement is governed by a CNC machine. This way the tool locally deforms the material practically by stretching, achieving higher forming limits than those of conventional sheet metal stamping process. The main objective of this investigation is studying the use of the Single Point Incremental Forming techniques for the production of design pieces using stainless steel. The studies are related to the mechanics of the process and the influence of different factors on the surface quality of the parts obtained. These are recent technologies that still require further scientific research on their effectiveness and economic feasibility for the process and improvements. (AU)