Simulation of the micro–Single Point Incremental forming process of very thin sheets

International audienceThe purpose of this paper is to simulate a complex forming process with parameters identified from tensile and shear tests. An elastic-plastic model is retained which combines a Hill’s 1948 anisotropic criterion and plastic potential using a non-associated flow rule. Firstly, a mechanical characterization is made with homogenous tests like tensile and shear tests [1]. On the other hand a process of micro Single Point Incremental forming is simulated [2]. It consists in deforming a clamped blank using a hemispherical punch which has a small diameter compared to the blank dimensions. From a small-size sheet of 0.2 mm thick, a square-based pyramid is obtained incrementally, with a define height path and advanced speed, by a tool instrumented to measure the forming force, which deforms locally the material. It is shown that the non-associated flow plasticity model leads to a good agreement between experimental and numerical results for the evolution of the punch force during the process