Comparison of analytical model to experimental and numerical simulations results for tailor welded blank forming

Tailor welded blanks (TWBs) offer several notable benefits including decreased part weight, reduced manufacturing costs, and improved dimensional consistency. However the reduced formability and other characteristics of the forming process associated with TWBs has hindered the industrial utilization of this blank type for all possible applications. One concern with TWB forming is that weld line movement occurs, which alters the final location of the various materials in the TWB combination. In this technical brief an analytical model to predict the initial weld line placement necessary to satisfy the desired, final weld line location and strain at the weld line is used. Results from this model are compared to an experimental, symmetric steel TWB case and a 3D numerical simulation, nonsymmetric aluminum TWB case. This analytical model is an extension of one previously presented, but eliminates a plane strain assumption that is unrealistic for most sheet metal forming applications. Good agreement between the analytical model, experimental, and numerical simulation results with respect to initial weld line location was obtained for both cases. Results for the model with a plane strain assumption are also provided, demonstrating the importance of eliminating this assumption