Original Article

On the relative performance of hole-flanging by incremental sheet forming and conventional press-working L Montanari1, VA Cristino2, MB Silva2 and PAF Martins2 The purpose of this article is to provide readers with a broad understanding on the deformation mechanics of hole-flanging by incremental sheet forming that will enable them to identify the major operating parameters, to determine the process formability window and to successfully design hole-flanged sheet metal parts. The methodology draws upon the utilization of circle grid analysis, measurement of the gauge length strains at the onset of fracture in a wide range of sheet formability tests, determination of the failure limits by necking and fracture and evaluation of the relative performance of hole-flanging by incremental sheet forming and conventional press-working. The presentation is illustrated with selected test cases obtained from a comprehensive experimental investigation. The overall content of this article widens and enhances previous research work by the authors in the understanding of the deformation mechanics and failure in hole-flanging by incremental sheet forming and includes new experimental data in stainless steel AISI304L